Last of the Critter Carols! We're watching the sun set on 2018 and also on the little town of Bethlehem.
Oh Little Town of Bethlehem is a popular Christmas carol whose lyrics were written by Philip Brooks with music by Lewis Redner. Brooks, an Episcopal priest in Philadelphia was inspired to pen the tune after a visit to the village of Bethlehem, Israel in 1865. Three years after his visit he composed the poem and asked his friend and church organist to write the music. According to Redner he was asked to write a "simple tune" for the Sunday School service but he procrastinated about getting the task done. On the Friday before said Sunday Brooks asked Redner if he'd written the tune and Redner said he'd have it done in time. According to Redner he was roused from sleep in the middle of the night by the whispering of an angel in his ear. He grabbed paper and pen and quickly wrote down the treble tune we know today. On Sunday morning before the service he filled in the harmony and the carol was published soon after that.
A very colorful photo for the last one. This will always be a favorite of mine as my dad taught me to sing it when I was a child. I never hear it but what I think of him
Thank you Kathy, Babe, and Jo! We're spending New Year's Day with our family. I'll be catching up with you soon.
Thank you Lou Ann, Henri, Haskar, Katy (what a lovely memory!), and Helen!