O Little Town of Bethlehem (new version)

1. O little town of Bethlehem,

So still in our minds’ eye

With candle lights and starlit nights,

And angels drawing nigh.

Yet in thy dark streets soundeth

The echoed wails of grief,

Of ancient fears, of bombs and tears,

Of agony and strife.

2. For Christ was born of Mary

And Joseph, born in love;

But soldiers came, in someone’s name,

With something left to prove.

So Mary brought up Jesus

In lands broken and cursed,

To preach and sing of no more kings,

Of peace to all the Earth.

3. How desperately, how desperately

That peace is needed now,

Which Love imparts to human hearts

To flower and to grow.

Our ears are numbed by anguish,

Cries from this world of sin.

Our weak souls yearn to feel the burn

Of Sacred Power within.

4. O holy Child of Bethlehem,

Reveal to us thy Way

Of justice, peace, and healing Grace;

Be born in us today.

We are the Christmas angels;

Help us glad tidings tell.

O walk with us, shine forth through us:

Each one, Emmanuel!