Category: Christmas

Posted on

Angels We Have Heard on High

In 1855 the French carol, Les Anges dan Nos Campagnes, was first published.  The tune, which tells of the angelic announcement of Christ’s birth, was later translated gloria in excelsis deoand published into English.  This refrain of the classic song takes the text from Luke 2:14 and provides the message the shepherds heard more than 2000 years ago; “Glory to God in the highest…”  Singing in Latin, we hear the angel’s song translated, “Gloria, in excelsis Deo!”

Each of the four verses build upon the shepherds experience and what they might have said following the angelic appearance.  “We have heard angels on high sweetly singing across the plain…” Perhaps as they ‘went back glorifying and praising God…’ they were asked “Shepherds, why are you so excited (jubilant)?  What good news (glad tidings) do you have?”  Perhaps they would have responded (and we sing), ‘Come to Bethlehem and see…’

But perhaps the most interesting part of this carol is to WHOM the angels first appeared.  Not the priest in shepherds-watched-their-flocksJerusalem, nor the scribes and scholars.  They didn’t even appear before the high ranking Jew’s leaders, the ones who were studied and anticipating the Messiah.  Instead, the angels appeared to the lowly shepherds.  Some have even concluded that perhaps these men tending their flocks were the same men who annually supplied lambs for the Passover sacrifices.  Just think, they left the lambs for God to meet the Lamb of God.

If we can better understand some of these songs of the season I believe we’ll be better equipped to not only sing them, but appreciate them.  Our “Christmas Song of the Day”…
.Angels We Have Heard on High.

 

Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o’er the plains
And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains

CHORUS:

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heavenly song?
Come to Bethlehem and see Him Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
See Him in a manger laid Jesus Lord of heaven and earth;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, While our hearts in love we raise.
Posted on

O Holy Night

Each of us enjoy hobbies that help to pass the time.  Some sew, some read and some would rather ‘play.’  Some like to walk and talk while others like to sing.  But for some, writing is their favorite.  Self publishers and bloggers are evidence of the fact.  But this isn’t a new found favorite.  In 1847, the mayor of Roquemaure, France enjoyed writing poetry, and from his pen he wrote a gentle song inspired by the gospel of John in the 3rd chapter.  His poem, O HolyAngel Shepherds Night has come to be recognized as a song of inspiration and love during the Christmas season.  Why…
“for God so loved the world that He gave His only Son!”

The song captures the essence of ‘the night’ as we read Luke 2:8, ‘In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.’  Reading the message that was sung by the angels we envision Placide Clappeau, our author, calling the listener to “Fall on your knees, and to (O) hear the angel voices!”  The scripture never alludes to the shepherds taking this humble position (bowing their knees), but knowing they “…came in a hurry…’ to see the new baby and ‘went back glorifying and praising God…” would make it safe to conclude they might have surely fallen to their knees.

December is almost half gone, but we continue to look at the rich meaning surrounding these favorite songs of the season.  This “Christmas Song of the Day”…O Holy Night.

 

Oh holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear’d and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine Oh night divine Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger (NOTE: Matthew 2, “…coming into the house they saw the Child…”)
In all our trials born to be our friend (and.. Luke 19, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”)

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name

Posted on

Joy to the World

joy to the worldTwo brilliant song writers, separated by almost a century of time and half a world apart, created of one of the most recognizable ‘Christmas hymns’ ever sung.  Issac Watts and Lowell Mason were musical icons who blazed new trails for spiritual renewal.  Their work has touched the hearts of God-fearing men, women and children for generations.  Yet as they penned the words and drafted the scales of this classic favorite, they never realized how much they were blessing the world with this cherished ‘Christmas anthem.’

Isaac WattsPsalm 98 provides the message that Issac Watts needed for the hymn we know as ‘Joy to the World.’  Reading the words penned by the Psalmist in verses 4, 7 & 8 we see the inspiration; “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song…let the sea resound…the world, and all who live in it…let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord…”  The strength of this song comes was we consider the words of the angel in Luke chapter 2, “…I bring you great joy which will be for all people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord…’ (Additionally, this work from Issac Watts was set in common meter, and ‘Joy to the World’ was originally sung to the tune of ‘Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.’

lowell mason

Born in 1792, Lowell Mason grew up in the early years of American history.  A native of New Jersey, he was raised with a love for spiritual hymns.  His ability to compose music for worship was highlighted in the early 1800’s as he taught Sunday school in Georgia.  His musical popularity escalated in the late 1820’s when 50,000 copies of his self-published song book were ordered by Handel & Haydn Society of Massachusetts.  But one of his great accomplishments came in 1836 when Mason composed a new melody inspired by Handel’s Messiah.  The completed melody was an exuberant ode called ‘Antioch.’  It’s name inspired by the Syrian city were followers of Christ were first called ‘Christians.’  But this new master piece lacked the proper message to fit the melody…until he found Watt’s ‘Joy to the World.’

As December continues to roll along we’ll continue to explore and learn more about some of the songs of the season.  This “Christmas Song of the Day”…Joy to the World.

 

Joy to the world! The Lord is come let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room and heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing and heaven, and heaven and nature sing

Joy to the world! the Savior reigns let men their songs employ
While fields and floods rocks, hills and plains repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy repeat, repeat the sounding joy

No more let sin and sorrow grow nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found
Far as the curse is found far as, far as the curse is found

He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness and wonders of his love
And wonders of his love and wonders and wonders of his love

Posted on

Breath of Heaven

God’s word is complete and gives us all we need for salvation in Christ Jesus.  We know the scripture is ‘God breathed’ and we are secure in following His word.  Still there are some things within its pages that we don’t know.  Questions like, what was Jesus like as a child?  And, question markwhatever happened to Joseph (Jesus’ earthly father)?  Or, how did Mary cope with the news of her first pregnancy?  We only know what we read in the scripture, but many have tried to fill in the blanks to these questions.

In 1993 Ken Young penned the words to a song we have sung hundreds of times before the Lord’s Supper, Thomas’ Song.  Written from the view point of the apostle Thomas (doubting Thomas) we get a man’s interpretation as to what Thomas may have been feeling after learning of Christ’s resurrection. John 20:25-28 gives us the exact account, but we often like to imagine what Thomas might have said, “Jesus, You were all to me, why did You die on Calvary?  O Lamb of God I fail to see how this could be part of the plan.  If I could only hold your hand…”

In similar fashion, Amy Grant and Chris Eaton teamed up produce a song mirroring the possible thoughts and prayingfeelings of Mary, the mother of Jesus.  How did she feel carrying the Son of God?  Was she confused and scared, or was she excited and confident?  We only know what we read in the scriptures (Luke 1:26-38).  There we read, “Mary was greatly troubled…” (vs. 29) and her questioning, “How will this be…?” (vs. 34) as well as her humble acknowledgment, “I am the Lord’s servant…”.  And yet, as we continue in this passage, we read she had more to say.  She said,“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant.  From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is His name.” (vs. 46-49)

Was she uncertain? Perhaps. Was she grateful? Certainly.  But would that we all draw some encouragement as Mary might well have silently prayed that God would be with her.  This ‘Christmas hymn’ recognizes that God’s breath gives life (Genesis 1) and as the resurrected Messiah ‘breathed on His disciples’ (John 20:22), so Mary may have longed for God to give her the breath of heaven.

Enjoy this acapella version of a relatively new, popular Christmas song. Remember to check back later this month as we explore more ‘seasonal’ favorites.  This “Christmas Song of the Day”…Mary’s Song (Breath of Heaven).


I have traveled many moonless nights Cold and weary with a babe inside
And I wonder what I’ve done Holy Father you have come
And chosen me now To carry your son

I am waiting in a silent prayer I am frightened by the load I bear
In a world as cold as stone Must I walk this path alone

Be with me now Be with me now[Chorus:]
Breath of heaven Hold me together
Be forever near me Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven Lighten my darkness
Pour over me your holiness For you are holy Breath of heaven Do you wonder as you watch my face If a wiser one should have had my place
But I offer all I am For the mercy of your plan
Help me be strong Help me be Help me
[Chorus:]
Breath of heaven Hold me together
Be forever near me Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven Lighten my darkness
Pour over me your holiness For you are holy Breath of heaven
Posted on

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

o come EmmanuelAs we consider this hymn many call a ‘Christmas song,’ we find it ancient in not only its text, but in the music as well.  The tune you most certainly know it by (made popular in the 1800’s) actually finds its origin from the medieval times.  The lack of strict rhythmic measures gives the tune a free-flowing style.  You can almost hear the simple intervals as they echo through an old, stone cathedral.

Like many hymns of worship, the text of this song provides a rich source for Christian meditation as we notice that each stanza concentrates on a specific Biblical name for Christ.  Jesus is God with us, “Emmanuel.”  He is the “Wisdom from on high” and the “the Lord of might.”  We read in the scripture He is called “the Rod of Jesse” (Isaiah 11:1) and the “Key of David” (Isaiah 22:22) “…and the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.”  Jesus is the ‘Dayspring’ (17: 76-79); “…And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”  Certainly, our Savior is the “Desire of Nations” (Haggai 2:7) “…and I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.”  The prophets of old wrote and today we sing of our Savior, Emmanuel.

Consider this old, ‘Christmas Hymn’ as we take this month to look at and explore some familiar favorites.  The “Song of the Day”…O Come, O Come Emmanuel.

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Chorus: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel,
shall come to thee o Israel!
O come, Thou Wisdom, from on high, and order all things far and nigh;
to us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go.
O come, o come, Thou Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times did give the law, in cloud, and majesty, and awe.
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse’s stem, from ev’ry foe deliver them
that trust Thy mighty power to save, and give them vict’ry o’er the grave.
O come, Thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heav’nly home,
make safe the way that leads on high, that we no more have cause to sigh.
O come, Thou Dayspring from on high, and cheer us by thy drawing nigh;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death’s dark shadow put to flight.
O come, Desire of the nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind;
bid every strife and quarrel cease and fill the world with heaven’s peace.