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O little town of bethlehem, |
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How still we see the lie! |
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Above thy deep and dreamless sleep |
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The silent stars go by; |
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Yet in thy dark streets shineth |
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The everlasting light; |
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The hopes and fears of all the years |
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Are met in thee to-night. |
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For christ is born of mary, |
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And gathered all above, |
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While mortals sleep, the angels keep |
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Their watch of wondering love. |
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O morning stars, together |
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Proclaim the holy birth! |
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And praises sing to god the king, |
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And peace to men on earth. |
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How silently, how silently, |
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The wondrous gift is given! |
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So god imparts to human hearts |
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The blessings of his heaven. |
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No ear may hear his coming, |
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But in this world of sin, |
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Where meek souls will receive him, still |
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The dear christ enters in. |
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Where children pure and happy |
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Pray to the blessed child, |
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Where misery cries out to thee, |
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Son of the mother mild; |
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Where charity stands watching |
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And faith holds wide the door, |
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The dark night wakes, the glory breaks, |
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And christmas comes once more. |
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O holy child of bethlehem! |
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Descend to us, we pray; |
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Cast out our sin and enter in, |
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Be born in us to-day. |
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We hear the christmas angels |
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The great glad tidings tell; |
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O come to us, abide with us, |
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Our lord emmanuel! |
