Phillips Brooks – O Little Town Of Bethlehem

Phillips Brooks was a 19th-century American Episcopal clergyman who is best known for writing the hymn O Little Town Of Bethlehem.  He became an ordained priest in 1860 and published several books on his sermons, including The Purpose and Use of Comfort (1878).  He received honorary degrees from Harvard, Columbia, and University of Oxford for his work.

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1. What message does the song communicate?

It sees things from Bethehem’s perspective, unaware that a virgin gave birth to Immanuel and the hope that He brings to the world.  It does not know that the angels visited some local shepherds, announcing Christ’s birth and prompting them to check it out.  When told about these things, many people are closed-minded.  They hear, but do not listen.  They are aware, but do not trust in Jesus.  Yet, some people will humble themselves, forsake their sin, and follow Jesus.

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

This song draws inspiration from the Bible’s Christmas story without straying from Biblical concepts.

This song is public domain.

[Verse 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.

Amid the sleepy little town that is Bethlehem shines a bright star.  Not the star that guided the Magi, but the light that is Jesus, the hope for mankind (John 1:1-8, John 8:12, and Ephesians 5:14).

[Verse 2]

For Christ is born of Mary,

The virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:18-25, and Luke 2:1-7).

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 the earth.

Probably a reference to Luke 2:8-14, where an angel announces Christ’s birth to some local shepherds while a multitude of angels praise God and ascend to heaven.  The angels say, “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased”.  Lucifer was a “morning star” that fell (Isaiah 14:12), so it doesn’t seem like a stretch to reference the other angels as “morning stars”.

[Verse 3]

How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is giv’n!

In the context of Bethlehem, it doesn’t see anything unusual about a woman giving birth to a child.  The Father’s gift for humanity was offered silently.  It wasn’t until after Jesus was born that the aforementioned angels informed the shepherds about what took place.  It also doesn’t say how long it took the shepherds to find Jesus before telling others about Him (Luke 2:15-20).

So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of his heav’n.

This is a subtle reference to the cross, where forgiveness is possible due to Christ’s shed blood (Hebrews 9:22).

No ear may hear his coming,

Not that they don’t hear, but they choose not to (Isaiah 6:10, Zechariah 7:11, Matthew 13:15, Mark 4:12, and Acts 28:27).

but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him, still
the dear Christ enters in.

Though the world is filled with sinners (Psalm 14:1-3, Psalm 53:1-3, Job 15:14, Ecclesiastes 7:20, Jeremiah 17:9, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, and 1 John 1:8-10), some will allow Christ to enter their hearts (2 Corinthians 13:5, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 3:17, Colossians 1:27, and Revelation 3:20).  Matthew 7:13 contrasts the few that find eternal life and the many that will enter eternal damnation.

[Verse 4]

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!

A prayer offered to Jesus that we would do as Verse 3, lines 6-8 prescribes, receiving the blessings therein.  “Immanuel” is a reference to Isaiah 7:14 that was fulfilled in Matthew 1:22-23.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

This is an obvious Christmas song, complete with the town of Bethlehem, angels, baby Jesus, and Mary.  Verse 4 is overtly evangelistic, pleading with unbelievers to become Christians.

Although unbelievers might interpret sin as mistakes and not lawbreaking, this song contrasts sin with the meekness of the world and calls them to forsake it for the Son of God.  In this context, the former conclusion is a moot point.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God that it proclaims Jesus as the hope for mankind and faithfully adapts the visiting shepherds and multitude of angels who informed them about Christ’s birth.  It tells us that some won’t pay attention while others will confess Jesus as Lord, calling us to the latter.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Phillips Brooks’ O Little Town Of Bethlehem is great.  It speaks of a town unaware of the unremarkable virgin birth, the angels that proclaimed Him, and the shepherds that visited Jesus.  Even when they find out about it, they are perplexed but don’t pay much attention to this “Jesus” person.  Still, a select few will forsake their sin and worship Him, giving glory to God.  Unbelievers will recognize this, alongside Brooks’ attempt to push them to become Christians.

This song is evangelistic and proclaims to God His value and worth.  Therefore, it is appropriate for corporate worship.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: O Little Town Of Bethlehem (listen to Gaither Vocal Band’s version of this song)

Artist: Phillips Brooks

Album: N/A

Genre: Christmas, Hymn

Release Year: 1868

Duration: N/A

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Updates:

10/06/2023 – Re-examined this song for corporate worship and subsequently altered the review’s end.