^“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans^[b] of Judah,
out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”  Micah 5:2

We may not know much about Bethlehem, but an image has been imprinted on our minds by the beloved Christmas Carol, “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”  The familiar words were written by Phillip Brooks.

Brooks was an American preacher and patriot who made the long and arduous journey to the Holy Lands in 1865.  On December 24^th he traveled on horseback from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, about five miles south-southwest and situated in the hill country of Judah.  There, we’re told, Brooks attended a five-hour Christmas musical celebration at the Church of the Nativity.  This church is located near the hillside where the shepherds heard the very first Christmas song. 

It was three years later at Christmas time, when Brook recalled that magical night in Bethlehem  and wrote a song for the children’s choir of his church.  His organist put a melody to the words and on Christmas Eve 1868, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” was sung for the very first time.

When we sing this beloved Christmas carol, we too picture the silence of the night, we picture the quiet of a small village in the hillside.   And we know that out of this humble place our Savior was born.  The first stanza sets the scene for us.

“Oh 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.

As we sing the familiar words, we pray that God will also descend to us, be born in us, and abide with us.  This is my prayer for you.

Judy