A Little Town With a Big ImpactSýnishorn

The 1860s were a very dark time for our nation. The Civil War had taken a devastating toll on our nation. One pastor, Philips Brooks, noticed that there seemed to be an ever-increasing number of women in his church who were wearing black, mourning the loss of a husband or son in the fighting. It became so depressing he could hardly find the inspiration to encourage his church anymore.

Then, just days after the war ended, the big blow came. President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. As his body was brought by train back to Springfield, Illinois, there were several funeral stops along the way. At one of these stops in Philadelphia, Pastor Philips Brooks eulogized the fallen President. He drew from the last part of his well of strength in an attempt to console the hurting nation.

Afterward, he was so burned out that he asked his church for a sabbatical. Journeying to the Holy Land, he found himself refreshed and re-energized in Jerusalem. On Christmas Eve, he borrowed a horse and began riding towards the little town of Bethlehem. There, in a church, he heard the wonderful Christmas songs being sung. As he rode back to Jerusalem, he was so inspired by the thought of the Savior entering the world in this little town that he began to pen the words we now know and love:

“Oh, little town of Bethlehem how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the Everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.”

Now, we do not know the exact day our Savior was born, but soon we will celebrate His birth. Perhaps right now your world looks like it did to Philips Brooks. All you can see is darkness. You feel drained, hurt, and alone. A loved one has left you. A family member has passed. The holidays seem to hold only bad memories of the past.

In your darkness, look up, the Everlasting Light is shining! Jesus wants to be your Savior. He is the Light of the World, and He longs to be your Friend and your Light.