I trust that you have had a blessed week of praising, praying, and preparing your heart for "The Birthday of the King!"
Tomorrow is Christmas Sunday, and all across our nation, if Jesus tarries, there will be children's programs, Christmas plays, Christmas Cantatas, beautiful special and instrumental music, and inspiring messages from the men of God!
One of the most beautiful Christmas carols is Joy to the World. It is thrilling to learn how the Lord wedded three different men together to create this blissful carol.
"This beautiful carol is the work of three individuals living on two continents and spanning three centuries to produce this carol that today is sung by millions of people around the globe.
'Joy to the World' began in England with the work of Isaac Watts. Born in 1674, he was the eldest son of an Anglican dissenter who frequently got thrown in jail for opposing the teachings of the Church of England. Isaac was precocious and gifted at learning languages. Before his 4th birthday he had developed the habit of speaking in rhymes, a habit that so irritated his father that at one point the elder Watts took a whip to the boy, and Isaac begged: "O father, do some pity take and I will no more verses make."
By the age of nine, the boy had mastered Greek and Latin. He conquered French and Hebrew in his early teens. He criticized the boring hymns of his father's church until a frustrated deacon challenged him to do better. The next Sunday he showed up with an original hymn, and brought a new one in each Sunday for the next several years!
A few years earlier, another child prodigy from Germany had mastered by the age of 12, the violin, oboe, harpsichord, and organ all while studying law at the university. In 1698, at the age of 13, George Frideric Handel decided to abandon his law studies to focus on his real love, music. After the successful composition of many operas, Handel moved to England where, in 1741, he composed his most famous oratorio, "The Messiah", in just 24 days. (I hope to post the amazing story of this beautiful masterpiece next week.)
The beauty of Watt's words, and the majesty of Handel's music, might never have met had it not been for the third man, an American named Lowell Mason. Taking musical phrases from different sections of the 'Messiah', and wedding them to the words of Isaac Watts, Mason's uplifting melody was published for the first time in 1836. Thus, three different men from three very different backgrounds united their hearts and minds to produce this beautiful Christmas carol that has lifted spirits heavenward for more than 170 Christmases! Their joint inspiration has truly brought joy to the world!"
"Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room, and Heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the world, the Saviour reigns! Let men their songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love!"
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Prose and Praise!
Yesterday was so beautiful -- I would have to be able to speak with the tongue of angels to describe all the beauty I could see out my windows! It was perfectly still---not a twig or leaf was moving as my Heavenly Father sent down the most lovely glistening snow from the heavens!
It was like a picture outside my windows with the soft, new fallen snow decorating my bushes and settling softly on the evergreen trees that line my driveway! My heart was filled with praise as I drank in the beauty all around me!
I trust your heart, likewise, will be filled with glory and delight as you meditate on the words of this lovely poem, entitled, "It's Time Again" by Vera Hoffman.
"The hills are bright with soft new snow; and in the glen a space below,
The church stands glowing in the light that creeps across the land tonight.
The footsteps through the fallen snow wind down a hill, and on they go
To stop before the great church door while organ music starts to pour
Out o'er the twilight soft and clear --- another Christmastime is here.
The steeple's gold is like a sign aflame to welcome Christmastime;
Its windows gleam in orange and blue, recalling ancient scenes we knew.
The people come from near and far, as years ago a shining star
Shown from the heavens, guiding men to the small town of Bethlehem.
Now church bells ring out clear and call to others as the shadows fall.
'Tis time to kneel and praise and sing,
Hosannas to the newborn King!"
It was like a picture outside my windows with the soft, new fallen snow decorating my bushes and settling softly on the evergreen trees that line my driveway! My heart was filled with praise as I drank in the beauty all around me!
I trust your heart, likewise, will be filled with glory and delight as you meditate on the words of this lovely poem, entitled, "It's Time Again" by Vera Hoffman.
"The hills are bright with soft new snow; and in the glen a space below,
The church stands glowing in the light that creeps across the land tonight.
The footsteps through the fallen snow wind down a hill, and on they go
To stop before the great church door while organ music starts to pour
Out o'er the twilight soft and clear --- another Christmastime is here.
The steeple's gold is like a sign aflame to welcome Christmastime;
Its windows gleam in orange and blue, recalling ancient scenes we knew.
The people come from near and far, as years ago a shining star
Shown from the heavens, guiding men to the small town of Bethlehem.
Now church bells ring out clear and call to others as the shadows fall.
'Tis time to kneel and praise and sing,
Hosannas to the newborn King!"
Monday, December 12, 2016
I Heard The Bells ----
I love to hear bells ringing throughout the Christmas season -- Salvation Army bells, sleigh bells, jingle bells, bells calling the people to worship from high up in the church steeple, the sound of bells coming from the organ chimes, and all the little bells of Christmas that everywhere sing and ring of God's Love and Light!
"Born in Portland, Maine in 1807, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow entered school at the age of three. By his sixth birthday, he was not only reading the classics but also writing stories and poems. Having completed his college degree at age 19, he became a professor of modern language at Bowdoin College. Within a few years, he was writing his own textbooks as well as volumes of poetry. He married at 24 and joined the faculty at Harvard. Then tragedy struck. During a trip to Europe his wife of four years experienced a miscarriage and died two weeks later at the age of 22. Broken-hearted, Longfellow returned to the United States and buried himself in his work.
Seven years after being widowed, he married again. Five children filled the house with laughter. He was in demand in literary circles around the world, and was granted honorary degrees at Oxford and Cambridge, as well as an audience with Queen Victoria. Then tragedy struck Longfellow again. His wife dropped a match on her skirt while sealing envelopes with wax. Her gown caught fire, and despite his attempts to extinguish the flames by smothering them with his own body, she perished. He was left with serious burns on his face and hands, and grieving the loss of his wife, he fell into a deep depression. Adding to his grief was the onset of the Civil War. Bringing the battle even closer to his heart, his oldest son ran off to fight with the Union Army. Within a year the boy was shot and sent home to recuperate.
On Christmas Day in 1863, in the midst of his personal anguish and grief over the state of the nation, Longfellow is reported to have heard the pealing of bells. He quickly composed the verses to a poem titled 'Christmas Bells.' The 3rd verse echoes his despair: 'There is no peace on earth' I said, for hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth' Despite its somber tone, in its closing verses, he affirms his faith -- 'God is not dead ....the wrong shall fail, the right prevail.'
It would be 10 more years before Longfellow's verses were set to music by John Calkin in 1872. The title was changed to "I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day," Today Longfellow's legacy lives on in his only Christmas Carol, reminding us that in spite of our particular sorrows, there continues to be a reason to hope for peace on earth and goodwill to men."
"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.
I thought how, as the day had come, the belfries of all Christendom
had rolled along the unbroken song 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 from each black, accursed mouth the cannon thundered in the South,
and with the sound the carols drowned of peace on earth, good will to men.
It was as if an earthquake rent the hearthstones of a continent,
and made forlorn the households born 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."
Till ringing, singing on its way, the world revolved from night to day;
a voice, a chime, a chant sublime, of peace on earth, good will to men!"
"Born in Portland, Maine in 1807, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow entered school at the age of three. By his sixth birthday, he was not only reading the classics but also writing stories and poems. Having completed his college degree at age 19, he became a professor of modern language at Bowdoin College. Within a few years, he was writing his own textbooks as well as volumes of poetry. He married at 24 and joined the faculty at Harvard. Then tragedy struck. During a trip to Europe his wife of four years experienced a miscarriage and died two weeks later at the age of 22. Broken-hearted, Longfellow returned to the United States and buried himself in his work.
Seven years after being widowed, he married again. Five children filled the house with laughter. He was in demand in literary circles around the world, and was granted honorary degrees at Oxford and Cambridge, as well as an audience with Queen Victoria. Then tragedy struck Longfellow again. His wife dropped a match on her skirt while sealing envelopes with wax. Her gown caught fire, and despite his attempts to extinguish the flames by smothering them with his own body, she perished. He was left with serious burns on his face and hands, and grieving the loss of his wife, he fell into a deep depression. Adding to his grief was the onset of the Civil War. Bringing the battle even closer to his heart, his oldest son ran off to fight with the Union Army. Within a year the boy was shot and sent home to recuperate.
On Christmas Day in 1863, in the midst of his personal anguish and grief over the state of the nation, Longfellow is reported to have heard the pealing of bells. He quickly composed the verses to a poem titled 'Christmas Bells.' The 3rd verse echoes his despair: 'There is no peace on earth' I said, for hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth' Despite its somber tone, in its closing verses, he affirms his faith -- 'God is not dead ....the wrong shall fail, the right prevail.'
It would be 10 more years before Longfellow's verses were set to music by John Calkin in 1872. The title was changed to "I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day," Today Longfellow's legacy lives on in his only Christmas Carol, reminding us that in spite of our particular sorrows, there continues to be a reason to hope for peace on earth and goodwill to men."
"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.
I thought how, as the day had come, the belfries of all Christendom
had rolled along the unbroken song 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 from each black, accursed mouth the cannon thundered in the South,
and with the sound the carols drowned of peace on earth, good will to men.
It was as if an earthquake rent the hearthstones of a continent,
and made forlorn the households born 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."
Till ringing, singing on its way, the world revolved from night to day;
a voice, a chime, a chant sublime, of peace on earth, good will to men!"
Friday, December 9, 2016
'C A R O L I N G'
It is very cold tonight---blowing a few flakes of snow on your coat as you hurry along; a light blanket of snow on the ground where you walk. It is the kind of night you expect to hear a knock at your door and voices begin singing, "Joy to the World! The Lord is Come!"
You hurry to the door and welcome the happy group of Carolers with their bright smiles, rosy cheeks, and frosty breaths. You welcome them in and warm them up with a cup of hot chocolate and a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie!
Perhaps after the Carolers have left and you are thinking about their sweet singing, it might remind you of this lovely poem by Virginia Moore.
"There's no sweeter sound than carols sung
By a group of voices clear and young.
Akin to the angels of long ago,
The notes float out over glistening snow.
And as the voices rise and blend,
The listener hopes it shall never end---
This way of telling a waiting earth
The age-old news of a Saviour's birth."
You hurry to the door and welcome the happy group of Carolers with their bright smiles, rosy cheeks, and frosty breaths. You welcome them in and warm them up with a cup of hot chocolate and a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie!
Perhaps after the Carolers have left and you are thinking about their sweet singing, it might remind you of this lovely poem by Virginia Moore.
"There's no sweeter sound than carols sung
By a group of voices clear and young.
Akin to the angels of long ago,
The notes float out over glistening snow.
And as the voices rise and blend,
The listener hopes it shall never end---
This way of telling a waiting earth
The age-old news of a Saviour's birth."
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
"A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS!"
As I sit in my den this morning, beautiful sunlight is streaming through the windows warming the room and warming my spirit, as well.
May God bless you today as you enjoy the lovely lyrics of this poem by Nadine Lybarger.
"The world is bright with Christmas lights --- Wherever did you see
A lovelier sight than shines tonight from housefront, lawn, and tree?
The air is filled with melody: Whenever did you hear
A sweeter sound, the world around, than these we hold so dear.
Familiar Christmas carols sung with reverence in each word;
Soft bells in distant steeples rung as though by angels stirred.
The world's alive with Christmas joy! Come join the merry throng.
You'll find upon your lips a smile, within your heart, a song!"
May God bless you today as you enjoy the lovely lyrics of this poem by Nadine Lybarger.
"The world is bright with Christmas lights --- Wherever did you see
A lovelier sight than shines tonight from housefront, lawn, and tree?
The air is filled with melody: Whenever did you hear
A sweeter sound, the world around, than these we hold so dear.
Familiar Christmas carols sung with reverence in each word;
Soft bells in distant steeples rung as though by angels stirred.
The world's alive with Christmas joy! Come join the merry throng.
You'll find upon your lips a smile, within your heart, a song!"
Monday, December 5, 2016
Christmas Praise!
As we continue our Christmas meditations, I would like to look today at one of my favorite Christmas carols, "O Little Town of Bethlehem". The lyrics of this beautiful carol were penned by Phillips Brooks and the melody by Lewis Redner.
In 1865, Phillips Brooks was on the journey of a lifetime. He was on an extended tour of the Holy Land -- the trip a gift from his parishioners.
On Sunday, December 24, 1865, he rode on horseback from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. He wanted to be present at the Christmas Eve service. The services lasted from 10 p.m. until three in the morning. He was moved with emotion as he listened to hymns of praise, scripture readings and prayers. This Christmas Eve in Bethlehem would remain with him the rest of his life.
Phillips Brooks was known as a man of great compassion and humility who connected well with people of all generations. It was his love for little children that led him to pen the hauntingly beautiful Christmas carol, "O Little Town of Bethlehem." The children of the church were planning a Christmas program, and he wanted a new Christmas song for them to sing. His thoughts drifted back to that Christmas in Bethlehem a few years earlier. Recalling the beauty of the city, the darkness of the night, the pageantry of the story, he quickly wrote four stanzas.
He gave his verses to the church organist, Lewis Redner, requesting that he compose a simple melody that the children could easily memorize for their program a few days later. The night before the Christmas program, Mr. Redner still had not come up with anything. He fell into bed, exhausted, and plunged into a deep sleep. In the middle of the night, he awoke with the strains of a lovely melody ringing in his ears. Hastily, he jotted down the notes and went back to sleep. In the morning he completed the harmony and taught it to the children. That night, in December of 1868, "O Little Town of Bethlehem" was sung for the first time by the children of Philadelphia's Holy Trinity Church.
Now, more than 140 years later, the strains of that haunting carol continue to bless congregations around the world!
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.
For Christ is born of Mary; and, gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond'ring love.
O morning stars together proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth!
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!
I trust that you will often find yourself humming or singing this beautiful carol as you continue to prepare your heart and home for Christmas!
In 1865, Phillips Brooks was on the journey of a lifetime. He was on an extended tour of the Holy Land -- the trip a gift from his parishioners.
On Sunday, December 24, 1865, he rode on horseback from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. He wanted to be present at the Christmas Eve service. The services lasted from 10 p.m. until three in the morning. He was moved with emotion as he listened to hymns of praise, scripture readings and prayers. This Christmas Eve in Bethlehem would remain with him the rest of his life.
Phillips Brooks was known as a man of great compassion and humility who connected well with people of all generations. It was his love for little children that led him to pen the hauntingly beautiful Christmas carol, "O Little Town of Bethlehem." The children of the church were planning a Christmas program, and he wanted a new Christmas song for them to sing. His thoughts drifted back to that Christmas in Bethlehem a few years earlier. Recalling the beauty of the city, the darkness of the night, the pageantry of the story, he quickly wrote four stanzas.
He gave his verses to the church organist, Lewis Redner, requesting that he compose a simple melody that the children could easily memorize for their program a few days later. The night before the Christmas program, Mr. Redner still had not come up with anything. He fell into bed, exhausted, and plunged into a deep sleep. In the middle of the night, he awoke with the strains of a lovely melody ringing in his ears. Hastily, he jotted down the notes and went back to sleep. In the morning he completed the harmony and taught it to the children. That night, in December of 1868, "O Little Town of Bethlehem" was sung for the first time by the children of Philadelphia's Holy Trinity Church.
Now, more than 140 years later, the strains of that haunting carol continue to bless congregations around the world!
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.
For Christ is born of Mary; and, gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond'ring love.
O morning stars together proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth!
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!
I trust that you will often find yourself humming or singing this beautiful carol as you continue to prepare your heart and home for Christmas!
Friday, December 2, 2016
Prose and Praise!
As we enter in to the beautiful and blessed Christmas season, I would like to share with you some lovely Christmas poetry, along with a little background of a few of the favorite Christmas carols. I trust that they will be a blessing as you prepare your heart and home for "The Birthday of the King!"
Let us begin with this poem entitled "Christmas Cards" by Edna Jaques.
Perhaps it will inspire you to send a warm Christmas greeting today!
"How lovely are the sentiments contained in Christmas cards,
As well as dear, heartwarming scenes of snowy trees and yards.
They never change so very much, but who would want it so?
For Christmas seems to just belong to cedar trees and snow.
The greetings on a Christmas card are precious as a gem,
Because old neighbors and old friends send us their love with them ---
Warming our hearts with loving words, making us know that they
Are thinking of dear bygone times, upon this Christmas Day.
A holly wreath, a little church, a lovely lighted door,
Some carol singers in the street, the windows of a store ---
All these are part of Christmastime, like cake and mistletoe,
Because a card arrived today, and sort of told me so!"
Let us begin with this poem entitled "Christmas Cards" by Edna Jaques.
Perhaps it will inspire you to send a warm Christmas greeting today!
"How lovely are the sentiments contained in Christmas cards,
As well as dear, heartwarming scenes of snowy trees and yards.
They never change so very much, but who would want it so?
For Christmas seems to just belong to cedar trees and snow.
The greetings on a Christmas card are precious as a gem,
Because old neighbors and old friends send us their love with them ---
Warming our hearts with loving words, making us know that they
Are thinking of dear bygone times, upon this Christmas Day.
A holly wreath, a little church, a lovely lighted door,
Some carol singers in the street, the windows of a store ---
All these are part of Christmastime, like cake and mistletoe,
Because a card arrived today, and sort of told me so!"
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