How silently, how silently,
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still
The dear Christ enters in.
PHILLIPS BROOKS
From the hymn "O Little Town of Bethlehem" (ca. 1868)
This is Christmas: not the tinsel, not the giving and receiving, not even the carols, but the humble heart that receives anew the wondrous gift, the Christ.
FRANK McKIBBEN
Quoted in An American Christmas
(Ideals Publications Incorporated, 1996)
