BarlowGirl is a Christian rock group. Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, the b… Read Full Bio ↴BarlowGirl is a Christian rock group. Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, the band is made up of three sisters: Rebecca, Lauren, and Alyssa Barlow.

BarlowGirl's Philosophy
The band has gained a following with their "Anti-Conformity" message of "Don't be conformed, be Transformed" from Romans 12:1-2. Besides believing in abstinence and modesty, the band has also taken a stand on not dating, but their main message remains that people should look to God for love and security, and he will bring everything else into our lives. Very simply, trust God. They encourage people to trust the unseen. Just because you can't see God doesn't mean He isn't there!

Self Titled Debut Album
BarlowGirl instantly hit the spotlight in 2004 with their acclaimed self-titled debut album, coupled with the success of its first single, Never Alone. The longest running No. 1 song in 2004 on R&R’s CHR and CRW Rock charts, Never Alone was named "Song of the Year" on each of these charts. The CD has sold over 250,000 units (as of April 2005) and featured the singles Never Alone and Mirror which both garnered much airplay on Christian radio stations. These number one songs earned the trio four 2005 GMA (Gospel Music Association) awards (formerly the Dove Award) award nominations, including the prestigious Best New Artist award, Best Rock Song and Rock Album. The trio was the best selling new Christian artist of 2004. BarlowGirl received a 2006 GMA award nomination for Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year for Mirror.

Another Journal Entry
Their second album, Another Journal Entry, was released on September 27, 2005. The first single from the album, Let Go, had already begun receiving airplay on Christian radio stations. Their next single from this album, I Need You to Love Me, has also received recent some airplay on some Christian radio stations after the album's debut. The album debuted at #3 on Soundscan's Christian album chart, and, as of Oct. 10, is at 85 on Billboards Top 200 Current Albums chart. The trio was nominated for three additional 2006 GMA (Gospel Music Association) awards: Group of the Year, Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year, and and Rock Recorded Song of the Year for Let Go.

O Little Town of Bethlehem
BarlowGirl Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 shine'th
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 wondering love
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth!
And praises sing to God the King,
And peace to men on earth

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,

O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel!

Overall Meaning

The song "O Little Town of Bethlehem" by BarlowGirl is a lovely hymn that captures the essence of a quiet and peaceful Christmas night in Bethlehem, where Jesus Christ was born. The opening lines describe the town as being still and silent, covered by a deep and dreamless sleep, as the stars silently pass over it. However, amidst the darkness of the streets, the hymn reminds us of the light that shines from the birth of Christ, and how his coming brought hope and relieved the fears of all the people.

In the second verse, the song talks about the angels keeping watch above the town as Christ was born to Mary. The morning stars announce the holy birth, and all the celestial beings sing praises to God the king, and proclaim peace to all people on earth. The third and last verse of the hymn implores Jesus Christ to enter into our hearts, purifying us of our sins, and be born into our lives on this very day of Christmas. The hymn finally ends with the desire to have Jesus abide with us and be our Lord Emmanuel.

Line by Line Meaning

O little town of Bethlehem,
Oh, small town of Bethlehem,

How still we see thee lie!
We see you lying still and quiet!

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
Over your deep and peaceful slumber,

The silent stars go by,
The quiet stars pass by,

Yet in thy dark streets shine'th
Yet in your dark streets shines brightly,

The everlasting Light,
The light that never fades away,

The hopes and fears of all the years
The aspirations and worries of all time,

Are met in thee tonight
Are all fulfilled and satisfied in you tonight

For Christ is born of Mary,
Because Christ was born to Mary,

And gathered all above,
And gathered all the angels above,

While mortals sleep, the angels keep
As ordinary people sleep, the angels watch over,