Mary's Boy child

Mary’s Boy Child can be considered a modern Christmas Carol in some senses, as it was written and recorded in 1956. The song was written by Jester Hairston and first sung by the legendary Harry Belefonte. The song performed remarkably well from the moment it was released and continued to have success into the future.

It regained more popularity in the late 1970’s (1978) when Boney-M recorded their version of the song. Sadly, Jester Hairston has not received the kind of credit his song deserves, but when he died at the age of 98 in 2000, Jester did get credit for his tireless work to preserve the historical Negro spiritual. Part of the work that he did to preserve this genre of music was to direct and work with choral groups throughout his career. Hairston will be remembered for years to come for the excellent contribution he made to the world.

These are the words of the delightful carol. I have underlined the words that mean a lot to me during this Advent Season.

“Long time ago in Bethlehem, so the Holy Bible say, Mary's boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day. 

Hark, now hear the angels sing, a new king was born today, And man will live for evermore, because of Christmas Day. Trumpets sound and angels sing, listen to what they say.  That man will live for evermore, because of Christmas day. 

While shepherds watch their flocks by night, they see a bright new shining star, they hear a choir sing a song, the music seem to come from afar. Now Joseph and his wife, Mary, came to Bethlehem that night, they found no place to bear her child, not a single room was in sight. 

By and by they find a little nook in a stable all forlorn, and in a manger, cold and dark, Mary’s little boy was born, long time ago in Bethlehem, so the Holy Bible say, Mary’s boy child Jesus Christ was born on Christmas day.”

What a gift it is to comprehend that Christmas Day gives us the right and privilege to live forevermore. Eternity is given to us through the miracle of the child of Bethlehem. That is truly amazing!

“Each and every one of you has the power, the will and the capacity to make a difference in the world in which you live in..” – Harry Belefonte

Living in Grace

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The First Noel

The word, Noel, often catches us by surprise in that it has a variety of different versions of the spelling – Nowell, being one of the popular alternatives. It is a French/Gaelic word that has Latin roots (natalis), which means “birthday.”

The following information about the "The First Noel" comes from a very interesting website www.galaxymusicnotes.com. This beloved Christmas carol is regarded to be of Cornish origin. It bloomed at a time when the Medieval civilization of Europe was experiencing "Proto-Renaissance," and could be as old as the 14th century. The story told in the song was inspired by the dramatizations of "Miracle Plays," and it tells the story of "Noel" or "Jesus", depicting the night of his birth in Bethlehem.

The structure of the First Noel bears stark resemblance with medieval French poems, which sadly were never recorded. Thankfully, “The First Noel" was first transcribed around 1823, and was later published in "Gilbert and Sandy’s Carols" in 1833.Williams Sandy’s arranged and edited the carol, while Davies Gilbert pitched in with additional lyrics. Gilbert is also credited for the revival of the song in modern times. 

It was only around 1929, that the English version made an appearance in the "The Cornish Songbook." In modern times, "The First Noel" is performed utilizing a 4 part hymn arrangement created by John Stainer.

For me, the part of the song that stands out during this Advent are these lines:

Then entered in those Wise Men three,

Full reverently upon their knee,
And offered there in his presence,
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense:

It begs the question – What am I bringing to the Lord this Christmas? What do I have to offer my King?

Living in Grace

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From heaven you came...

I am not sure if the song The Servant King is officially considered to be a Christmas Carol, but I truly believe it shares the incarnational message of Jesus, as well as Christ’s painful journey to the cross. The opening line reminds us of how God became one of us (John 1) even though his glory was initially veiled.

Graham Kendrick wrote this song in 1984 as the theme song for the Spring Harvest Bible teaching event. Graham, who is now 70 years old, found the theme of Jesus being a servant king very inspiring. He writes: 'It was a challenge to explore the vision of Christ as the servant who would wash the disciples' feet but who was also the Creator of the universe.'

Graham Kendrick is one of the well-known worship leaders of our generation and some of his most loved songs include: Shine Jesus Shine, Meekness and Majesty, Let the Flame burn brighter, God of the poor and Amazing Love. Enjoy these lyrics of the song and if you don't know the song please google it :)

From heaven you came helpless babe
Entered our world, your glory veiled
Not to be served but to serve
And give Your life that we might live

This is our God, The Servant King
He calls us now to follow Him
To bring our lives as a daily offering
Of worship to The Servant King

There in the garden of tears
My heavy load he chose to bear
His heart with sorrow was torn
'Yet not My will but Yours, ' He said

Chorus

Come see His hands and His feet
The scars that speak of sacrifice
Hands that flung stars into space
To cruel nails surrendered

Chorus

We bring our lives to you
A sacrifice for you
In view of love so true
We are changed, renewed

Let us remember that the innocent child, reaching up to the voice of Mary and Joseph on that cold evening in Bethlehem, was the same man who humbly surrendered as soldiers nailed this same hands to the cross.

Living in Grace

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Joy to the World

Three hundred years old! That is how old the song Joy to the World is. That's incredible!

Written in 1719 by Isaac Watts, this beloved song/hymn still echoes through our churches, schools and carol services across the planet. What is even more interesting is that apparently Isaac Watts didn't even write the words as a song at all. He was busy working on a poetic reflection of the Psalms and was trying to create a modern paraphrase of each Psalm. These were compiled into a book called "The Psalms of David". 

When Isaac read Psalm 98 he was inspired to write the words we sing today (mostly) and when you look at the Psalm in the light of his song, we can see the deep connection. 

Joy to the world, the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare him room And heaven and nature sing!
And heaven and nature sing!
And heaven . . . and heaven . . . and nature sing.

One of the other interesting facts about Isaac Watts' work on the Psalms was that he was trying to read each Psalm in the light of Jesus Christ - the promised Messiah. This is why I love his words even more! As many of you know that was the title of one of my books (Jesus in the Psalms) - I am convinced that the words of the Old Testament become so much more meaningful when read in the light of Christ.

The Challenge for us this Advent is to 'prepare room in our hearts for the coming of Christ.' 

We can only truly sing that 'The Lord is come', if we have made a decision to treat Jesus as our Lord.

Thoughts?

Living in Grace
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It came upon the midnight clear

When Edmund Sears wrote the words of It came upon the midnight clear I am sure he had no clue that we would still be singing this song 200 years later. Rev. Sears, along with many other people, was dealing with great social strife in America as the Civil loomed in their future. His words in the poem, which became a hymn, sought to offer a solace to people and to point them back to the comforting words of God.  

It came upon a midnight clear was first printed in a Boston publication, Christian Register, which was published on 29 December 1849. I think verse three (3) gives us a clear insight in his concerns about the social situation in the U.S.A and likewise speaking into our own times:

“Yet with the woes of sin and strife
The world has suffered long;
Beneath the angel-strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong;
And man, at war with man, hears not
The love-song, which they bring:
O hush the noise, ye men of strife,
And hear the angels sing!”

The gift of this song is that it speaks directly into our context, as much as it did in Edmund’s time. How sad that we are still at war with each other and with God (man, at war with man, hears not), so the challenge to hear the voices of Angels is just as relevant.

Advent gives us the opportunity to listen to the call of God and to respond to God’s overtures of love. The glorious song of old is there to remind us that God can still bring Peace on Earth to all people.

Luke 2:14 - At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

Living in Grace

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Light of the world

I realise that many of us are familiar with the traditional Christmas carols and hymns, but there are also many amazing modern Christmas songs, which I believe will be sung for years to come. Today's song comes from Lauren Daigle and is a moving prayer asking for God to break the silence and to speak to humanity. 

Lauren wrote the song in 2013 and this is what she says about the motivation behind the song:

"I was sitting there in Louisiana and Paul Mabury and Paul Duncan were in Nashville. As the writing process progressed, I was thinking about the 400 years between the Old and New Testaments in the Bible, when God was silent for 400 years. There was stillness in the world, people were searching.

I wonder how that longing was for people living then. To be honest, it kind of reminds me of today and the longing in people. As I think about those many years of silence, I think of the cry of a baby. We put these stories in a parallel position in the lyrics, connecting to our music and hoping for an ultimate connection with people, through God."

This is the gift of Advent - we are also waiting for a message or sign from the Lord. Although we may not get our own audible message, we are constantly drawn to the voice of God who calls out to us: "I see you. I know you. I love you."

These are the words of the song - I also encourage you to google her actual song. You will enjoy it.

"The world waits for a miracle

The heart longs for a little bit of hope
Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel
A child prays for peace on Earth
And she's calling out from a sea of hurt
Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel

And can you hear the angels singing

Glory to the light of the world
Glory, the light of the world is here

The drought breaks with the tears of a mother
A baby's cry is the sound of love
Come down, come down, Emmanuel
He is the song for the suffering
He is Messiah, the Prince of Peace has come
He has come, Emmanuel."

Living in Grace

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Love came down at Christmas

"Love came down at Christmas,

Love all lovely, Love Divine;

Love was born at Christmas,

Star and angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,

Love incarnate, Love Divine;

Worship we our Jesus;

But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,

Love be yours and love be mine,

Love to God and all the world,

Love for plea and gift and sign."

Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830-1894) penned numerous poems in her lifetime. This particular poem, written in 1885, has been put to music by many musicians over the years, including John Rutter and more recently by Christian rock-band, Jars of Clay (in 2007). 

Although this carol is not as popular as many other Christmas hymns, the words are profound in their simplicity. I love the idea of referring to the Incarnation as 'Love coming down.' What better way to describe the act of God, choosing to come to earth in the form of a child? Divine love conjures up the miraculous in order to break through into our brokenness.

I am challenged by the line "Love shall be our token" as this is the call for all Christians to heed. Love is the token of currency we should be using and it is the sure sign of being changed by the Divine Love of Jesus.

John 1:14 (The Message) - 

"The Word became flesh and blood,

    and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
    the one-of-a-kind glory,
    like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
    true from start to finish."

Living in Grace

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