O Little Town of Bethlehem

About the Carol

"O Little Town of Bethlehem" was first written by Phillips Brooks (1835-1893) in 1868. He was inspired to write the lyrics after visiting Bethlehem in 1865, which was then in the Sanjak of Jerusalem in the Ottoman Empire.

Lyrics ^{Back to Top ↑}

Analysis of Carol ^{Back to Top ↑}

True. Jesus said, As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.^{John 9:5}

While we do not know when Jesus was born, we know that the angels visited the shepherds at night. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.^{Luke 2:8}

The morning stars sang at the creation of the world, and there is little doubt that they would sing at the birth of Jesus. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?^{Job 38:4, 7}

It is interesting that angels and men sing about Jesus bringing peace to men on earth when he said, Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division.^{Luke 12:51}

Except this is not necessarily true. If it were, the New Testament writers would not write, Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.^{James 5:8} Or But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.^{1st Peter 3:15}

Contrary to this line, Jesus's second coming will be obvious. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.^{Matthew 24:27}

Jesus did say in the Sermon on the Mount, Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.^{Matthew 5:5}

Jesus ascended to heaven on a cloud, and he will descend from heaven back to us. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.^{Acts 1:9-11}

Is the author thinking Jesus will come again through birth? As covered above, this would be incorrect.