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 ever lasting 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 wond'ring 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 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 heard the christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us
Our lord emmanuel