This week in Christian history: ‘Left Behind’ released, ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem,’ John Machen
‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ first sung — December 27, 1868
This week marks the anniversary of when the Christmas carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem” was first performed at the Church of the Holy Trinity of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The carol was authored by church rector Phillips Brooks and performed by a choir of 36 children, using a tune composed by the church organist, Lewis Redner.
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Brooks was said to have been inspired to write the hymn following a trip to the Holy Land two years earlier in 1866, according to the Christian History Institute.
“I remember especially on Christmas Eve, when I was standing in the old church in Bethlehem, close to the spot where Jesus was born, when the whole church was ringing hour after hour with the splendid hymns of praise to God,” said Brooks, as quoted by the Institute.
“… again and again it seemed as if I could hear voices I knew well, telling each other of the ‘wonderful night’ of the Savior’s birth.”
