A Ministry of:
BIBLE REFERENCE:
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he
come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Micah 5:2
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call
his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which
being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world
should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be
taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into
Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the
days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped
him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there
were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the
angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore
afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall
be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this
[shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And
suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in
the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:1-14
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he
come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Micah 5:2
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call
his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which
being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world
should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be
taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into
Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the
days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped
him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there
were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the
angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore
afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall
be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this
[shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And
suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in
the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:1-14
Phillips Brooks - Lyrics
1835-1893
1835-1893
Born: December 13, 1835, Boston, Massachusetts.
Died: January 23, 1893, Boston, Massachusetts.
Buried: Mount Auburn Cemetery, Boston, Massachusetts
Died: January 23, 1893, Boston, Massachusetts.
Buried: Mount Auburn Cemetery, Boston, Massachusetts
Lewis Henry Redner - Composer
1830-1908
1830-1908
Born: December 15, 1830, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Died: August 29, 1908, Hotel Marlborough, Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Buried: Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Died: August 29, 1908, Hotel Marlborough, Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Buried: Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
HYMN HISTORY:
This beautiful and simple Christmas carol was written by one of America’s greatest preachers of the past
century, Phillips Brooks. Most of his published sermons have become classics. In his day he was often
referred to as " The Prince of the Pulpit.”
“O Little Town of Bethlehem” was written by Brooks in 1868, several years after he had returned from a trip to
the Holy Land. The experience of spending Christmas Eve in Bethlehem and worshipping in the Church of the
Nativity made an unforgettable impression upon the young preacher.
Three years later, while pastor at the Holy Trinity Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was searching for a
new Christmas carol for the church children to sing in their Sunday School Christmas program. Brooks wrote
this about his experience:
This beautiful and simple Christmas carol was written by one of America’s greatest preachers of the past
century, Phillips Brooks. Most of his published sermons have become classics. In his day he was often
referred to as " The Prince of the Pulpit.”
“O Little Town of Bethlehem” was written by Brooks in 1868, several years after he had returned from a trip to
the Holy Land. The experience of spending Christmas Eve in Bethlehem and worshipping in the Church of the
Nativity made an unforgettable impression upon the young preacher.
Three years later, while pastor at the Holy Trinity Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was searching for a
new Christmas carol for the church children to sing in their Sunday School Christmas program. Brooks wrote
this about his experience:
"I remember standing in the old church in Bethlehem, close to the spot where Jesus was born, when
the whole church was ringing hour after hour with splendid hymns of praise to God, how again and
again it seemed as if I could hear voices I knew well, telling each other of the Wonderful Night of the
Savior’s birth."
the whole church was ringing hour after hour with splendid hymns of praise to God, how again and
again it seemed as if I could hear voices I knew well, telling each other of the Wonderful Night of the
Savior’s birth."
The lasting memory of his Holy Land visit inspired Books to write these beautiful words to this hymn.
Brooks gave a copy of his newly written carol to his organist and Sunday School superintendent, Lewis H.
Redner, and asked him to compose a simple and pretty melody that children could sing. Redner was a
devoted Christian leader in Sunday School as well as one deeply interested in church music. He struggled for
a considerable time to compose just the right tune for his pastor’s words. On the evening before the program
was to be given, he suddenly awakened from deep sleep and quickly composed this beautiful melody. Redner
always insisted that the tune was a gift from heaven. This carol was an immediate favorite with children and
adults around the world right up to the present time. It was first published in 1874. Brooks wrote many other
Christmas and Easter carols especially for children, but this one is the only one to survive the test of time.
Phillips Brooks was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1835. In 1859 he graduated from Harvard and the
Episcopal Theological Seminary in Virginia. He then began a long and distinguished career serving as pastor
in Philadelphia at the Trinity Church in Boston. He was appointed Bishop of all of the Episcopal churches
Massachusetts shortly before his untimely death.
One of Brooks favorite pastime was sitting on the floor of his study sharing a fun time with a group of
youngsters. His sudden death was greatly mourned by everyone who knew him. Brooks was especially fond
of children, the story is told of a five year old girl who was upset because she had not seen her preacher friend
for several days. When told by her mother that Bishop Brooks had gone to heaven, the child exclaimed, “Oh,
Mama, how happy the angels will be.”
Brooks gave a copy of his newly written carol to his organist and Sunday School superintendent, Lewis H.
Redner, and asked him to compose a simple and pretty melody that children could sing. Redner was a
devoted Christian leader in Sunday School as well as one deeply interested in church music. He struggled for
a considerable time to compose just the right tune for his pastor’s words. On the evening before the program
was to be given, he suddenly awakened from deep sleep and quickly composed this beautiful melody. Redner
always insisted that the tune was a gift from heaven. This carol was an immediate favorite with children and
adults around the world right up to the present time. It was first published in 1874. Brooks wrote many other
Christmas and Easter carols especially for children, but this one is the only one to survive the test of time.
Phillips Brooks was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1835. In 1859 he graduated from Harvard and the
Episcopal Theological Seminary in Virginia. He then began a long and distinguished career serving as pastor
in Philadelphia at the Trinity Church in Boston. He was appointed Bishop of all of the Episcopal churches
Massachusetts shortly before his untimely death.
One of Brooks favorite pastime was sitting on the floor of his study sharing a fun time with a group of
youngsters. His sudden death was greatly mourned by everyone who knew him. Brooks was especially fond
of children, the story is told of a five year old girl who was upset because she had not seen her preacher friend
for several days. When told by her mother that Bishop Brooks had gone to heaven, the child exclaimed, “Oh,
Mama, how happy the angels will be.”
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 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 Lord Emmanuel!
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 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 Lord Emmanuel!
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Jesus left the splendor of heaven, to suffer the shame of the cross for my sins and yours. I am reminded of a
song whose chorus says, If that isn't love, then heaven is a myth. There's no feeling like this, if that isn't love.
John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." During this Christmas season we as Christians have the
wonderful opportunity to tell others of the Savior who was born in a stable and how by His sinless life and His
death on the cross made a way to have eternal life. Give the gift of life this year by sharing with someone
God's gift to man. We pray that this Christmas your thoughts will be drawn to a greater appreciation to the
sacrifice that Christ made at Calvary. Please visit our Christmas Hymns Page and enjoy the hymns.
Yours in Christ, Tom & Myra
Jesus left the splendor of heaven, to suffer the shame of the cross for my sins and yours. I am reminded of a
song whose chorus says, If that isn't love, then heaven is a myth. There's no feeling like this, if that isn't love.
John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." During this Christmas season we as Christians have the
wonderful opportunity to tell others of the Savior who was born in a stable and how by His sinless life and His
death on the cross made a way to have eternal life. Give the gift of life this year by sharing with someone
God's gift to man. We pray that this Christmas your thoughts will be drawn to a greater appreciation to the
sacrifice that Christ made at Calvary. Please visit our Christmas Hymns Page and enjoy the hymns.
Yours in Christ, Tom & Myra