o little town of bethlehem (4.4)
Every December, on the last meeting before Christmas break, my theater ensemble would gather together and create an embodied reenactment of the Christmas story. We split into small groups, and, using movement, song, and rhythm, told the story of Jesus’ descent in four parts: the Annunciation (the angel’s visit to Mary), the Incarnation (the Word became Flesh), the Nativity (the birth of Jesus), and the angel’s announcement to the shepherds. It was truly a joyous time, leaving us filled up, often weepy and washed anew with a profound peace. It is one of my favorite traditions I have ever had the privilege to participate in.
But, perhaps the best part of all, was at the end of it all, when we would sit in a circle on the dark carpeted ground, as the moonlight shone through the wall of windows beside us, and our director, leaning against the wall, would take out a red hymnal and read aloud the lyrics to the third verse of Christmas hymn, O Little Town of Bethlehem.
How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is giv'n!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heav'n.
No ear may hear his coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still
The dear Christ enters in.
And then, we would all sing it. It was like magic. I had never before heard that verse of the hymn, and I remember it striking me anew as I contemplated the gentleness of Christmas, like a hushed lullaby.
To this day, these are my favorite lyrics to any Christmas carol. They are beautiful, simple, profound. I am enthralled with the idea of Christ coming silently, un-impressively, to the hearts that are quiet enough to hear him. To the people whose hearts want to receive the gift of the presence of the God come as a baby. It is like a whispered reminder that, in spite of the terrible behavior of people we trusted, in spite of the blatant hatred running our world, in spite of the pain, illness, injustice, virus, cruelty, in spite of our hypocrisy, anger, racism, assault, greed, prejudice, violence, Christ chose to come. Silently entering us, whispering God’s love to us, forgiving us, standing before us, steadying us. That we might bring his meekness, his blessing, his justice, his light into our world.
Today, listen to the music, and spend a few minutes looking at the art and meditating on the lyrics of O Little Town of Bethlehem. How is your heart today, as Christmas draws near and the dear Christ enters in? Are you open to receiving the quiet gift? Can you hear it?
For this final carol, set your timer for ten minutes and, depending on how you feel today, either sit in the silence with God, or create something- journal, poem, drawing, a dance, a song, anything!- based on the lyrics or in response to the above questions.
You are so brave, and so loved, dear friends.
o little town of bethlehem
artwork by Mariah Ziemer
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 wond'ring 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 giv'n!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heav'n.
No ear may hear his coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still
The dear Christ enters in.
Where children pure and happy
Pray to the blessed Child
Where misery cries out to Thee
Son of the mother mild
Where charity stands watching
And faith holds wide the door
The dark night wakes the glory breaks
And Christmas comes once more
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!
