17 DECEMBER 2023

 

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Most of you reading this will not have heard of Phillips Brooks, but in the mid to late Nineteenth century he was regarded as one of the best preachers of his day.

He was also a man of extremes. He was heavily criticized at times for having “suspect theology”, enjoyed driving fast horses, (remember – the car had not been invented yet!) and loved books, sweets, and ice drinks. Coffee was a cup of sugar with the coffee then poured in and for years his mother pleaded with him to stop smoking! Brooks described his ideal holiday as “plenty of books, time, and tobacco.”

But he was an inspiring preacher who encouraged and strengthened people of all ages and from all walks of life. And he loved teaching children the truths of the Bible.

In 1868 he decided to write a song for the upcoming children’s Christmas service, and he used as his inspiration his visit to Bethlehem three years earlier. On that visit, on Christmas Eve, he rode by horseback from Jerusalem to Bethlehem and found himself that evening looking out on the shepherds’ fields where the angels announced the birth of the Saviour.

Describing his experience to the children of his church he said:

“I remember especially on Christmas Eve, when I was standing in the old church in Bethlehem, close to the spot where Jesus was born, how again and again it seemed as if I could hear voices I knew well, telling each other of the ‘wonderful night’ of the Savior’s birth.”

Drawing on that experience, he wrote “O little town of Bethlehem” and the church organist, Lewis Redner, set it to music.

The beauty and simplicity of Bethlehem that impressed him so greatly is poignantly captured by the words he wrote:

“O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.”

Simple words that express a profound truth.

What is your favourite children’s Christmas Carol?