O Little Town of Bethlehem

“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 all 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 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!”

This particular Christmas carol is one of my personal favorites.  I like it, not because of its deep theology (although it does have some), but because of the simplicity of the words and the music.  In my opinion, it is one of those Christmas carols that is best when played with a single instrument (a piano or a violen).  There are several words in this hymn that, unfortunately, are opposite of what Christmas has become in our society.  Those words include:

• Little – This particular word can have a couple of meanings – small or the opposite of much.  I want to focus on the “opposite of much” meaning.  Our society has become one defined by “much.”  If we are honest with ourselves, the gifts that we give and receive will, for the most part, be more of the same.  More clothes. More tools.  More toys.  More stuff.  However, the Bible reminds us in Psalms 37:16 that “A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.”  Paul reminds us in Phillipians 4:11 “… for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

• Still – Do you find yourself caught up in the busy-ness of Christmas?  Running around shopping at the malls.  Going to Christmas parties and programs.  Stressing about whether your house is clean for the company that is coming over.  Would you define the Christmas season as “still?”  Psalm 4:4 says “Stand in awe and sin not; commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still…” 

• Silently – Our church has an annual “Silent Christmas Eve” service.  The service is not totally silent because there is music playing.  However, no words are spoken during the service, and our pastor encourages us to be silent from the time we arrive at Church until the time we get back in our vehicles to go home.  It has become an important tradition for our family to participate in this service.  We listen to traditional Christmas hymns, and then take communion.  All of this done without a spoken word.  Zechariah 2:13 tells us to “Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord.  For he is raised up out of his holy habitation.”  This time of silence helps create a reverence and a focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

• Wondrously – Does Christmas still have the wonder for you?  Although Tyler is 11 years old now, he will likely not sleep much Christmas eve.  He is so excited about opening presents that he typically will not go to sleep until 3 or 4 in the morning.  I realize his excitement is because the gifts he is getting, but shouldn’t we all have a sense of wonder and amazement this time of the year.  “God became flesh and dwelt among us.”  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.”  Christmas should be a time where we are in awe of what Christ did for us on a personal level. 

• Meek – Unfortunately, in a society where the strongest wins, the aggressive reaches the top, and one either runs over or gets runned over, meekness is not a quality we see everyday.  However, the Bible has many promises for the meek.  Jesus said, “The meek shall inherit the earth.”  Isaiah 29:19 says “The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord.”  Finally, Psalm 22:26 says “The meek shall eat and be satisfied.” 

The Rolling Stones had a song in the 1960’s that says “I can’t get no satisfaction.”  That could be the theme song of America today.  Things do not satisfy.  Money doesn’t satisfy.  Power doesn’t satisfy.  We are surrounded by a world looking for satisfaction, but not finding it.  We as Christians, however, can act differently this time of year.  We can live differently – contented, satisfied, and meek.  People will notice that difference because it is opposite of how the world typically acts.

Finally, when Christ was born in Bethlehem, King Herod was the ruler of the day.  Just outside of Bethlehem was a palace/fortress built by King Herod called the Herodian.  The ruins of this palace are still around today and this palace could be seen from Bethlehem.  The earthly King Herod lived in splendor and opulence.  The Jews of the day probably wanted the Messiah to come as a King with power and strength like Herod.  However, Jesus came exactly the opposite.  He came as a baby.  He came in a still, silent way.  He was not born to a well-to-do family, but likely was born into poverty.  God’s ways are different than the world’s way.  He wants us to live differently than the world lives.  Not to bring ourselves honor and glory.  But to live as a servant, like Christ, so that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.  That’s what the shepherds and angels did in the “Little Town of Bethlehem” two thousand years ago.