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 1

The Music of Advent – Part 1

What thoughts and images come into your mind when you think of Advent?

If you grew up in church, perhaps you think of candles. You might imagine a dimly let sanctuary, soft music playing, and an Advent wreath centered near the alter or on the platform. This describes the image I see in my mind’s eye. Certainly, candles are fitting as we await the coming of the Light of the world who will dispel darkness.  

During the season of Advent, which begins on the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas, our hearts begin to stir with contemplation and quiet expectation.

The sacred music of Advent contributes to the intensity of our thoughts and feelings. Close your eyes and think of a favorite advent hymn. These melodies point us to the arrival of our Messiah and the emergence of His Eternal Kingdom. 

From Joy Comes to Bethlehem by Connie Wohlford

When we allow ourselves to pull away from the materialistic frenzy of the holiday season, we can come into a place of reverent awe of what God is doing on planet Earth. In these times we live in, it takes a conscious effort to focus on the true reason for the season. 

On these four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day, I want to look at four hymns of Advent. I admit that some of them I was not familiar with because I did not grow up in a highly liturgical denomination. In my blog research, I’m developing a deeper understanding of the anticipation of the coming Christ as celebrated through the ages. 

We’ll look at the lyrics and contemplate their meanings as well a snippet of historical background of each.

First, consider one I know well and, in fact, it’s my favorite Christmas hymn—“O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”  

Some scholars say this ancient hymn dates back to the twelfth century. But others attribute it to a community of fifth century Jewish followers of Yeshua (Jesus). It is believed to have been used as part of their Hanukkah celebrations.

“O Come, O Come Emmanuel” is often included in the service of first Sunday of Advent. As you read these lyrics, below, consider the centuries of anticipation for the Israelites, awaiting their Deliverer. They, and we, need wait no more for our Deliverer has come. 

Ponder these lyrics, then listen to a beautiful rendition on YouTube.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

1 O come, O come, Emmanuel,  
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.

Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.

2 O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who ordered all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show
and teach us in its ways to go. [Refrain]

3 O come, O come, great Lord of might,
who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times did give the law
in cloud and majesty and awe. [Refrain]

4 O come, thou branch of Jesse’s stem,
unto thine own and rescue them!
From depths of hell your people save,
and give them victory o’er the grave. [Refrain]

5 O come, O Key of David, come
and open wide our heavenly home.
Make safe the way that leads on high,
and close the path to misery. [Refrain]

6 O come, O Bright and Morning Star,
and bring us comfort from afar!
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
and death’s dark shadows put to flight. [Refrain]

7 O come, desire of nations, bind
all peoples in one heart and mind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease,
and be thyself our King of peace. [Refrain]

(Public Domain)

[Scripture references: Stanza 1- Is. 7:14; Matt 1:23.  Stanza 2- Is. 11:2; 1 Cor. 1:30.  Stanza 3- Ex. 19:16-20; Deut. 10:17; 1 Tim. 6:15.  Stanza 4- Is 11:1, 10; Rom. 15:12.  Stanza 5- Is. 22:22; Rev. 3:7. Stanza  6- Num. 24:17; Rev. 22:16.  Stanza 7- Jeremiah 10:7; Rev. 15:4.]* *https://hymnary.org/hymn/LUYH2013/61  

Here’s a link to listen to this beautiful centuries-old hymn. Do hear it and experience its wonder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP4iyJqrPvY

Please share your thoughts about the Advent season and specifically this hymn in the comment section. Thanks so much for visiting my blog.  

I pray you have a wonder-filled Advent Season and a Jesus-filled Christmas. 

©Copyright 2018 Connie Wohlford