December 27th Daily Devotion

HYMNS OF ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS  

O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM 

Bethlehem was a couple hour walk from the Temple in Jerusalem. It was a small town, historians estimate, of 1,000 to 3,000 population at the time Jesus was born. The people living there were farmers, small shop keepers and craftsmen usually associated with such towns. Its only claim to fame was it was the ancestral home of David. 

When the Magi came to Jerusalem looking for the new born king of Israel, the chief priests, and teachers of the law, consulted by Herod for guidance knew of Micah’s promise: “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.” 

It is obvious, then, that the birth of Jesus in the insignificant town of Bethlehem was not by happenstance. God, through Micah, 700 or so years prior to Jesus’ birth had included the place of the Messiah’s birth in Old Testament prophesies. God used the Roman government to bring about the fulfillment of Micah’s prophecy by requiring a census in Israel that mandated that Joseph and Mary would be in Bethlehem, Joeseph’s ancestral home, but most important the place God chose for His Son to be born. 

Rev. Phillip Brooks went on a spiritual pilgrimage to the Holy land in 1865. His time during this pilgrimage made an impression upon him as he rode on horseback through the fields outside of Bethlehem and absorbed the town itself so much so, that upon his return to his parish in Philadelphia, PA he penned the words to the hymn we now know as “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” Several years later he requested his congregation’s organist to set the words to music for the children of the congregation to sing during their special Christmas children’s service.   

Today, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” remains one of the most popular Christmas hymns throughout the Christian and even secular world.   

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 wond’ring love,
O morning stars together Proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the king  And peace to all 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 Immanuel.

O Little Town of Bethlehem // LSB 361