- O little town of Bethlehem, how
still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars
go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting
Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in
thee tonight.
- For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all
above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of
wond’ring love.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men
on earth!
- How silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift
is giv’n;
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His
Heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of
sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear
Christ enters in.
- Where children pure and happy pray to the
blessed Child,
Where misery cries out to Thee, Son of the mother
mild;
Where charity stands watching and faith holds wide
the door,
The dark night wakes, the glory breaks, and
Christmas comes once more.
- O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we
pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us
today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings
tell;
Oh, come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
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