December 15

121 O Little Town of Bethlehem

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 wondering love.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King and peace to all the earth.

How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.

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!

Devotion

Prayerfully contemplate the painting. Observe the objects depicted. Observe the manner in which they are depicted. For example, consider places of light versus shadow, the perspective used, the placement of the musical notation and lyrics, the placement of the nativity. How does each component capture the words of the hymn? How does each component tell the story of Christ’s coming and God’s promises to humankind? For example, in the night sky there are many stars. They not only “together proclaim the holy birth” but remind me of Genesis 22:17 where God promises Abraham: “I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore.“ Do not rush; God is in the details. Perhaps take notes. Come back to the painting more than once. This is holy gazing.

Jennifer Pierce and John Page

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Christ to abide with us. Help us to remember each moment of every day the hope, salvation, and peace that is found in Christ. Amen.