“O Little Town of Bethlehem”
“O Little Town of Bethlehem” tells of the birth of Jesus. It was inspired by a traveler's Christmas Eve experience in the Holy Lands.
Phillip Brooks was a distinguished, intellectual man of faith. An Episcopalian preacher, he earned a Doctorate of Divinity from University of Oxford, taught at Yale University, and publicly advocated against slavery during Civil War.
He’s best known, though, for writing "O Little Town of Bethlehem" after a life-changing pilgrimage.
In 1865, Brooks rode from Jerusalem to Bethlehem and participated in Church of the Nativity's five hour Christmas Eve celebration. Returning home, the experience had been so profound that he penned the song still sung in churches to this day.
