The Back Story: "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

Rev Cathy Reflects

Wednesday December 1, 2021  

                Christmas is four weeks away and for some radio stations

and television channels, the music of this special season has already been playing for two weeks. There are numerous ‘covers’ of Frosty the Snowman, and  “White Christmas” sung by many artists. But of course once cannot forget, “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” as one of the classic songs!

                Throughout Advent, I will be sharing the stories behind the beloved carols/ hymns of Christmas unfortunately which are not as well known as they once were. But these songs have withstood the test of time because of their melodies, lyrics and mostly the memories which they stir up in our hearts.

The hymn,  “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, was written in 1868 by Phillips Brooks. He was the minister of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. Having traveled to the Holy Land three years before, he wrote this hymn recalling the peaceful view of 19^th Century Bethlehem from the hills of Palestine. The lyrics describe the dark and quiet beauty of this little town, which welcomed the Infant Jesus as the angels watched. The melody gives us a peaceful approach to the words and offers a prayer of thanksgiving with hope.

One verse of this hymn, which is rarely sung, teaches us Jesus’ purpose in coming to us and how Christmas comes to us all again.

Where children pure and happ,y  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.

As we sing this hymn, let us remember that Christmas can come again in our human hearts. All we need to do is pray:

“O holy child of Bethlehem! Descend to us (me), we(I) pray; cast out our sin and enter in, be born in me (us) today.” Amen.

May God comfort and keep you in these days of hope and peace