Posted on 12/14/2001 1:31:05 PM PST by RnMomof7
During this time of the year we enjoy hearing and singing Christmas Carols. The Christmas Hymns which are found in our church hymnal are filled with much Biblical doctrine. Most if not all of them are like "mini-sermons." Take for example a hymn written by John Wesley in 1739.
Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the new born King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled
Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies.
With the angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem.Christ by highest heaven adored, Christ, the Everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come, Off-spring of the Virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail the Incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.Hail, the heavn's born Prince of Peace! Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, Risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by, Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.
The very first Christmas Carol was sung by angels to the shepherds, almost 2,000 years ago. How thankful we should be that this Carol, sung by the angels, was recorded not in some audible form, but recorded in the holy, inspired and infallible word of God. The Christmas story will be read many times during this season of the year. Parents will gather their children about them and many fathers will read from this portion of Scripture. Luke 2:13 - 14 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." But as these words are read, recited or sung, will the true meaning be understood?
This hymn which the angels sang, contains words which in and of themselves are easy to understand. All of the words are simple one and two syllable words. Most children have some idea what is meant by each of the words. But these are more than mere words. When they are put together in a meaningful sentence, they convey a message. The message is this: God and God alone is worthy to be praised. The angels were singing about a great and glorious salvation which God had provided in His incarnate Son. A salvation which glorified God. The Scriptures record other occasions when angels sang, but on this occasion, when they witnessed God stooping from His throne to become a babe in a manger, they must have lifted their voices to the highest possible intense and fervent praise. Their highest praise had been reserved for the highest act of the Triune God. The hymn writer has captured some of the meaning in these words:
Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation's story,
Now proclaim Messiah's birth;
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the new born King.
SD
One of my favorite lines from a Christmas hymn is from O Little Town of Bethlehem"Word of the Father now in flesh appearing, O come let us adore Him . . . "
Isn't that line from Adeste Fidelis (O Come All Ye Faithful)?
That is my favorite verse too....it is a powerful message..Last week we sang "At The Cross"so none forget what the day really means:>)
Why not sing both. There is a Russ Taff version of On Christ the Solid Rock I stand that would probably make anybody over 50 cringe. Still, it has grown on me, though I still like the original one better.
My chief complaint about hymns is that they seem to be sung so that someone 80 can keep up. It kinda makes the praise drag into the ground.
Merry Christmas
Having said that, its sad to see how far the Methodists have come from the beginnings of their denomination.
I happen to love contemporary music..Do you know the one that goes
"Holy You are still Holy even when the darkness sounds my life. Sovereign, You are still Sovereign, even when confusion has blinded my eyes".Lord I don't deserve your kind affection when my unbelief has kept me from your touch.I want my life to be a pure reflection of Your love .......and so I come into your chambers and dance at Your feet Lord you are my Savior and I'm at your mercy..all that has been in my life up till now.....belongs to You....You are still Holy!
We sang this at my Grandsons wake..He is the Sovereign God that brings rejoicing
Merry Christmans Woody
My chief complaint about hymns is that they seem to be sung so that someone 80 can keep up. It kinda makes the praise drag into the ground.
In no way did I mean to devalue the quality or message of contemporary Christian music. I remember attending a Petra concert in the mid eightees myself. I guess I was trying to say that I am a traditionalist and it is sad to see some things go away.
Some hymns, especially in the Lutheran Church seem to go on and on, very slowly. As a Lutheran friend of mine once told me, "We don't sing any peppy tunes."
There are quite a few good hymns out there. I would be happy if we don't lose them altogether in my lifetime.
You haven't heard this version. I didn't even recognize the words the first 6 times.
I can't say that I know that one, but I do know this one by the NewsBoys: Stepping right up to the microphone I said: "Hey man, there's only one way; one God, one Body, one Faith alone. If you don't know, then you need to be told."
1.Theologically, the "praise choruses" are quite shallow. They tend to stir the emotions without any solid biblical truth for the mind (heart). Hymns, on the other hand, seek to lead the emotions with theological truth.
2. Contemporary music isn't "better," it's just new and different. Because God only receives worship from us that is "acceptable," it necessarily follows that we should be diligent to ensure that our worship is our best. "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14). And, "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24).
We share that opinion..I love the Contempory music but I also love the old songs of our faith..and they are part of our Faith heritage.They need to be passed down to the children.
Merry Christmas
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