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

Our Wonder-Filled Plans for Christmas

Our Wonder-Filled Plans for Christmas

It happens every year. And I know that I’m not the only one who does it.  On November 1^st Thanksgiving plans are well underway. We don’t want to miss a beat in having Thanksgiving dinner as perfect as can be. I love Thanksgiving− taking time to be grateful to God for His many blessings, family gathering together, turkey dinner with the trimmings, college football on TV, and on and on.

BUT, you know and I know that there’s a buzzing bee humming wildly inside our heads, planning and anticipating, thinking and budgeting, for the best Christmas ever. After all, it’s just around the corner! 

Our minds are bursting with wonder-filled plans:  Things like family gatherings where we all get along; we’re all on the same page; and no one−not even one− acts unseemly. And most importantly, we all focus on Jesus and the wonder of His coming. We gaze at the nativity figurines and imagine what it would be like to be in that scene ourselves. We picture ourselves kneeling beside the Christ Child, worshiping alongside the shepherds and wise men−maybe even holding a little lamb on our laps. We see our children and grandchildren joining us there−in the wonder of it all. 

When God looks into our brains, it must look something like Pinterest or the merger of Southern Living Christmas and Focus on the Family.

Our minds are bursting with wonder-filled plans:  Our culinary creations will top all we’ve ever done in Christmas past. It will seem as though we’ve cloned Martha Stewart’s creativity and yes, her pocketbook−and even her staff.  [How much of that do you really think she does herself anyway?] 

Our homes will be filled with aromas of homemade Snicker Doodles, apple & pumpkin pies, fresh baked cinnamon buns, mulled cider & fresh brewed coffee.  Our table and counter tops will be heavy laden with trays of bright colored, perfectly decorated Christmas cookies, mini loaves, cakes, and bundled candies−all freshly made by our skilled and loving hands.  

 

Our minds are bursting with wonder-filled plans:  Our homes will be brilliantly decorated with holiday lights and homemade décor that even Martha would envy.  All the lights, yes every single one, will actually work and burn brightly in just the right spot, casting just the right shadows, in just the right places.  It will all be just right. The fragrant fresh greenery, colorfully styled with perfectly harmonized ribbons and bows, intermixes the air with the cinnamons and spice. Umm, we smile, close our eyes, deeply inhale and hold for a moment just to soak it all in.  

Our minds are bursting with wonder-filled plans:  The family will all be together at the community parade and tree lighting ceremony, after which we’ll enjoy hot chocolate while we chat and laugh together. Off to church we’ll go on Christmas Sunday* and joyfully sing all our favorite Christmas carols. Each heart will be thrilled again by the Christmas play. We’ll worship the new born King and joyfully say, “Merry Christmas,” to each of our church friends. [*Christmas Sunday is defined as the Sunday just before Christmas day. I had to explain that term to some of my grandchildren.] 

Our minds are bursting with wonder-filled plans: We’ll give and receive delightfully simple and meaningful gifts this year. We won’t spend more than we can afford. And best of all, everyone will appreciate−really appreciate−the gifts we give. As they carefully open each one, their eyes will sparkle with anticipation.

Then they’ll look into our faces and gleefully say, “Oh thank you so much!  I just love it! It is just right!”  Then we’ll receive that big hug of gratitude and smile as we sweetly say, “You’re welcome, Honey.  I love you so much.” 

So- our wonder-filled plans are brilliant, indeed. Our imaginings can flit and float to impeccable holiday thrills. But—really now, let’s do be real. When our families consist of human beings, we’ll deal with human frailties. We, ourselves, are not the picture of perfection, you know.

Let’s begin our plans with a prayer to the One we celebrate and ask for His leading as we set our sights on Christmas. After all—it’s His birthday.

AND let’s do what Proverbs 16:3 wisely tells us: Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

Please leave a comment and share ways you manage to maintain focus and composure during your Christmas planning and follow-through.  Merry Christmas!  

"Our Wonder-Filled Plans for Christmas" has been published in the December issue of the free on-line magazine, "Refresh." To read more delightful and inspirational Christmas related articles please see the December issue -> http://lighthousebiblestudies.com/refresh-bible-study-magazine .

©Connie Wohlford