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 hope and fears of all the years
Are met in thee to-night

O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King,
And peace to men on earth.
For Christ is born of Mary;
And gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wond'ring love.

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is giv'n;
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heav'n;
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 in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell,
O come to us, abide with us,
Our dear Emmanuel.