Day 7 | O Little Town of Bethlehem

Scripture to Ponder: Micah 5 + John 7:40-52

An unassuming town with a shortage of rooms to let, Bethlehem would not have likely been your first choice for the birth of the most important person to ever live. Nevertheless, Bethlehem had produced royalty once before, and God had said king far greater than David would be born there. Yet, only shepherds and farm animals bore witness to the miraculous birth of Christ in the little town that night. Even as Jesus began his ministry, the Pharisees doubted his validity in part due to his humble beginnings. But no one spoke like the prophet from Bethlehem. No one ever will. Thanks be to the holy Child of Bethlehem, who takes our sins and dwells with us.

O Little Town of Bethlehem | Phillips Brooks
1868

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

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.

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