For Christ Is Born

Phillips Brooks was troubled, Christmas was only two weeks away, and as pastor and Sunday School supervisor at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Philadelphia, he was in charge of the Christmas Day services.

One afternoon Pastor Brooks shared his troubled feelings with Mr. Redner, the church organist and a Sunday School teacher. “I wish I could find a way to help our people truly appreciate the wonderful meaning of the birth of Christ,” the pastor said. “Many people seem to think that the story of Bethlehem and Christ’s birth is only an ancient fairy tale.”

Mr. Redner nodded. “Yes, I’m afraid you’re right. It is difficult to make people, especially children, realize that the events at Bethlehem really happened—that the story is true.”

“If our people just could have been with me when I visited the Holy Land three years ago,” Pastor Brooks said softly. “I can remember standing on a hillside and watching the shepherds tending their flocks. It was Christmas Eve, and in the distance I could see the tiny lights shining from Bethlehem. How I wish all our people might have been with me that night!”

“Ah, yes. I believe all of us might better appreciate Christmas with such memories as you have,” Mr. Redner agreed.

Pastor Brooks gazed out of his front window. A few snowflakes twirled in the wind like tiny ballerinas. Suddenly he turned around.

“Mr. Redner, do you suppose if I wrote about how I felt that night that you might compose a melody for my words? Perhaps with a special Christmas song, our people would better understand the meaning of that first Christmas long ago.”

“But—but I only play music written by others.”

“And you play beautifully. Now it is time you tried writing some music of your own. Please—will you try?”

Mr. Redner nodded.

In the days that followed, Pastor Brooks spent many hours at his desk. Again and again he struggled to find just the right words to say what he wanted. Finally, the day before the Christmas program, he hurried to Mr. Redner’s home with a single sheet of paper.

“This is fine work,” Mr. Redner said as he read the poem the pastor had written. “I only hope my melody will be worthy of your words.”

Now it was Mr. Redner who struggled. He sat at the church organ for hours that day and through the night. It was late Christmas Eve before he finished composing. The Church of the Holy Trinity was crowded Christmas Day, and Pastor Brooks was somewhat nervous as he gave his Christmas sermon. He hoped the people would enjoy the surprise song soon to be sung.

As Mr. Redner seated himself at the church organ, the Sunday School children filed quietly to their places nearby. In their hands they carried the words and music to a new song. “I will play the entire melody once,” Mr. Redner whispered. “It is simple enough so that all of you will be able to sing it.”

Pastor Brooks listened closely to the lovely organ music Mr. Redner had composed. Each chord blended perfectly: Then, with clear and gentle voices, the children sang the new Christmas song:

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 morals 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 men on earth…

Today “O Little Town of Bethlehem” is over one hundred years old. Pastor Brooks’ Christmas surprise has brought joy and beauty to millions of people—and continues to do so every Christmas season.

-- Dave Collins