A lullaby is a song for lulling a baby to sleep. It’s a cradle song. Lullabies are very simple songs that are easy to sing. The words are simple too. The messages in a lullaby are always full of comfort. They are peaceful, sweet songs. Lullabies are meant to be sung softly and tenderly.

Lullabies and babies seem to go together: Of all the Christmas hymns we sing, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” is one of the sweetest, loveliest carols. It’s easy to think that on the night baby Jesus was born, Mary sang a lullaby to Him. After all, it was dark and cold. The floor of the stable was dirty and damp. Dust from the hay and straw floated in the air. A cool night draft probably sent a chill through Mary. Baby Jesus squirmed in her arms, and she tightened the swaddling cloth around Him. She wanted to comfort her baby and show Him how much she loved Him.

Music for "Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem" Download a larger copy (pdf) Read the lyrics Hear an audio sample (Real Audio) from Christmas Carols for a Kid's Heart CD

Maybe Mary remembered times when her mother sang to her when she was little. And so as Mary touched the cheek of Jesus, perhaps a lullaby — one that she remembered from her childhood — came to mind, and she tenderly began to sing. I can picture little baby Jesus relaxing in her arms.

Listen to the words of “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” O Little Town of Bethlehem, how still we see the lie. Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent starts go by; yet in they dark streets shineth, the everlasting Light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

This lovely, gentle Christmas hymn is a very simple song that is easy to sing. The words are simple too. The message in “O Little Town of Bethlehem” is full of comfort. It is a peaceful, sweet song, meant to be sung softly and tenderly. Yet as simple and sweet as this song — this lullaby — is, its message is powerful. Think of it. All the hopes, all the dreams and visions that any one of us could ever have, all the wonder and imagination . . . all of it was met that quiet night in Bethlehem. All of it was met in the birth of Jesus, your Savior and mine.

If ever you have trouble getting to sleep, try singing to yourself (you won’t have to be embarrassed if you sing off-key!). If ever you toss and turn in bed feeling anxious, sing yourself a lullaby! Memorize the words to this special Christmas hymn. The words are full of comfort, and soon – before you can even count sheep – you will drift off to sleep. You’ll sleep as sweetly and soundly as a newborn baby. For you will be reminding yourself of wonderfully comforting things . . . of powerful things: 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.

Now that’s a peaceful, comforting lullaby that will chase away any fear or worry in the middle of the night when you can’t get to sleep. There’s no need to fuss. Just turn over in bed, fluff your pillow, and pray — or rather, sing — “O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.”

Also consider sharing with your kids the meaning behind the lyrics to The Twelve Days of Christmas this year.