Singing from Advent to Epiphany
Christmas Carols - Part 3
Luke 2:14, It Came upon the Midnight Clear
Psalm 42:1-6a; Psalm 121, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (vs. 4)
John 1:1-5, 14, O Come, All Ye Faithful (vs. 3)
Psalm 119:174-176, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
John 11:21-27, 34-44, Good Christian Men, Rejoice (vs. 3)
More Songs for Advent through Epiphany
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Luke 2:14, It Came upon the Midnight Clear (12/17/2009)
Have you seen this bumper sticker?
"Know God, Know Peace;
No God, No Peace."
It's pertinent to today's Christmas carol, and it's an accurate commentary on today's scripture. We all learned in Sunday School and in Christmas carols and cards that the angels said, "Peace on earth, good will to men," that is, to all people. But it turns out that the best and oldest manuscripts (not available to early translators) have something slightly different: "Peace on earth to men who have [God's] good will." The sad fact is that even Christmas doesn't bring peace and good will to all. Peace comes only to those who have God's good will through knowing God. I don't normally recommend bumper-sticker theology, but this particular one is correct.
It came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth, To touch their harps of gold;
"Peace on the earth, good will to men, From heaven's all-gracious King."
The world in solemn stillness lay, To hear the angels sing.
Psalm 42:1-6a; Psalm 121, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (vs. 4) (12/21/2009)
One thing wrong with "Happy Holidays!" is that not everyone is happy during the holidays. If you are sick in body, mind, or soul; if you have lost a loved one recently; if you are helpless, homeless, or hungry, then it may be impossible for you to feel happy. That's okay. God's shoulders are big enough to take on our sorrow.
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."
– (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1867, vss. 1, 3, 4)
John 1:1-5, 14, O Come, All Ye Faithful (vs. 3) (12/23/2009)
The incarnation is one of the two or three greatest mysteries of the Christian faith. Remember that "mystery" does not, biblically speaking, mean "a problem to be solved." Instead, it means "a secret," which can only be revealed. God spoke the universe into existence, and later that word became a person. How? It's a mystery.
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning,
Jesus, to thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!
Psalm 119:174-176, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen (12/24/2009)
The best of the Christmas carols contain the entire gospel message. Today's carol hearkens back to the ancient image of God's people as a flock of sheep, prone to go astray and wander into the paths of Satan. What comfort and joy to know that Jesus Christ was born to come after us!
God rest you merry, gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay,
For Jesus Christ our Savior Was born upon this day,
To save us all from Satan's power When we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy!
John 11:21-27, 34-44, Good Christian Men, Rejoice (vs. 3) (Christmas Day, 12/25/2009)
To "evangelize" people is to tell them good news. "Evangel" means "good news." Any Christmas carol I happen to be listening to tends to be my favorite, but today's carol may be my
favorite favorite. It's got a great tune and a cheerful tempo, and the words contain almost the entire gospel, which, by the way, also means "good news." I especially like the last verse, which is the good news that Jesus brought to Martha and Mary.
Good Christian men rejoice
With heart and soul and voice!
Give ye heed to what we say
News! News!
Jesus Christ is born today!
Ox and ass before Him bow
And He is in the manger now
Christ is born today;
Christ is born today!
Good Christian men, rejoice
With heart and soul and voice!
Now ye hear of endless bliss
Joy! Joy!
Jesus Christ was born for this
He hath ope'd the heav'nly door
And man is blessed evermore
Christ was born for this;
Christ was born for this!
Good Christian men, rejoice
With heart and soul and voice
Now ye need not fear the grave:
Peace! Peace!
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all
To gain His everlasting hall
Christ was born to save;
Christ was born to save!
More Songs for Advent through Epiphany
Advent Psalms
Christmas Carols - Part 1
Christmas Carols - Part 2
Hanukkah Songs
Epiphany Hymns
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