We Three Kings

This is a carol particularly associated with Twelfth Night celebrated in most countries as the day the Three Wise Men from the East were led to the manger at Bethlehem.  Also known as "We Three Kings of Orient Are" or "The Quest of the Magi".  The words and music were written in the year 1857 by John Hopkins.  At the time of composing the carol, Hopkins served as the rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and he wrote the carol for a Christmas pageant in New York City.  Each of the kings of the Orient tells what gifts he has brought to the Christ Child in this popular carol.

O Little Town of Bethlehem

One of the few carols by American writers, this lovely hymn was composed by Phillips Brooks in 1868 while he was Episcopal Rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Philadelphia.  In 1865 he had visited the village of Bethlehem.  His Sunday School classes asked him for a Christmas song, and after writing this, he took it to the church organist for a tune.  The organist, Lewis H, Redner, says he heard this melody in a dream on Christmas Eve and finished the arrangement in time for the service next day.