O Little Town of Bethlehem, ELW 279 and LBW 41
1 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.
2 For Christ is born of Mary, and, gathered all above
while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondr'ing love.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the king, and peace to all the earth!
3 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.
4 O holy child of Bethlehem, descent 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;
oh, come to us, abide with us, our Lord Immanuel!
Devotion
Singing creates places we can travel to only in our imaginations. As a little girl sitting in the pew with my family, I used to imagine traveling to Jesus' birth place. What did it look like? Who would be there? Could I join in the celebration, too? Currently, the flying bullets and wounded bodies littering the terrain of the Middle East break our hearts. I still only dare sing about it.
Prayer
God of all healing and consolation, comfort all families and victims of violence and war. Shield all who dwell in dangerous places, risking lives in service to neighbor. Wipe away all tears and sorrow until we one day greet eternal rest in your holy protection. Abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel. Amen.