O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Maranatha! Christmas Lyrics
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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
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 given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still,
The dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born to us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel
The lyrics to Maranatha! Christmas's song 'O Little Town of Bethlehem' speak to the quiet and peaceful nature of the town of Bethlehem, where the birth of Christ took place. The song sets the tone by describing the town as still and dreaming, a place where even the stars move silently. However, in the midst of the town's peacefulness, the song recognizes the significance of the newborn king. The lyricist portrays Bethlehem as a place where the "hopes and fears of all the years are met," emphasizing the importance of the event to all humanity.
The second stanza of the song builds on this idea by recognizing the presence of angels in the town, keeping watch over the newborn king. The song describes the angels' proclamation of the holy birth and their singing of praises to God, recognizing the connection between the birth and the divine. In the third and final stanza, the song asks for the holy child of Bethlehem to come to the listener and enter their life, a symbol of the power and impact of Christ's birth on the world.
Overall, the lyrics of 'O Little Town of Bethlehem' offer a powerful and meaningful depiction of the significance of Christ's birth and the peacefulness of the town where it took place.
Line by Line Meaning
O little town of Bethlehem
Addressing the town of Bethlehem, where the birth of Jesus took place.
How still we see thee lie
The town appears quiet and peaceful as everyone is asleep.
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The town is so calm that it seems to be in a state of deep sleep.
The silent stars go by
The stars in the sky give the only sound that can be heard in the town.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
Even though the streets are dark, there is hope shining from the birth of Jesus.
The everlasting Light
Jesus is referred to as the everlasting light who will guide humanity forever.
The hopes and fears of all the years
The birth of Jesus brings together the expectations and anxieties of all generations.
Are met in thee tonight
Jesus's birth is significant as it is the culmination of centuries of prophecy and people's aspirations.
For Christ is born of Mary
Mary is mentioned as the mother of Jesus who was born as the prophesied messiah.
And gathered all above
All heavenly beings gathered above to witness the birth of Jesus.
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
While people are sleeping, angels are awake to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Their watch of wondering love
Angels are filled with wonder and love when they experience the birth of Jesus.
O morning stars together
Morning stars are mentioned as if they are rejoicing and singing together.
Proclaim the holy birth
The angels announce the holy birth of Jesus to the world.
And praises sing to God the King
Celestial beings sing praises to the almighty God, the supreme ruler of the universe.
And Peace to men on earth
The birth of Jesus brings peace and happiness to humans on Earth.
How silently, how silently
Jesus's birth is characterized by silence as even the people are unaware of it.
The wondrous gift is given!
Jesus's birth is an extraordinary gift that was given to the world.
So God imparts to human hearts
Jesus's birth marked the beginning of God imparting love and kindness in every human's heart.
The blessings of His heaven.
The blessings that come from heaven will be showered upon the humans as part of God's plan.
No ear may hear His coming,
Jesus's arrival was silent and did not make any sound that could be heard with human ears.
But in this world of sin,
Jesus came to the world full of sinners to teach love and compassion.
Where meek souls will receive him still,
Jesus's love and teachings will be embraced by humble and simple people.
The dear Christ enters in.
Jesus enters into people's hearts and lives as a cherished guide and friend.
O holy Child of Bethlehem
Jesus is addressed as the holy child born in Bethlehem.
Descend to us, we pray
People are asking Jesus to come into their lives and be with them.
Cast out our sin and enter in
People request Jesus to remove any impurities in their lives and invite Him in.
Be born to us today
People seek Jesus to be re-born in their hearts every day of their lives.
We hear the Christmas angels
The angels of Christmas are heard and felt in people's hearts.
The great glad tidings tell
Angels share good news, which brings joy to people.
O come to us, abide with us
People invite Jesus to come and live with them forever.
Our Lord Emmanuel
Jesus is recognized as the heavenly Lord assigned to mortal people's affairs.
Writer(s): Lewis H Redner, Harry Simeone, Phillip Brooks
Contributed by Sophie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@SoCalDario
Nice surprise to see this beautiful hymn exalting the birth of Christ on this channel.
@arnlmndza
I love your version/arrangement of the song. May we use it in our worship services this advent season? I can provide you with our church details should you require it. Thank you and God bless.
@TheLordshinnok
Ok video my fears death (I hate Mortals I mortal Feel I go Everlasting Light Not Every) I wish never die Think my hopes broken.