The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of some 360 men and women, all of whom are volunteers. There are many husband-wife combinations and many families have participated in the choir for generations. Choir members are currently limited to twenty years of participation, allowing new members to join the choir on a regular basis.
The choir was founded in August 1847, one month after the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. The choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to support their organization. Choir members are not paid for their participation or performances.
Although the choir has traditionally been recognized for its sound quality, the most recent director, Craig Jessop, a student of Robert Shaw, has made changes designed to improve the overall quality of the choir. Jessop's efforts to add vitality to the choir's sound include the formation of The Orchestra at Temple Square, the 2005 addition of The Bells on Temple Square (a hand bell choir), and continual refinement of the choir's tone, enunciation, and repetoire. The minimum age for participation has been reduced from 30 to 25. In addition, new choir members participate in The Temple Square Chorale training choir, a combination music theory/performance school led by associate director and composer/arranger Mack Wilberg.
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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.
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.
The opening stanza of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" describes the tranquil setting of the birth of Jesus. Despite the bustling world around it, Bethlehem stands still and peaceful. The quiet night is interrupted only by the "silent stars" that shine above the town. However, amidst this peaceful stillness, Bethlehem remains bright with the light of eternal hope. The lyrics convey a sense of calmness and serenity as the hopes and fears of the world converge in Bethlehem at the birth of Jesus.
The second stanza delves deeper into the story of Jesus’ birth. The shepherds who were tending their flocks at night when Jesus was born are the ones who first heard the good news. The angels appeared before them, announcing the birth of the Savior, and proclaiming “peace to men on earth”. The heavens rejoiced, and the morning stars sang to announce the holy birth of Jesus. The lyrics evoke a sense of wonder and amazement that must have overcome the shepherds that night. They beheld the extraordinary sight of angels heralding the arrival of the Savior of the world.
Overall, the lyrics of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" paint a vivid and peaceful picture of the night of Jesus' birth. It conveys a sense of hope amidst darkness, and the joy and wonder that came with the arrival of the Savior in the little town of Bethlehem.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Bethlehem, though small, is quiet and peaceful
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
The stars pass by silently, while the town remains asleep
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
Despite the darkness of the night, a bright light shines in Bethlehem
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
Bethlehem symbolizes the meeting of all hopes and fears throughout the ages, as Christ is born
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above
Christ is born of Mary, and all those above gather to witness this momentous occasion
While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love
As humans rest, angels keep vigil in wonder and love
Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth.
The morning stars come together to announce the blessed birth of Christ
And praises sing to God the king, and peace to men on earth.
Everyone sings praises to God, the king, and hopes for peace on earth
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Bethlehem, though small, is quiet and peaceful
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
The stars pass by silently, while the town remains asleep
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
Despite the darkness of the night, a bright light shines in Bethlehem
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
Bethlehem symbolizes the meeting of all hopes and fears throughout the ages, as Christ is born
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Lewis H Redner, Phillip Brooks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@WetaMantis
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 wondering love
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And Peace to men on earth
@Christabbaword
Micah 5
3Therefore Israel will be abandoned
until the time when she
HOLY EMANUELA
who is in labor bears a son,
IMMANUEL
and the rest of his brothers return
to join the Israelites.
4He will stand and shepherd his flock
in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
will reach to the ends of the earth.
@aspieangel1988
This year on December 21 the Christmas Star is supposed to appear again. There hasn’t been a Christmas Star for 800 years according to NASA. That was back in 1220. That was between BC and AD right around the time of Jesus birth. That can’t be a coincidence! I think it’s a sign of hope 😇
@compton1808
Thank you for sharing this, I liked how you pointed out that this most recent appearance of the Bethlehem star is one of hope!
@lindadawson5924
😊❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@thomasrusso8393
Merry Christmas and peace to all the nations! The birth of Jesus Christ!
@WetaMantis
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 wondering love
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And Peace to men on earth
@MrZillaman73
My 15 month baby boy sleeps to these choir songs every night.
@user-gq2ih4st9b
Thanks for the fine kind of musik and interpretion . I like the slowy kind. Thats very good. I wish all for all of holv and blessed christmas. Best greatings from Germany. Andre Frischholz
@MrPAPAGAYO46
El maravilloso Coro del Tabernáculo Mormón y la Orquesta del Templo Cuadrado de Salt Lake capital del Estado de Utah, nos interpretan "Pequeño Pueblo de Belén", con tanta devoción que conmueve los corazones de todas las confesiones cristianas; la delicadeza y brillantez de esta sublime melodía difícilmente pasa desapercibida para la inmensa mayoría de devotos creyentes en Jesús, cuando María y José esperaban fieles y pacientes la noche del milagro de Navidad con el nacimiento del Niño Dios en el humilde pesebre de Belén.
@standamerica5914
Happy Birthday Jesus, Savior of the World, King of Kings & Lord of Lords!
@thomasrusso8393
Exactly right amen!