First Line: O little town of Bethlehem

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 to-night!

2 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 !

3 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.

4 O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray ;
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born in us to-day!
We hear the holy angels
The great glad tidings tell,
Oh, come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel !