O Little Town of Bethlehem

"O little town of Bethlehem How still we see thee lieAbove thy deep and dreamless sleepThe silent stars go byYet in thy dark streets shinethThe everlasting LightThe hopes and fears of all the yearsAre met in thee tonightFor Christ is born of MaryAnd gathered all aboveWhile mortals sleep, the angels keepTheir watch of wondering loveO morning stars togetherProclaim the holy birthAnd praises sing to God the KingAnd Peace to men on earthHow silently, how silentlyThe wondrous gift is given!So God imparts to human heartsThe blessings of His heaven.No ear may his His coming,But in this world of sin,Where meek souls will receive him still,The dear Christ enters in.O holy Child of BethlehemDescend to us, we prayCast out our sin and enter inBe born to us todayWe hear the Christmas angelsThe great glad tidings tellO come to us, abide with usOur Lord Emmanuel"

On the afternoon of Christmas Eve, we sing familiar Christmas songs at church, visit family, eat lots of food, and other traditions. However when I listened to a message by my former pastor on the afternoon of Christmas Eve, I am struck with this song "O Little Town of Bethlehem." Oh I am sure you have sang it before but maybe what you didn't look at the lyrics ever so closely. Look at the words "Hopes and Fears". Can we be hopeful about something at the same time fearful simulataneously? Maybe we are hopeful that we will get a job, but also fearful if we don't get it then where will we look next. Can you relate? What would it take for you to be completely hopeful about something? To be hopeful maybe means to be completed and fullfilled. How about fearful? To worry, be concerned, the uncertainty about the present, the future. The hopes and fears is not found in an event, religion, but a person. That person is the Lord Jesus Christ. Do you know that He can trump over any circumstance? He can destroy fear and remove it? He didn't come to avoid the hopes and fears but be right down in the center of it all. Do you know Him? Have you given up hope? Jesus can meet you wherever you are at. He is the hope of the world. He is the "hope of Glory" and no matter what you are going through, He is there to bring you to His side so you will no longer fear but know He has conquered the fear and will abide with you until we meet Him in Heaven.