“His mother only… worshiped the Beloved with a kiss.”

 

Carol: In the Bleak Midwinter – Christina Rossetti 1872
Tune: CRANHAM – Gustav Holst 1906

What a lovely phrase ends stanza three of this ever-popular carol whose fourth stanza “What shall I give him, poor as I am?” has become its most well-known.

In this third stanza, we are introduced to angels, archangels, cherubim, seraphim – all who hover in the air above the stable place which sufficed as a greeting place for the One that Heaven could not hold back. Those winged figures witness Mary doing what every mother does to their newborn – she leans over, pulls the baby close to her lips and plants a kiss on the forehead or the cheeks. While other mothers do this as an act of love and welcome, Mary’s act was one of worship as well, as if to say, “I love you, I welcome you, and I worship you.”

Bleak this midwinter, yes? Bleak this entire year. But before we turn the calendar to January, let’s realize that hovering angels bid us welcome to express our acceptance of the One who has come to brighten our bleakness. Imagine that you pull Him close to yourself and whisper, “I love you, I welcome you, and I worship you.” If you’re really bold, kiss Him on the forehead and seal it with a kiss. That night, it was Mary only; tonight, it can be all of us.

All is calm. All is bright. No little drummer boy needed.

James Taylor Sings This Carol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qmtO6cebcU

"Looknow! For glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing."

  

Carol: “It Came upon the Midnight Clear” – Edmund H. Sears (1810-1876)

Tune: CAROL

     All ye, beneath life's crushing load

     Whose forms are bending low,

     Who toil along the climbing path

     With painful steps and slow.

     Look now! for glad and golden hours

     Come swiftly on the wing.

     O rest beside the weary road

     And hear the angels sing.

 

“Heads up!” Don’t put it off. “Look now!” This seems to be a call to immediate response to the sound of angels’ wings… and the words they sing/say.

This stanza of the carol is addressed to all who find themselves beneath the crushing load of life, whose bodies and spirits are drooping under the weight of the struggles. Perhaps these encumbrances are the result of a birth defect or a disease, of their own bad decisions/sins, of the ‘cards they were dealt’ early on in life. Maybe they are overloaded with the problems of others – family members, friends, coworkers. Whatever has brought them to their knees, they feel like they are always on an up-hill trek, that every step is painful, and the progress is slow. I think we get the picture. In fact, it may be a picture of ourselves.

With heads hanging low, we are given hope that the better (glad and golden) hours are ahead because for unto us a Child has been born. Look up… now… and realize it. Be lifted from your bloodied knees to stand again complete. The Great Physician now is near; the newborn King comes to lift up the fallen, heal the sick and restore the weak.

This reassurance came upon the midnight clear two centuries ago, and it rings just as true today. Perhaps it’s just the word of hope we need to hear.

I had trouble finding a recording that included this pivotal stanza!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=D0t5CH_3280

“Then why should we on earth be sad?”

“Then why should we on earth be sad?”

Carol: On Christmas Night All Christians Sing – English Carol
Tune: SUSSEX CAROL

As soon as those silver tinsel trees were available, the Huffs got one! It was four feet tall and sat on a table in front of the picture window with the curtains pulled all the way back and the Venetian blinds pulled all the way up. We had to rearrange the entire living room to make way for the Sears-purchased altarpiece, but it was THAT important – the displaying to the neighborhood that we were “with it”!

Prior to this, our tree had come from the woods just above our house, chopped down and dragged down the hill… somewhat whopperjawwed (that’s east Tennessee for misshapen!).

But the piece de resistance was the revolving color wheel with 60-watt indoor flood light! What an invention! To a ten-year-old with a creative leaning, it was more than I could handle. I would sit for hours across the room on the displaced gold and white brocade sofa and watch the primary colors plus one spin slowly, changing not only the color of the tinsel tree but of the entire room. Shadows moved and morphed. I was enthralled.

It’s Christmas, y’all! Be fascinated by something! Why on earth should we be sad? If there’s one time we ought – all of us – to be overjoyed, it’s right now. The world may not fully realize it, but they are with great energy celebrating the birthday of our Redeemer! Why would we mope around and act un-glad about that!

I saw one of those revolving color wheels in an antique store a few months ago; it had the box with it, and attached was a sticky-note that said “still works”. I think it was the same brand we had. It made me smile. I wish I had brought it home, hooked it up, sat on the grey denim sofa and watched the colors move around this living room. Even if I were sad, I think it would have made me happy.


Elaine Hagenberg’s Arrangement of This Carol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0XfVqSiPDo

“O how lovely, O how pure is this perfect Child of heaven.”

Carol: He Is Born – Traditional French Carol
Tune: IL EST NE (18th Century French)

So many descriptors, so little time! We can’t seem to come up with enough words to describe the Little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay, can we… especially in our songs during this season? And that is a good thing. This incredible Gift is beyond description, yet we continue to make attempts to do just that.

This many-times-translated text from the French carol “He Is Born” captures three central, spot-on taglines for this Divine Christ Child: lovely, pure, perfect. Whatsoever things are… think on these.

During these days surrounding Christmas, we spend more time in our memory bank than at any other season it seems. Events that we have thought long-forgotten resurface and become once-again meaningful, taking us back to lovely, pure, more-perfect times.

One of those has come to me lately involving an early yuletide experience in Pigeon Forge. It was the year my two main gifts were a metal parking garage with elevator and circular ramp (three cars included) and my first piano – eight white notes with the black ones painted on. I was probably two years old, maybe three.

The distinct memory is that the pastor (Preacher Whaley) and his wife (Mrs. Preacher)… yes, that’s what we all called her!... were there when I opened my gifts. It was our tradition to open gifts on Christmas Eve, and for some reason the local clergy and spouse were in my family’s living room watching me jump up and down with delight with gifts that would prepare me for my life’s work – well, one of them would! (I did pump gas at a Sinclair station in high school if that counts.) It was a lovely, pure and near-perfect time in my life… an innocence to which I would love to return.

Our tree in that house sat in front of the same window from which a couple of years later I watched the Ku Klux Klan burn a cross in the neighbor’s yard across the street. So much for lovely, pure and perfect.

I’m glad Christmas and the Baby whose birth we celebrate during these days allows us to get past the struggles that have marred our long and winding way to where we are now – who allows us to cherish those childhood memories and try to figure out why in the world they come to mind -- and who provides us opportunities to restart our lives… to be lovely, pure and perfect in His sight, over and over again, year after year, Christmas after Christmas.

O lovely, pure and perfect Lord Jesus Christ, may we jump up and down with delight with the gifts you give us to prepare us to continue to minister. Amen.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzfCljfU180

“Love shall be our token… love to God and others.”

 

CAROL: “Love Came Down at Christmas”
Tune: GARTAN (Traditional Irish)
Text: Christina Rossetti (1885)

I used the “token” analogy earlier in "And all flesh shall see the token that God's word is never broken" from the carol “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People.” In THAT case, the token was one that God presented to US in a similar way that he put a rainbow in the sky.

THIS carol line is about OUR token… both to God and to our fellow persons – and that token will be love. At least it should be.

We all know the song “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love.” Indeed, they will; we are told that in the scriptures as well as in the songbooks. Jesus himself sings the same song in John 13:35.

According to Webster, in the later definitions of token, we find these:
· an outward sign or expression
· a small part representing the whole
· something given or shown as a guarantee

This love of Christ which came down to us at Christmas and comes to us again and again throughout our spiritual pilgrimage can truly be all of these:
· Perhaps if we see love as an outward expression of what we already experience, it will be a sign to all around us.
· Because we understand that God is love, we as His representatives are simply acting as a delegate of the whole body which beats with the Agape heart.
· We show the love of Christ as a guarantee to show in obvious and subtle ways that the love of Christ not only dwells in us, but it can’t help but seep out in every situation in which we find ourselves… not just the ones in which we TRY to act religious!

In these ways, during this season and throughout the year, the token we spend moment by moment… even without trying… will be love. And love shared with others is automatically a loving nod toward God. “Love shall be our token… love to God and others.”


From King’s College 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYLnbgh_l3A

“Child who inherits all our transgressions”

 

“Child who inherits all our transgressions”


Carol: “Child in the Manger” – Mary MacDonald (19th Century)
Tune: BUNESSAN – Gaelic

Talk about something that is upside down and backwards! Here’s one!

When we talk about somebody inheriting someone’s fortune, it is coming to them from people who came before them… their forebears: parents, grandparents, uncles/aunts… even total strangers. That’s the way we understand how inheritance works, right?

In the case of Christ, however, he inherits all the transgressions which will come AFTER him – from the cross forward! Have you ever thought about that? Obviously Mary MacDonald, the 19th Century hymn-writer, had when she penned these lines:

Child who inherits all our transgressions,
All our demerits on him fall.

Every sin, transgression, trespass, demerit that ever went on the books went to HIS account… he has inherited every last one.

So often we hear of some penniless wretch who suddenly becomes powerfully wealthy by the inheritance of a long-forgotten relative. Such tales make for great movie plot lines.

In the Jesus narrative, we begin with the most innocent of innocents who over time suddenly becomes rich in sin and debauchery… none of which is his own. In order for us to inherit his Father’s kingdom, he must inherit our sins. Like I said, it is upside down and backwards.

A paradox is lurking in the streets of Bethlehem… a paradox that will become fully grown about 32 years later in the streets of Jerusalem. Upside down. Backwards. Rightside Up. Perfect. Going according to plan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrAgBx5qkCI 

“He the Source… of things that are, that have been.”

Carol: “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” – Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (4th Century)
                                 Translated by John Mason Neale, 1864
Tune: DIVINUM MYSTERIUM – 13th Century Plainsong

John’s gospel tells us that Christ existed from the very beginning with God… that Christ was involved in the creation of all things. He is the Alpha… from the first. He is the Source… where all things began.

One of the great things about growing up at the foot of the Smoky Mountain National Park is that we went there often… really often. Sometimes we just drove through sections of it and played tourist. Usually we took a picnic and tempted the black bears to our table in Chimney Campground. But my favorite times were those when we got out of the car and walked into the woods. I later learned we were hiking the trails!

I remember on one of those hikes, we were following a mountain branch (creek) that moved alongside the trail. The higher we got, the smaller the water’s flow until we arrived at its source: a mountain spring. I was fascinated that the water seemed to come up out of nowhere.

Hanging on a limb beside the opening was a battered dipper. I have no idea how long it had been there or how many mouths had touched it, but Hedy, Raymond and I submerged it into the small bubbling natural bowl and brought up the most refreshing mouthful of water I ever had before or since. Like it was yesterday, I recall its purity and its cleanness. It seemed to me that it came up from the very beginnings of the earth, somewhere close to where God started the whole process. I was truly in awe.

When we sing this carol, my tastebuds recall an early understanding of returning to the source… of getting as close as I’d ever been (as far as I was concerned) to creation’s activity.

This Baby we worship during these days is indeed the Source of all creation. He is also the starting place for love, hope, peace, joy, hope, mercy, salvation… etc. Grab a nasty dipper and join untold generations who have lined up to drink from this living water, ever clean, ever pure, ever available.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8n1Xe_7beM

“How far is it to Bethlehem? Not very far?”

 

 Carol: How Far Is It to Bethlehem? – Frances Alice Chesterton

Tune: STOWEY

This carol has been sung by choirs for many years (especially children) but has not appeared in many congregational books until more recently. You may not be familiar with it at all, but its opening line… today’s Carol Line… is worth noticing.

Though for most of us, geographically Bethlehem is halfway around the world, during this season it is as close as our imagination! That little town in Judea: how still we see it lie under those silent stars, even as in its dark streets the Everlasting Light is shining. There are rounded roofs and flat roofs; for some reason, Bethlehem is usually blue! Awash in the reflection of the night sky I guess!

How far are we from the stable? Not very far really.  We conjure up the images from Christmas cards, Sunday school posters, church pageants -- from all kinds of past experiences. Cows, sheep, oxen, donkeys, chickens, doves – none of which are mentioned in the gospel accounts by the way! But the rugged situation, the weary travelers, the recently-delivered young woman, the rejected-from-the-inn couple with their newborn baby, the hay-filled feed trough – THOSE images we can rely on as we sketch the scene in our mind, or perhaps on paper or canvas.

Come with me, will you? Step out of your need for absolutes and concrete realities. Join me in that holy moment when with Joseph’s help, Mary first cradles her Son. Are you there with me? Are we there yet? We don’t have to go far because those images are embedded into our filmstrip from earliest childhood memories. They have developed over time… perhaps matured… but Bethlehem is never far away when we need to go there. We have been given a rich imagination for such a time as this.

During the bustle of the next few days, when you need to find Jesus in the middle of all the celebrations of His birthday… go to Bethlehem. Find him there in your mind. After all, it’s not that far, is it?

Mormon Tabernacle Choir Sings This Carol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-vmHSes9i4

 

“Mighty dread had seized their troubled minds.”

Carol: “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” – Nahum Tate (1700)

Tune: CHRISTMAS (adapted from G. F. Handel)

How long since you really dreaded something? Since you had a foreboding feeling that made you numb… maybe even incapable of moving ahead? You may have called it a “panic attack.”

Here, the dread is taken up a notch from your everyday basic dread to “mighty” dread. If you thought you had been anxious before, this is even a higher level of apprehension!

The shepherds of the Luke nativity story were caught off guard to the point that their thought processes were seized by a double-dose of dread when a heavenly messenger appeared in their midst. Nowadays, we would say they were in shock.

Some of us seem to be troubled more than we should; worry is our companion too much of the time… even in the weeks leading up to Christmas!  I’m a worrier by nature – always have been. If I’m not careful, my theme-song might be “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen”!

What if those shepherds were already worried about how things were going? Perhaps the political unrest of their day was overwhelming… or a pandemic loomed largely… or they were mistreated or looked down upon simply because they were shepherds. Those can be troubling, don’t you know?

Then added to their already troubled state of mind, the dreaded dread came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone ‘round about them making them sore afraid!

Before they could suffer an attack of panic, the angelic messenger calmed them down with those three words that occur SO often in Scripture when anxiety rules: “Be not afraid.”

From what we can tell, the message of gladness and joy eased their alarm, caused them to listen-up, and ultimately drew them to Christ.

That’s how it is with us, especially during this time of the year: If we heed (listen-up to) the pervasive message of gladness, joy, hope and love being sung and spoken all around us, we might disregard our trepidations and be closer drawn to Christ.

Worrying souls, move away from your anxiety once and for all. Let’s put all that behind us and allow “Good will henceforth from heaven to earth (to) begin and never cease.”

After all, “Nobody knows the troubles I’ve seen. Nobody knows but Jesus.”

 

 

“He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger.”

Carol: “O Holy Night” –Translated from the French by John S. Dwight (1813-1893)
Tune: CANTIQUE DE NOEL (Adolphe Adam)

Identification. When you list the attributes of Christ, you may overlook this one, but the fact is that part of his mission to earth was to identify with those whom his Father had created. His having walked several hundred miles in our shoes made it possible for him – even now in his glorified state – to empathize with us human pilgrims.

I think I understand the concept of Christ having knowledge of my needs even before I voice them; that has been drilled into me from my earliest days of neediness. However, I am struck in this carol by the line “to our weakness (Christ) is no stranger.” I’m more familiar with “I am weak, but thou art strong,” but THAT is looking at this from a different perspective. Being no stranger to my weaknesses points out this identification attribute. He does not stand to the side as the strong silent type and wonder what I’m facing; he stands inside, seeing it from my perspective and whispers, “I know what you’re going through. I’ve been there.”

So, my fellow needy weak friends, the name Emmanuel can take on a deeper meaning for us during these days leading up to Christmas. Christ truly is WITH us in all our struggles... still.

Carol Sung by Home Free

"Bind all peoples in one heart and mind. Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease."

 "Bind all peoples in one heart and mind. Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease."

Carol: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” – Latin Hymn
Tune: VENI EMMANUEL

In this plainsong Advent carol, we singers are not only asking Messiah to come; we are also making several requests of him upon his arrival and upon the establishment of his Kingdom:

1) Come and cheer our spirits.
2) Disperse the gloomy clouds of night.
3) Send death’s dark shadows away.
4) Bring order to all things.
5) Show us the path of knowledge and lead us in that path.

In the final stanza, we encounter today’s hymnline. We plead for true camaraderie of all peoples in compassion and in thought. “Bring us together,” we pray. “Give a sense of cooperation and agreement. Help us to accept one another’s differences and make those differences work for the good of the Kingdom.”

To do that, the envy, strife and quarrels need to cease. Our praying continues, “Emmanuel, now that you, O God, are with us, call a cease-fire between the warring factions worldwide.”

I know this carol has some definite Jewish overtones – the people of Israel are renewing their belief that Emmanuel shall come to them. As Christians who are confident that Messiah has already made his appearance on this terrestrial ball, we make all those same requests listed above, and we, too, seek commonality of passion and theology; we, too, have had it with the disagreements that arise within the church out of anger, envy and strife. Except for the instigators, nobody likes a good church fight!

Having been involved in a denomination that has suffered its fair share of disagreement – especially in recent years – this prayer carol takes on a fuller significance. When I pray this carol, I mean it: I beg the Good Shepherd to come to enfold all his children who find themselves at war within the flock.

For all of us, conflict is on display worldwide. For some, the conflict may be within their community, their family, or even within themselves. Wherever they are found, may the struggles stop and reconciliation reign.

In the refrain, we are called to rejoice in the promise that Emmanuel continues to come to our rescue. Ultimately, we will enjoy a worldwide heavenly peace. Meanwhile, we keep on prayer-singing!

Great rendition by a cappella men’s group
(does not include this stanza!)

Big choral arrangement that uses this stanza

"So prepare to be the home where such a mighty Guest may come."

Carol: “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” – Charles Coffin (1676-1749)
Common Tunes: PUER NOBIS, WINCHESTER NEW

I grew up in the Baptist denomination, and none of our hymns had the word “Baptist” in the title! Other denominations, however, often include this hymn about John the Baptist’s announcing the coming of Messiah; as the forerunning cousin of Jesus, that was his calling.

Note: It is important to include the apostrophe after Baptist; otherwise, it sounds like a whole denomination of immersers is wailing on a river’s edge!

The stanza in which this hymnline sits says this in total:
    Let ev’ry heart be cleansed from sin,
    Make straight for God within,
    And so prepare to be the home
    Where such a mighty Guest may come.

Straightening up the house is something we do when we’re expecting guests -- any guests… even regular visitors and family members! That may include hiding some things in the closet, under a bed, or behind the sofa. We want give the best possible appearance, tidied up as well as we can to make the visitor feel welcome – even ‘at home.”

Other carols say, “Let every heart prepare him room,” and “O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room…” But THIS line calls Jesus a ‘mighty Guest.’ I think that means the same thing as ‘important’ or ‘extra special.’ The mighty Son of the mighty God is looking for somewhere to take up residence.

Unlike our usual visitors – however glamorous or significant – we don’t need to start hiding things! That all-knowing-ness of Christ sees right through any pretenses we may try to create.

So I suppose this is a season of peace, joy, love, hope… and transparency!

Get your house in order! You may be about to have a Zacchaeus kind of day!

Winchester New Tune at the Organ

“Seraph (and) cherubim…veil their faces to the Presence as with ceaseless voice they cry, ‘Alleluia.’”

 “Seraph (and) cherubim…veil their faces to the Presence as with ceaseless voice they cry, ‘Alleluia.’”

Carol: “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” – Fifteenth Century

Tune: PICARDY

Many of you know that I collect Mickeys, Magi and Angels. I have slowed my angel-collecting since it has become trendy to do so; remember the words rebel and southerner are almost synonymous! Because I have several seraphim and cherubim sitting on shelves around the house, this hymnline may be more significant to me than it is to others.

Today we consider one of the holiest hymnlines ever penned (translated). It is definitely one of those “picture this” phrases. In the Presence, even angels cover their faces and voice their praises. While an obvious allusion to Isaiah’s sixth-chapter experience, these words set to this haunting melody conjure up a warming, hair-on-the-arm-raising reaction (as opposed to arm-raising!). I never sing or hear this without putting myself in their place – standing (or flying) before the very form of the Almighty, now shaped as a human. The melismatic “alleluia” rolls from the lips of the winged messengers, and I have no recourse but to join them… and my mortal silence is broken.

Cynthia Clawson's Haunting Singing of This Carol

https://youtu.be/Of0bJrMZGuI

 

 

"O hush the noise, you folk of strife, and hear the angels sing."

 A Hymn Line Reprise

"O hush the noise, you folk of strife, and hear the angels sing."

Carol: “It Came upon the Midnight Clear” – Edmund H. Sears (1810-1876)
Tune: CAROL

People of strife – those who stir up trouble wherever they go: I think that’s to whom this hymnline is addressed. We know people like that, and we all hope we are not one of them! Sometimes these are overtly hostile, picking fights, bullying their way through life. Others are much more subtle – the passive/aggressive types who on the surface seem so positive, kind… even compassionate; however, they are constantly plotting ways to get their own way.

Noise-makers are only fitting for New Year’s Eve parties. Human noise-makers are out of place just about anywhere they show up.

We know of times when warring nations have called a total truce during this holiday season. The most famous of these is the one when all was truly quiet on the Western Front on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 1914 during World War I. They say enemy troops were crossing the battle lines to greet one another with hugs and handshakes… even tears. Some actually exchanged trinkets.

This hymnline calls the conflict-makers to cut it out, at least for these holy days. Instead, let the troubled souls hear the angels call for “peace on earth” and “goodwill to all.” Wouldn’t it be great if these were heard, heeded and applied… and that even the most localized strife (spousal abuse, child abuse, imposed mental anguish, etc.) would be quieted and peace might reign where strife has run rampant?

With the disciples at the upper room table, we must ask, “Is it I, Lord?” If the answer is “yes,” we need to hush the noise and hear the words of the Christmas angels.

"He comes to make his blessings flow."

 "He comes to make his blessings flow."

Carol: “Joy to the World” – Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

               [A versification of Psalm 98]

Tune: ANTIOCH

During the recent Thanksgiving season, the gospel song "Count Your Blessings" is often sung. The message of this Carol Line is sort of a continuation of that hymn.

We have innumerable blessings, you and I. It's an inexhaustible list. Do you see how those blessings pile up? That’s a blessing in itself!

This line emphasizes that in place of the infestation of some negative aspects of life (sins, sorrows, thorns infesting the ground), “He comes to make his blessings flow (as) far as the curse (of sin) is found.”

There are many reasons Christ came; we could grab a legal pad and start making another list! But one of them is to replace the curse of sin with the blessings of himself – so that his blessings might flow into and through our lives… for our own edification and for those around us who may still be up to their necks, strangled by the thorns of sin and sorrow.

It is a shame when a blessing comes into our lives, stops there, and goes no further. “Paying it forward” was a Biblical principle long before it was a movie or a common catch phrase. As the blessing pile higher and higher, we become hoarders… yea, even Scrooge-like!

Let me give us another challenge for the Advent season: Because he comes to make his blessings flow, let’s pass along every blessing we possibly can. Let’s take up the blessing industry and be about our Father’s business!

Lord Christ, may every blessing that flows into me flow out of me into someone else. Amen.

Hear Choir from George Fox University

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=6oOwa0CWVVQ

"And all flesh shall see the token that God's word is never broken."

CAROL LINE: "And all flesh shall see the token that God's word is never broken."

Carol: “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People” – Johannes G. Olearius (1611-1684)

Tune: GENEVAN 42

Catherine Winkworth’s translation of this ancient hymn text grabs me, reminding me that throughout time, God has presented us with signs of his promises: the rainbow in Noah’s day, the pillar of fire for Moses’ troops, the covenant with Abraham, and ultimately revealing himself in THE Sign: the Lord Christ. It is that revelation we celebrate during this season.

 

The sending of his Son was the ultimate token of his everlasting promise to the people of Israel. At Bethlehem’s manger, God is saying, “See. I keep my word. I always do.” On a nearby hillside the angels echo the sentiment, “Unto you a Savior is (finally) born” – that Savior you’ve been anticipating since the beginnings of the covenant relationship God set up with the Jewish nation... and ultimately, all of us!

This carol is a great versification of Isaiah 40, opening with the same statement we find there spoken to the prophet by the Lord:  “Comfort, comfort ye my people.” In 40:5, we find the text on which my favorite Christmas chorus from MESSIAH is based: "And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken it.” It is from THIS passage that today’s hymnline is lifted; I think you can see the parallels without my going on and on about them!

These two centuries later, we need to be reminded of God’s faithfulness; what God says, he will do – eventually, finally. And even though “Standing on the Promises” is not a song for this season, that’s exactly what we need to continue to do.

Hear the Choir of Conrad Grebel College

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=rTOeAl-Ph8I

 

“Hope of all the earth thou art. Dear desire of ev’ry nation…”

I am four days late on starting my CAROL LINES for Advent/Christmas/Epiphany. Sorry about that, but I've been shipping copies of HYMN LINE Books and posting new carol texts online! I hop you have seen some of those! My intention is to keep these up daily... so check in to see how I'm doing with that!!!

CAROL LINE: “Hope of all the earth thou art. Dear desire of ev’ry nation…”

Carol: “Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus” – Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Common Tune: HYFRYDOL

If you attend a church that still sings hymns, you might well have sung this Advent carol recently. It’s one of those that comes up once a year, usually on the first Sunday of Advent… which in many congregations is the day the “hope” candle is lighted.

This mash-up of two ideas from Wesley approaches anticipation from two sides. On the one hand Messiah is the “HOPE of all the earth”; on the other hand, the long-expected One is the “DESIRE" of every nation.” Similar, but not exactly the same.

As Christian people, we have a deep and abiding hope which is more akin to confidence than to some event or object we want to happen or come our way. During this season of awaiting, we start with the word “hope” because it looks forward; for believers, we don’t “wish” for what might happen in the future; we are confident that it will happen. Our hope is in Christ Jesus, as Paul says consistently in the epistles. That blessed assurance is ours.

Desire is something else altogether. This half of Wesley's mash-up is the state in which the yet-to-know-salvation nations find themselves – those peoples who yet await the arrival of a Messiah… a Savior. Almost every time explorers have uncovered a new people-group (tribe), they have found that they await some god-like redeemer. While their descriptors may vary, the Christ of Christmas may well be exactly what they’re waiting for – the desire of every nation.

Hope IS a state of looking forward. Absolutely. We who have already known the joy of the manger, the tragedy of the cross and the mystery of the resurrection can be SURE… sure enough to expose the desiring nature of all humanity to the beauty of that in which we are confident: the Lord Jesus Christ.

A Celtic Setting of This Carol

“I am happy today, and the sun shines bright. The clouds have been rolled away.”

“I am happy today, and the sun shines bright. The clouds have been rolled away.”

Hymn: “’Whosoever” Meaneth Me” – Words and Music by J. Edwin McConnell (1892-1954)
Tune: McCONNELL


How long has it been since you sang this old gospel song? For me, it’s been a while… probably years!

I know that as a kid growing up in First Baptist Church in Pigeon Forge, I never understood the title or the recurring text of the refrain. I remember translating the word meaneth as something bad I did… as in, I was really mean today. I honestly thought we were singing “Who’s so ever mean as me!” Even when I could read, it took me a while to figure out what the hymn was about.

In the old King James Version of scripture, Romans 10:13 says, “Whosoever calleth upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” McConnell was actually saying “Whosoever” refers to me. All those ‘-eth’ words in the KJV were just confusing – still are!

However, I got the opening line of this old toe-tapping favorite of the country church: I am happy today, and the sun shines bright. The clouds have been rolled away. That’s pretty straight-forward; even a little boy in the Beginner Department understood that much – and so does this long-time qualifier for AARP discounts!

Remember how that cloud lingered over Joe Btfsplk in the comic strip L’il Abner? He was for a time America’s iconic jinxed individual… with an unpronounceable last name! That guy could have used a good dose of today’s hymn line!


Joe Btfsplk finally captured his cloud in a jar and for a short time had a pretty normal, happy life. I don’t recall his singing of this hymn line, but he could have. For the first time in his comic-strip life, he was happy, he could see the sun, the cloud had disappeared.

I’m happy most days. How about you? I hope you are, too. However, when the clouds block out the sun – and I’m not speaking meteorologically here – perhaps we need to find a good Mason jar, capture the hovering cloud, and tighten the lid. (I suddenly had a flashback to chasing down lightning bugs – fireflies – as a kid! Am I waxing nostalgic today, or what?!)

Cynthia Clawson – my very favorite hymn singer – recorded a song a few years ago on her River of Memories album on a text by Gloria Gaither. It has rung in my mind so many times when the clouds have overspread the sky and billows round me roll. Here is part of the text:


It won’t rain always.
The clouds will soon be gone
The sun that they've been hiding
Has been there all along.

Some of us are standing in the shadows when we should be stepping in the light.

 Weather-wise, it is a beautiful unclouded day in Texas! I’m sitting here on the back porch typing on my laptop, enjoying the morning – and I am happy today, and the sun shines bright. The clouds have been rolled away.

Grab a Mason jar and join me!

 

Hear a Quartet Sing This Hymn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=m4WY4791fGU

Hear Gary Chapman Sing This Hymn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=rb4_3N3ErEA

Hear Cynthia Clawson Sing “It Won’t Rain Always”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=dNXn-yAmxao

“Assist me to proclaim.”

 “Assist me to proclaim.”

Hymn: “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” – Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Typical Tune: AZMON


On any given Sunday, all around the world, preachers will preach, choirs will sing, praise teams will produce music, prayers will be lifted aloud, teachers will lead small-group Bible studies, someone will hear the gospel for the first time. And none of these can do it alone; they all need the some assistance. 

Our gracious Master intends to be the Helper of those who proclaim the gospel in church buildings great and small, ornate and simple, long-established or store-front. The danger – yea, even the scary part - is when folks stand before others to expound on the tenets of the faith without first asking God’s backing – his undergirding… his assistance.

 The Broadway Show Les Miserables features a wonderful song “On My Own.” It is one of many show-stopping melodies. Some of us who serve as worship leaders join Eponine’s sentiment and think we can do this sacred task on our own… that our talents and perhaps our education will carry us through. Under our own power, we are powerlessly ineffective. The right words may be spoken, the exact notes may be sung to the proper rhythms – but they become as sounding brass and tinkling cymbals. They become full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

 Just because someone shakes your hand and says, “Good job today,” doesn’t mean a whole lot to any of us when we realize that we have gone it alone—on our own.

 In public worship and in personal evangelism… at every turn in life’s road, we need to constantly be calling out for assistance, crying out for help as we proclaim the goodness of God.  Don’t wait until you are in hopeless distress to send up an S.O.S.

  Today and every day: My gracious Master and my God, assist me.

 

Listen to an Arrangement from Coral Ridge Presbyterian
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=C1YPmQibTRw

“O hope of every contrite heart! O joy of all the meek!”

 

“O hope of every contrite heart! O joy of all the meek!”


Hymn: “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee” – 12th Century Latin Hymn
(Translated by Edward Caswall -1814-1878)
Typical Tunes: ST. AGNES

This hymn is all about Jesus; from first to last, he is central. Here, he is the hope of the contrite and the joy of the meek. Let’s try to understand those two fairly misunderstood words – contrite and meek – so that we don’t miss out on the hope and joy.

Although the contrite person is one who is sorry for what they’ve done, its use here and other places in Christian writings goes a bit deeper. Although found only four or five times in Scripture, the call to being repentant flows throughout Holy Writ. It goes beyond regretting single sinful actions; it is being truly aware that without Christ, we are hopeless because Christ’s mission was/is to save us from our sinful condition. When we recognize our condition in light of his holiness and perfection, we are truly contrite… ashamed… ultimately sorry. Then the sinful void is filled with hope, and Jesus becomes “the hope of every contrite heart.”

Meek is not a synonym for “weak.” You’ve heard that before, but I’m here to remind you! While at its core, the meek person is a humble person, more pertinent to those of us who are about growing in our faith need to aim for the deeper meaning: submission. The meek are those who are compliant to the will of God, whose lives are ultimately shaped by the hand of the Almighty. This submissive posture will likely manifest itself in the gentle, mild-mannered behavior and attitude most commonly associated with meekness because Jesus is in fact “the joy of all the meek.”

Need a little hope and joy today? Recall the sorry state from which you have been redeemed and make yourself pliable to the molding hands of Christ – be more elastic than static. Have a hope-filled joyful day.

 

from the Mormon Tabernacle - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqUZd5hYLKk