O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Chris Botti Lyrics


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Oh 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 wondering love
Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth.
And praises sing to God the king, and peace to men on earth.

Oh 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.

Overall Meaning

In Chris Botti's rendition of "O Little Town of Bethlehem," the lyrics describe Bethlehem as a peaceful and serene town, as the singer marvels at the stillness and quiet that encompasses the surroundings. The stars in the sky shine silently above, which serves as a contrast between the loud and energetic season of Christmas, and the peaceful atmosphere of Bethlehem. Despite the quietness, it is described as a place where the light of Christ can still shine brightly, bringing hope to those who fear.


The song then talks about the birth of Jesus Christ and how he brought people together, as Mary brought people together to witness the miracle of the Son of God being born. The heavenly angels are also watching over the event, filled with wonder and love, as they praise God for the arrival of his son. The song then ends again with a focus on Bethlehem, acknowledging that it is in this small town where the hopes and fears of all people have been met tonight, forever changing the course of history.


In summary, Chris Botti's adaptation of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" serves as a reminder of the simplicity and humility of Christ's birth, as well as the powerful impact it had on history.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Despite the chaos of this world, the town of Bethlehem remains calm and peaceful.


Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
As the night falls, the stars silently watch over the town, deep in its slumber.


Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
In spite of the darkness that surrounds it, the town is illuminated by a light that will never fade away.


The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
All the hopes and fears that people have experienced throughout the ages come together in this one moment, in this one town.


For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above
Jesus, the son of God, has been born to Mary and all the hosts of heaven rejoice.


While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love
Even as humans sleep, the angels keep a watch over them, filled with love and wonder at this miraculous event.


Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth.
The stars in the sky burst into song, heralding the arrival of the holy child.


And praises sing to God the king, and peace to men on earth.
All of creation sings praises to God, the king of all things, and peace is brought to humanity.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lewis H Redner, Phillip Brooks

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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