Sunday Blessings

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 men 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 blessèd 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 Emmanuel!

~"O Little Town of Bethlehem" by Phillips Brooks (lyrics) and Lewis H. Redner (music)~

I hope y'all have a wonderful Sunday this third week of Advent!

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." ~Micah 5:2

P.S. If you're wondering why I have not been on here much this past week . . . Last night was my dance studio's Christmas recital, and every day last week we either had dance class or a dress rehearsal, giving me very little time to focus on much else. On top of that, I had two of my midterm exams last Thursday and three more this coming Thursday. All that to say, it's been a busy week. :P But you will see more of me from now on, as I have lots of delightfully Christmas-y posts planned. :)