The Story of "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

In 1865, a minister, Phillip Brooks, took a trip to Palestine. The adventure left Brooks in Bethlehem during Christmas week. The trip made a distinct impression upon him, but the poem he would eventually write as a result of his travels didn't come for almost three years.

Three years later while Brooks got ready for his Christmas program and services, he remembered his visit to the Holy Land and the impressions and inspiration of which seemed to be permanently impressed upon his soul. The still vivid memory moved the pastor-poet to portray his sentiments and emotions in a beautiful poem, written especially with the children of his parish in mind. He captured the wonder of that first Christmas in a carol:

"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 his 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"

The day following the writing of this carol Mr. Lewis Redner, the church organist, came entered the minister's study, Brooks handed him a piece of paper on which he had written his new poem.

"Lewis," he said to his friend and co-worker, "why not write a new tune for my poem?"

Redner grinned as he read over the five stanzas and replied, "I'll do what I can, Phillips." Brooks encouraged Redner to compose a tune quickly, since the Christmas service was only days away!

Although he had plenty of time in which to compose the song, Redner procrastinated until it was almost too late. When Brooks inquired about the tune, Redner gave the pastor his frustrated answer of, "No inspiration!"

The night before Brooks had planned for a group of children to sing the song, Redner had yet to compose with a single line of music. During the night, Redner suddenly awakened from his sleep, with a tune ringing in his ears! He wrote the melody down as quicklyly as he could and then fell back to sleep.

The next morning a group of Sunday School teachers and children sang it on December 27, 1868. Brooks, sitting in the back of the room, was delighted to hear the children sing his song. The carol was an immediate favorite with everyone--especially the children.

Brooks died on January 23, 1893, in his 58th year. He was loved by all who came in contact with him, and his sudden death was greatly mourned by everyone who knew him. The story is told of a five-year-old girl who was upset because she hadn't seen her preacher friend for several days. When told by her mother that Dr. Bishop Phillips Brooks had gone to Heaven, the child exclaimed, "Oh, Mama, how happy the angels will be!"

Learn to play beautiful Christmas Carols on your piano -- click here