In Bethlehem, in Jewry, This blessed babe was born, And laid within a manger, Upon this blessed morn; The which His mother, Mary, Nothing did take in scorn. From God our Heavenly Father, Brought tidings of the same: "Fear not," then said the angel, "Let nothing you affright, This day is born a Saviour Of virtue, power, and might, So frequently to vanquish all The friends of Satan quite." The shepherds at these tidings But when to Bethlehem they came, Whereat this infant lay, Where oxen feed on hay, Unto the Lord did pray. Now to the Lord sing praises, And with true love and brotherhood "O Little Town of Bethlehem " 203 O tidings of comfort and joy! Was born in Christmas Day. Unknown "O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM" O LITTLE town of Bethlehem, 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. For Christ is born of Mary, And, gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep Proclaim the holy birth! And praises sing to God the King, How silently, how silently, Where meek souls will receive Him still, O holy Child of Bethlehem! Descend to us, we pray; We hear the Christmas angels Our Lord Emmanuel! Phillips Brooks (1835-1893] A CHRISTMAS HYMN IT was the calm and silent night! Seven hundred years and fifty-three Had Rome been growing up to might, And now was Queen of land and sea. Held undisturbed their ancient reign, 'Twas in the calm and silent night! His breast with thoughts of boundless sway; What recked the Roman what befell A paltry province far away, Within that province far away Went plodding home a weary boor: A streak of light before him lay, Fall'n through a half-shut stable door The air how calm and cold and thin, Centuries ago! Shepherds Watched Their Flocks" O strange indifference!-low and high Drowsed over common joys and cares: One that shall thrill the world for ever! It is the calm and solemn night! A thousand bells ring out, and throw To it a happy name is given; For in that stable lay new-born The peaceful Prince of Earth and Heaven, Centuries ago. 205 Alfred Domett [1811-1887] "WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED THEIR FLOCKS BY NIGHT" WHILE shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around. "Fear not," said he, for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind; "Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind. "To you, in David's town, this day The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, And this shall be the sign: "The heavenly babe you there shall find All meanly wrapped in swaddling bands, Thus spake the seraph; and forthwith Of angels, praising God, who thus "All glory be to God on high, And to the earth be peace; Good will henceforth from Heaven to men Begin and never cease." Nahum Tate [1652–1715) CHRISTMAS CAROLS It came upon the midnight clear, From heaven's all-gracious King" The world in solemn stillness lay Still through the cloven skies they come Above its sad and lowly plains They bend on hovering wing, And ever o'er its Babel-sounds The blessed angels sing. But with the woes of sin and strife |