Peter B. Cornell
Composer

The well-loved Christmas hymn, "O little town of Bethlehem" is brought to life in this lovely, delicate setting. As proclaimed by distant morning stars, How Silently highlights the wondrous gift of Christ, which continues to bless ever so quietly and gently, and without need of fanfare. "How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is given; ... still The dear Christ enters in."

This composition is available in solo voice and SATB choir arrangements.

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.

O morning stars, together
    Proclaim the holy Birth!
And praises sing to God the King,
    And peace to men on earth;
Where Charity stands watching
    And Faith holds wide the door,
The dark night wakes, the glory breaks,
    And Christmas comes once more.

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.