Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Day #3 Picks

This is part of my Christmas Song Countdown--see Day 6Day 5, and Day 4

The HYMN:

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
 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 th'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 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!
(listen HERE)

I'm guessing that there are very few other hymns that have the word 'hate' in them. But using this word helps illustrate the total change that the author (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow) went through in his Christmas outlook. The tune of this song, though not that of a bell, reminds the singer of the rising joy felt by all who undertake this transformation. Especially now, when it seems like evil rules the world, let us each remember that "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good will, to men!"

The CHILDREN'S SONG:

The Shepherd's Carol (Round)
(1) Mary, Mary, hush, see the Child.

(2) Joseph, Joseph, look, see how mild!
(3) This is Jesus; this is our King.
(4) This is our Savior; his praises we sing.

(1) All God's children, come to adore,
(2) Bringing gifts of love evermore.
(3) This is Jesus; this is our King.
(4) This is our Savior; his praises we sing.
(listen HERE)

This song is short and simple. It places the points directly before you--This is Jesus, this is our King. This is our Savior, his praises we sing. That's the truth, in the most simple and profound way. There's nothing else to it, really. It's simple, like many of my other picks, and the simple songs are the ones that best reflect the true meaning of Christmas.

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