The Music of Advent – Part 4

The Music of Advent – Part 4   

“O Little Town of Bethlehem,” is a favorite Advent/Christmas hymn in days past as well as in modern times. The history of its composition is briefly told by Rupert Christiansen in his article titled, “The Story Behind the Carol: O Little Town of Bethlehem.” 

From "Joy Comes to Bethlehem," by Connie Wohlford

“On Christmas Eve in 1865, Phillips Brooks (1835-93), a gangling young American Episcopalian, rode the perilous journey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, to assist at the midnight service in the Church of the Nativity. 

“Two years later, back in Massachusetts, he was inspired by the experience to write this carol for his Sunday school. Rev Brooks - 6ft 6in tall and capable of preaching at more than 200 words a minute - was a favourite with children; when one woman told her daughter that he had died, the girl replied: ‘O how happy the angels will be.’

“Brooks' carol was an instant success in the USA, but only came to England when Vaughan Williams introduced it in 1906, arranging it to the traditional tune Forest Green, which he had collected from peasants in Surrey in 1903.”*

Lyrics for “O Little Town of Bethlehem:”

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;

Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.

O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the king,
And peace to men on earth.

For Christ is born of Mary;
And, gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.

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.

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. *

Let’s end with a piece of nostalgia for me and other grey-haired folks, (actually I color my hair, but …). Enjoy listening to this beautiful carol through the melodious voice of Nat King Cole. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19rL_8W3oRU

* https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/3674115/The-story-behind-the-carol-O-little-town-of-Bethlehem.html  

The Music of Advent – Part 3

The Music of Advent – Part 3     

Today, let’s look at another of John Wesley’s sacred Advent Hymns, Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus. Written in 1744, Wesley included it in his Hymns for the Nativity of our Lord, that same year.

Every line of this encouraging piece suggests a Scripture reference: 2 Corinthians 4:14, Revelation 3:21, Isaiah 61:1-2, Luke 4:18-19 and Romans 6:22. Wesley alludes to the longings for both the first and second comings of Jesus. *

Image from Pinterest

We may sometimes hear this simple tune as an instrumental with string instruments … and it’s beautiful, especially if we’re singing the lyrics in our heads.    

Take to heart, these lyrics and if you’d like, worship along with the You Tube rendition.

Come, Thou long expected Jesus

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.

By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Come, Thou long expected Jesus on You Tube:

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=come+thou+long+expected+jesus+youtube&&view=detail&mid=F91589D340F371CAB77DF91589D340F371CAB77D&&FORM=VDRVRV

 *From: https://hymnary.org/text/come_thou_long_expected_jesus_born_to

The Music of Advent – Part 2

The Music of Advent – Part 2                                    

From the Judean wilderness one could hear the cries of John the Baptist, “… Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. … Prepare the way of the LORD …” (Matthew 3:2-3). 

Internet Photo

Whether from curiosity or a yearning heart, crowds gathered to see and hear this unusual man, clothed in camel’s hair and known to eat locust and wild honey (Matthew 3:4). John was Jesus’ own cousin and the one Isaiah prophesied of as “the voice of one crying in the wilderness” (Isaiah 40:3: Matthew 3:3). 

This John is the baptizer the hymn writer, Charles Coffin, is speaking of, announcing “that the Lord is nigh. Awake and harken, for he brings glad tidings of the King of kings!”*

Coffin, (1676-1749), rector of the University of Paris, wrote many hymns and poems, mostly in Latin. “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” was translated into English between 1837 and 1841 by John Chandler, one of the most successful translators of the day.

Be blessed as you read the lyrics and listen to this old hymn:  

On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry

On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry
announces that the Lord is nigh.
Awake and harken, for he brings
glad tidings of the King of kings!

2 Then cleansed be every life from sin:
make straight the way for God within,
and let us all our hearts prepare
for Christ to come and enter there.

3 We hail you as our Savior, Lord,
our refuge and our great reward.
Without your grace we waste away
like flowers that wither and decay.

4 Stretch forth your hand, our health restore,
and make us rise to fall no more.
O let your face upon us shine
and fill the world with love divine.

5 All praise to you, eternal Son,
whose advent has our freedom won,
whom with the Father we adore,
and Holy Spirit, evermore.   (Public Domain)

Enjoy listening on YouTube:    https://youtu.be/N2_30G2fJmU

In the comment section, below, please tell us your favorite Advent hymn and special memories or traditions you enjoy.

May God richly bless you during this glorious season.

©Copyright 2018 Connie Wohlford