Grace Livingston Hill spent most of her adult life in Philadelphia, and she must have dearly loved it. The city and its surroundings play a part in many of her books and those who study them can walk with her characters through the streets and into many of the buildings still standing today.
One of these landmarks is The Church of the Holy Trinity on Rittenhouse Square. This beautiful church was most likely the one "across the square" in The Girl from Montana. O Little Town of Bethlehem has a deep connection to Philadelphia. Rev. Phillips Brooks, who wrote the words to this beloved carol in 1868, pastored The Church of the Holy Trinity at that time. Today, its sanctuary is graced by a lovely mural of the Christmas Story.
We know that Grace attended an evening service there on December 7, 1919. There was an Organ Recital at half-past seven, and the Organist, Mr. Ralph Kinder, was "assisted by" Miss Ruth Glover Hill, Violinist. Ruth was an accomplished and much-sought-after soloist.
As GLH readers know, Grace's favorite hymns are often woven into her storylines. O Little Town of Bethlehem appears many times in both books and short stories like Astra (Chapter 15), The Christmas Bride (Chapter 21), and Something Quite Forgotten (from Miss Lavinia's Call). Did we miss one? This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
Words by Phillips Brooks, 1867 and Music by Lewis H. Redner, 1868
Click to listen via MIDI ~ Right click to download MIDI
O 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.
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth!
How silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift is giv’n;
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His Heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.
Where children pure and happy pray to the blessèd Child,
Where misery cries out to Thee, Son of the mother mild;
Where charity stands watching and faith holds wide the door,
The dark night wakes, the glory breaks, and Christmas comes once more.
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!