Requested by Erlene–Higher Still, sung by Vern Jackson.
P.S.–Thanks, Erlene, to drawing my attention, a few days ago, to Isaiah 3:1-4. The more I think of it, and in light of our own current events, the more it troubles me. I think we’re already being ruled by children. Or by adults whose understanding is no better than a child’s.
Yes, I know–the Creche has been put away, our Christmas tree is down–but let me indulge in one more Christmas carol. I know there have been worse times than this in history–World War II, to name just one of many–but in my own lifetime, this era is far and away the worst I’ve ever seen. If we have ever needed that baby in the manger, we need Him now. Come, Lord Jesus, come!
Hark the Herald Angels Sing, full choir, full orchestra, at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London.
The creche is still on display at St. Francis’ Church, across the street, and our tree is still up in our living room, so… one more Christmas hymn: and again we pray, Father, give this Christmas season power to do its work all year, drawing our hearts to Jesus Christ our Savior and our King.
A spirited rendition of this good old hymn, Good Christian Men, Rejoice! Sorry, I can’t identify the performers. Well done and thank you, whoever you are.
Well, the Creche is still on display at St. Francis’, across the street, and our tree’s still up–so what do you say to a little more Christmas music? How about Nat King Cole, and Hark! the Herald Angels Sing?
I pray the Lord will give this Christmas the power to work all throughout the year.
So what’s he doing, playing this carol two weeks after Christmas?
Just saying again: Christmas needs to work all year. We need for God’s Spirit to be on the job 24/7.
Hence The Angel Gabriel, sung by Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band.
I really didn’t want to write up any more nooze today, so I was happy when Joshua came up with this Christmas hymn request: Angels We Have Heard on High, by Fernando Ortega. Ah, that’s better!
Please join me in prayer.
O Lord our God! In Jesus’ name, please bless this Christmas season and give it power to work all throughout the year, every night and every day, to draw our hearts to Jesus Christ and move us to work and pray for His Kingdom. Amen.
The Holy Spirit can speak to us without words. We can do that, too: for God has given us music.
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel by the Piano Guys, piano and cello and no words. I’d like to know the setting, but won’t insist on it.
This harmless little melody from 1959, The Christmas Tree by David Rose and his orchestra, is one of many we like to play while we’re setting up our Christmas tree; and I wanted to share it with you before the tree comes down. It has the advantage of not having any lyrics that I’ve ever heard, so as not to mislead as to the meaning of the day.
A little happiness never hurt anybody. I was ten years old in 1959, and it remains one of my very favorite years.
The fallen world’s in trouble, headed straight to Hell, needs saving–
So God sent His Son. Not as a conqueror, but as a baby for whom there was no room at the inn. As an adult, He was a penniless wanderer. He was put to death in a shameful manner usually reserved for the worst criminals, although He had committed no crime.
By this His Son God saved the world.
What Child Is This?, sung by the Robert Shaw Chorale.
By now I think the baby Jesus would have been moved out of the manger, and into a cradle in a rented house, where the Wise Men found him. But the manger is such an enduring symbol of Christmas, and I want to hold on to this Christmas a little longer–because I pray for its spirit to work all year long, every day.
So here is Away in a Manger, sung by the Lutheran Warbler.