Wise To Seek Him

We three kings of Orient are,
Bearing gifts we traverse afar.
Field and fountain, moor and mountain.
Following yonder star.

O Star of wonder, star of night.
Star with royal beauty bright.
Westward leading, still proceeding.
Guide us to thy Perfect Light.

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to rein

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh.
Pray’r and praising, all men raising,
Worship Him, God most high.

O Star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright.
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to Thy perfect light.

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume,
Breathes of life of gathering gloom.
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

O Star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright.
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to Thy perfect light,

Glorious now behold Him arise,
King and God and Sacrifice.
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Earth to heav’n replies.

O Star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright.
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to Thy perfect light .

These are words to We Three Kings of Orient Are, and they did bear gifts and traverse afar. Perhaps over moor and mountain. and even field but fountain, is that a waterfall, following the star of wonder, royal beauty bright. It guided them to perfect light, Jesus.

Frankincense offered to a deity most High. An incense, myrrh, a bitter perfume that spoke of bleeding and dying, the cold, sealed, tomb, even as He lay in a stone manger. King and God and Sacrifice. Alleluia!

And the gold, these gifts speak to His Kingship, and God made provision for their flight from Herod. What about the wise men, the magi? They were educated in the science of astrology. What Abraham taught was astronomy, Nimrod corrupted God’s way of displaying signs and seasons, into stargazing and fortune telling of sorts. The enemy attempts to copy God who does ues the heavens and numbers. Magi also has to do with Zoroasterism, but they were opposed to sorcery. Why we need wisdom.

The Bible suggest three wise men, tradition says they are Melichor, king of Persia, who reunited to celebrate with the other magi in 54, A.D. , already and old man with a long, white, beard, when he visited Jesus, he died at 116 on January 1st, 55 A.D. Caspar or Gaspar, which comes from the word gizbar, treasurer, he was believed to be an Indian scholar and stories vary as to whether he passed through the town of Taxila, known for silk or was actually King Gondophares, the other name may have been a title. He is depicted as young and beardless and brought the frankincense. He was martyred, and there are churches names for the Magi in India. Balthazar,  a black man, with a beard, who brought the myrrh, that was a symbol of His death. He supposedly died at 112, four days after Melichor.

While I can’t say for sure, the exact circumstances, it was my understanding two were martyred, surely kings would have sought Him, and they were wise to avoid Herod on their return. The gifts were no coincidence either, God knew what and who He would send. There is a popular quote, that wise men still seek Him, and they do, and wise women too.

I have enjoyed celebrating Christmas in July and learned a lot, and there are still more carols I will eventually read. But for now, we are turning to Hebrew Studies in August, don’t worry, it’s not hard. God bless and be wise, so study. Rebecca Jones / public domain

 

 

Selah

I used to read through the Psalms, and there it was, the five letter little word that popped up now and again.  Selah. Tefillim is Hebrew for  Psalms or prayers. I would see that it was a note to a musical director, I thought of it as a pause, in music or between two Psalms, truthfully, I had no idea what it was. So, what is selah?

Let’s look at the Hebrew. It is used seventy four times in the Bible. In Psalms and three in Habakkuk. The real meaning isn’t known, it does appear to be a musical direction or instruction on reading the Psalm.  Something like, ” Stop and listen. ” The Amplified Bible, translates it as, ” pause and think about that. ”

Since Psalms were accompanied by music, is it any wonder that thirty one of the thirty nine psalms to the choir master include the word selah. It may indicate a break in the song or music. It has a reflected sound of the Arabic salih, valid or truth preserving.  Another interpretation claims selah  comes from the salah meaning hang, or weigh, even as gold is weighed, ironically, David hung the harps  on trees and a lot of the music, wasn’t heard again until recently when some music was published according to the notes of certain Psalms.

Jewish music expert, Suzanne Haik-Vantoura, offers a different view. Her book, the Music of the Bible revealed concludes that selah was not an instruction rather part of the lyrics. Again, much like the amen at the close of a prayer. Pause and crescendo appear in some Bibles, in the margins.

While selah had an heir of mystery to it, we know that it is definitely has a pause or rest to it. Maybe, it is a grace note of sorts. The word “selah” appears to be related to the Hebrew word “salal” which  means to lift up, or to exalt, a musical direction in the Psalms it probably means a lifting up of the voices or instruments either in pitch or in volume. Or again as a lyric, after studying Christmas carols, some very old ones, perhaps it is like the word refrain, so is it a chorus to repeat the psalm? I could not say for sure.

The ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament (the Septuagint) uses the word “diapsalma” to translate “selah”.  Literally, it simply means “through the Psalm”. This doesn’t mean they understood the expression.  Arrangers, composers, and lyricists try to  to create emotional lyrics for the words and message of the song. There must be a reason why this word is included in the inspired text of the Book of Psalms, perhaps only the musicians of the day understood the term or God’s instruction.

If this word was inserted for pitch or volume to be increased, it must mean drawn to what has just been said or sung. We would be wise to pause for a moment at the word selah, focusing on what we just read. We can lift up our thoughts to the Lord in praise or sing the psalm, a pause or a break, the very rest that Jesus offers to the weary, does He offer it in music?

Surely, He does, for He rejoices over us in singing and quiets us with His love. Zephaniah 3:17, and still the word is said to be pronounced, say -lah , and others who see it as a strong rock or city. Well, He is that too. Augustin, from a study of Masoetic text suggested it means, fiat, the Latin for let it be made. Others see it as not as word at all but letters sewn together as an acrostic of sorts, much like the sign over Jesus’ head on the cross. except we know what that meant.

But as a pause or a rest, from reading, singing or worship, day to day life. Selah, pause, rest, sing and worship in His finished work and promises. What does selah mean? Maybe, the Lord only knows. And since He is coming soon, He will tell us, selah. Rebecca Jones

The Magic of Misdirection / Darkness

Growing up I enjoyed a good magic show. We know people aren’t really disappearing or sawed in half. And the hand was often quicker than the eye. Prestidigitators were a staple of birthday parties and amusement. A a lot have gone the way of the circus into more ghost hunting and paranormal. A lot or staged reality television, but I have seen a couple that made me think, ” What have they conjured up” ” I do not recommend these shows. There are many ways to fall into spiritual darkness. Even though in the beginning darkness was good, and still can be in God’s way

I had to admit I was caught off guard that people would practice such things as black magic, to me it was an old torch song, and I never thought anything of it because causeless curses have no effect on believers, right? Had I ever given anyone cause to want to put a curse on me? Has anyone? Well, I didn’t think so. But I did try to help and witness to some drug users, which can be pharmakia, or sorceries. Being in the realm of demonic devices, can make you anxious, tired, oppressed, and it can even be hard to breathe. Always plead the blood over yourself and your family. We did it over schools.

People do this for various reasons, real or imagined. It is like a prayer in reverse. I lived between two people as a girl. I was sensitive to the Spirit and they were superstitious and unsaved. I was aware but not aware, when people know you are a Christian, sometimes they just hate you without a cause, and there goes the causeless curse, they don’t need one to call in the demonic powers of fear, or torment. While the devil may not be able to get you, he can and will annoy you. If you let him. Tormenting spirits, night terrors, from Psalm 91, even sicknesses abound in this darkness,

Even after being blessed and prophetic words spoken over you, he will send out misdirections. I had this happen to me about my writing, I was often thinking of quitting because I was told I needed a real job. I bought into some plausible misdirections as to some personal decisions, I was trying to have great faith. But Jesus knew I believed and just wanted me to trust HIm.When I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit that changed, while I had to learn to follow His directions, learn discernment and not even let others deceive me, for the Lord will not, He won’t mind you asking what to do. Many people anoint their homes with oil, pray over their children’s rooms, discard certain items.

I told a mother who let her daughter read Harry Potter books, just to make sure she knew what they believed as a Christian. You can’t hide them, soon or later they will have to make decisions. I know too many who have been in contact with those who practiced the occult, went to fortune tellers, who have suffered a lot of mental attacks and some who turned to drugs. Even children of believers fall into traps of darkness,

Watching an old movie made me think of this, the magic of misdirection, though it was disappointing and not exactly classic noir, the killer had worn a rubber glove and twisted his wrist to make him look like he had a shriveled hand, a little shoe polish darkened his face and he was thought to have a birthmark or some disfigurement. He had learned from a magician, he said as he laying dying, finally captured by the police.

The most disfigured man in history taught us about this. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Jesus, in Matthew 6:3. Only He was telling the crowd not to give to be seen. He was teaching generosity and healing rather than pride and selfishness. Jesus was never about deception, but He knew it better that anyone, the devil’s bag of tricks. Jesus often moved in healed and disappeared in the crowd because some wanted to kill him. read about the man at the pool of Bethesda.

While I appreciate a good magic show, and the magician’s prowess of sleight of hand or smoke and mirrors. There is a magic we want to avoid, and be sensitive to, delivered of if we are involved in or oppressed by it. Don’t pray these controlling prayers or spells, or curse anyone. And by controlling prayers, I mean things like to make them do something or whatever it takes. Sometimes, we think our prayers are not answered but actually, they have not been received by that person, they still have a free will. Ask the Lord what is affecting your life, you may be in spiritual warfare.

Jesus also perceived things, which is not mind reading, there is a trick to that, because He was a man full of the Holy Spirit, as God, He knew hearts. We should also be quick to perceive and never deceive others or our ourselves, by not obeying God’s Word, it works and it is true and there are two sides of the spiritual and supernatural world. Too often, even as believers, we find ourselves in a battle with the enemy and not knowing how to overcome. But it is not a fair fight, Jesus won for us. Many times fear of the unknown prevents believers from using spiritual gifts.

Thankfully, Jesus did overcome. So we could. I am encouraging to keep your focus on Him. Even a card game and a quick shuffle can fool your eye, we don’t need troubled hearts or fooled ones. There is a shell game and it is one never you never win because the pea is in the hand of the huckster, and never under the shell, he or she chooses to let you win, gain your confidence, and take you for a ride of loss. The devil has his sticky hands in many areas of life, he will set you up and tear you down. It is better to humble yourself and be built up by Jesus, or else it is vain. Don’t let anyone deceive you into darkness, and don’t be afraid either, that gives an open door to enemy devices.

I suppose that’s why I never cared for gambling, though so do, it is addictive, deceptive. Jesus hung on a cross as soldiers cast lots for His garment. How evil is that? Ancient people, used a type of rolling the dice on whether to go to war, even the Nazis were into this occult type or warfare, deception and destruction are evil twins, so are chaos and confusion. One hand doesn’t always wash the other. Everyone will not reciprocate, understand, care or be considerate. So we need wisdom, we need Jesus. Never kid yourself, God is not mocked or amused by the devil’s cons, He cannot lie, and is far above the father of them.

There is a “magic” about Him that is no illusion or deception, the spark that is light and love and drives out all other spiritual adversaries large or small. He may not have you fooled or cast a spell on you. But you are transfixed by His love, and safe under His wing. Even Moses and Solomon approached God in a cloud of darkness, the cloud or dark, mist, in the day and the pillar of fire by night. He might be in that, or the reaches of space, but there is no darkness in Him. Rebecca Jones / public domain

The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was. Exodus 20:21

Then Solomon said, “The LORD has said that he would dwell in thick darkness. (cloud) 2 Chronicles 6:1

God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. 1 John 5:1

 

Lyrics to Live By

There are several songs that I have studied that I won’t be able to post as my month of carols draws to a close, but there are deep words in so many and some I have yet to read. One is call Ancient Law Departs, it is really a clear indicator of what Jesus accomplished on the cross.

Jesus decimated the devil, He gives us back our authority as believers. He does this by the Holy Spirit, people in the Old Testament did not have Him in them, just upon. That is why we are not to go back under the law, we are under grace. Paul warned Jews not to go back to Judaism, Jesus was the sacrifice, he even refers to the law as the ministry of death and grace as the ministry of the Spirit toward the saving of many. I have to add the words.

The ancient law departs,
And all its terrors cease;
For Jesus makes with faithful hearts
A covenant of peace.

The Light of Light divine,
True brightness undefiled,
He bears for us the shame of sin,
A holy, spotless Child.

His infant body now
Begins our pains to feel;
Those precious drops of blood that flow
For death the victim seal.

Today the Name is Thine,
At which we bend the knee;
They call Thee Jesus, Child divine!
Our Jesus deign to be.

I like the song about good King Wenceslas, and how he and a page, helped and fed a poor man in the snow. They gathered firewood and followed in snowy footprints just as we do the Lord’s. Though it is written in ye olde English, and a bit hard to sing and follow the message is clear in the last line. Therefore, Christian men, be sure,Wealth or rank possessing, Ye who now will bless the poor
shall yourselves find blessing.

The words to the carol “Good King Wenceslas” were written by John Mason Neale and published in 1853, but the music originates in Finland some 300 years earlier. This Christmas carol is unusual in the fact it never references the nativity. Good King Wenceslas was the king of Bohemia in the 10th century.

Good King Wenceslas was a Catholic and was martyred.  His Saint’s Day is September 28th, and he is the Patron Saint of the Czech Republic. St. Stephen’s feast day was celebrated on 26th December which is why this song is sung as a Christmas carol. Did he ever help a poor man? Surely, he must have.

The wassailing song was interesting to, sort of a toast to believe for the prospering of the fruit trees, originating in the orchard as far back as 1200, it sounds a little pagan but came to be more of a New Year’s tradition, than a Christmas Carol. Love and joy come to you and to your wassail to, and God bless you and send you a Happy New Year.

And the ever beautiful Ave Maria, Bells of Bethlehem and so many more about His birth, I could and should celebrate all year long. Rebecca Jones / pexels

https://www.songandpraise.org/christmas-hymns-carols.htm

Sunday Bonus: The Real Miracle on 34th Street.

I am always amazed at how much I don’t really know. I have always been captivated by the stories of women and their ability to overcome, their spirit, stamina and faith. And some of the most amazing stories I have never heard of. This girl wasn’t a nurse. Not a starlet or someone who expected to hold a Guiness World record, for free falling. And no, she wasn’t an aviator or a skydiver.

Yet, she is still the real Miracle on 34th Street. Her name is Betty Lou Oliver and she was an elevator operator. That used to be a job before we got to go and head up on our own.  On a July 28th morning in 1945, that should have been a normal day with the Yankees playing ball and people shopping at Macy’s.  In Manhattan, a miracle was about to unfold like the wings of angels, New Yorkers were going about their day, but a few people had to work at the Empire State Building. Betty Lou was one of them, blissfully unaware of the impending tragedy, she stepped in to go to the 80th floor.

A B25 bomber hit the building, throwing her out with burned legs to the 79th floor. People put her into another elevator and she headed down, Moments later, the cable snapped and she began to plummet, hanging on for dear life. Other people were not so fortunate, one man had jumped to his death rather than burn. A woman who called to her friend Joe. who’s clothes were burning escaped and he did as well, but died from his burns. It had to be terrifying to a 20 yr. old or really anyone.

Apparently the elevator activated some brakes and a pocket of air helped break the fall. A pile of elevator cable also acted as a cushion even thought it crashed through the floor and looked like another bomb had hit. No one expected her to survive. But when rescuers opened the doors, there she was and was reported to have said she would alright because the navy was there. A 17 old  had shown up with firemen, seeing the crash, he ran to the drug store demanding first aid supplies.

Betty Lou had a broken back, neck and pelvis, along with her burns. She had survived being thrown out of the elevator, and now falling 79 floors. So you could say that she had two miracles, in a way. When she recovered, she went back to the job, right back to the elevator, comparing it to falling off a horse and getting back on again. She really didn’t remember a lot of that nightmare but nevertheless, she was alive.

She may not have ever expected to be in such a horrific place, the war was far away, and a bomber hitting here was unlikely. Captain Smith was killed along with two passengers. One who was just hitching a ride home, and already had a brother killed, so that was loss for his family. He had missed other skyscrapers and the Empire State Building loomed ahead, it was likely the fog that contributed to the tragic crash that killed eleven other people and injured many. Captain Smith had flown many combat missions and been denied permission to land, when he started circling Manhattan, he would have a break in the clouds but not be able to compensate in time to avoid the collision.

Betty Lou passed away in 1999. Her life was probably pretty normal otherwise, routine and average. She had three children and grandchildren. In 1945, she had her so called fifteen minutes of fame, but it actually still continues to amaze people, she is on You Tube and I saw the story on Mysteries at the Museum.  Some seventy three years later, we are still amazed, though badly injured, she was still a recipient of a miracle. She survived.

In 2001, the Manhattan skyline would change forever and people looked at another tragedy, this time we had television, internet, 24 hr. news. We heard a lot of stories from that day many of them just as or even more miraculous. But Betty Lou Oliver is someone who had a story worth sharing in our month of  miracles, she is the true Miracle on 34th Street. And the movie, had not been made yet. Rebecca Jones / public domain

You can check out more here. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1945_Empire_State_Building_B-25_crash

• You may know I like old movies, Here are a few good ones besides It’s A Wonderful Life, and the musicals.
• The Bells of St. Mary’s
• Come To The Stable
• Christmas In Connecticut
• Never Say Goodbye
• Beyond Tomorrow
• Remember The Night

No Room In Inn

 

No beautiful chamber, no soft cradle bed,
No place but a manger, nowhere for His head;
No praises of gladness, no thought of their sin,
No glory but sadness, no room in the inn.

Refrain

No room, no room, for Jesus,
O give Him welcome free,
Lest you should hear at Heaven’s gate,
“There is no room for thee.”

No sweet consecration, no seeking His part,
No humiliation, no place in the heart;
No thought of the Savior, no sorrow for sin,
No prayer for His favor, no room in the inn.

Refrain

No one to receive Him, no welcome while here,
No balm to relieve Him, no staff but a spear;
No seeking His treasure, no weeping for sin,
No doing His pleasure, no room in the inn.

Refrain

No beautiful bedchamber, not even a wooden manger but of stone. No soft cradle like we think of today, and no where to lay His head, except a cross, where He went willing for us.

Many think they were turned away, but it was crowded and there truly was no room, though I doubt if they thought much of gladness, glory or sin. What truth to the statement though to give Him room, or heaven’s gate, says no room for thee.

No sweet consecration or seeking Him, no humiliation or being convicted of sin, no sorrow or place in the heart, that is the lot of sinners. Unless they pray a prayer for His favor, there is no room in the inn. I can not or would not want to know what life is like without Him.

And being crucified, He came to His own and they did not receive Him, He may have once carried a staff, but now it is a spear in His side. Should there be no seeking His love as a treasure, or weeping over sin, no doing His pleasure, you do have no room in the inn.

We all need to keep room for Him in the inn of our hearts all year long. For should we ever close Him off and listen to the Spirit’s voice, we too, make no room for Him in the inn.

Do you know Jesus as Lord, if not listen to His love call your name today, wherever you are. He is no longer a babe but a risen Lord, and He loved us enough to die. Make room for Him in the inn of your heart. Rebecca Jones / public domain

Please read the SundayBonus.

https://adaughtersgiftoflove.wordpress.com/2018/07/29/sunday-bonus-the-real-miracle-on-34th-street/

Peaceful, The Wondrous Night

Peaceful the wondrous night,
Peaceful and holy,
Under the silv’ry light,
Gleaming afar.
Faithfully watching there,
Shepherds so lowly,
Over the hills so fair,
Saw glory’s star.

Refrain

Hail to the starry night,
Sparkling with glory;
Angels on wings of light,
Thronging the sky.
Hail to that starry night!
Wondrous its story:
Jesus the Prince of Light,
Came from above.

Come with that shepherd band,
Come to the manger;
Join in the chorus grand,
Glory to God!
Worship the holy Child,
Wonderful Stranger,
Give to the Undefiled,
Glory and laud.

Refrain

Sweet favor, thus to bow,
Love’s treasure bringing,
Gratefully yielding now,
Life’s joyful praise.
Hear from the heav’nly height,
Glad echoes ringing,
Blessing and pow’r and might,
Through endless days.

Refrain

Such beautiful words, a peaceful and wondrous night,holy, silvery and gleaming from afar. Shepherds saw the star and of course, the angels were singing. The wings were upon a blanketed starry night sparkling, with glory and light. Can you even imagine being a lowly shepherd and an angelic choir appearing with a message and singing?

Jesus, the Prince of Light, they journeyed with the shepherd band and sang a chorus, and to worship a heavenly child, one who was born undefiled and remained so. They gave Him glory and praise. Sweet favor, love’s treasure He brings, no  wonder we should bow, gratefully yielding praise.

He is our heavenly light, who came from the heavenly height. Now, His glad echoes of blessing, power and might, still rings through endless days, by the power of His Spirit. From a babe, to ministering, crucified and risen. He is mighty, and the power of His Spirit brings healing and love.

Another song I did not know but lovely words of praise for Jesus at His birth, angels were such a part of heaven and the nativity and while there was an interest in the 90’s, I can’t say how much there is today. But I know these heavenly creations are working on behalf of the believers and are in the company of His Spirit. Rebecca Jones / pexels

God Is Love

Come, let us all unite to sing:
God is love!
Let Heav’n and earth their praises bring,
God is love!
Let every soul from sin awake,
Let every heart sweet music make,
And sing with us for Jesus’ sake:
God is love!

Refrain

God is love! God is love!
Come let us all unite to sing that God is love.

O tell to earth’s remotest bound,
God is love!
In Christ we have redemption found,
God is love!
His blood has washed our sins away,
His Spirit turned our night to day,
And now we can rejoice to say:
God is love!

Refrain

How happy is our portion here,
God is love!
His promises our spirits cheer,
God is love!
He is our sun and shield by day,
Our help, our hope, our strength and stay;
He will be with us all the way;
God is love!

Refrain

In Canaan we will sing again:
God is love!
And this shall be our loudest strain:
God is love!
Whilst endless ages roll along,
We’ll triumph with the heavenly throng
And this shall be our sweetest song:
God is love!

Refrain

This is not a familiar song to me, it was written in 1876 by Howard Kingsbury, and set to music by Edmund Simon Lorenz, who immigrated from Russia to Ohio. He was a minister and started music publishing company.

What a wonderful idea, to all be united singing God is love. In Acts 2, they came together in one accord.Heaven and earth should declare and every sinner soul wake to know God is love, and sing with us for Christ’s sake. I believe every heart of a believer should be singing sweet music. God is love. For truly, to the most parts of the world redemption has been found.

His blood has washed away our sins, that is our testimony to overcome and the Holy Spirit can turn our night to day. In heaven there will be no night. For Jesus will light it up with glory. Still, I believe we will rest, it is such an important part of His teaching. It is with rejoicing we can say that God is love.

Psalm 16:5 and 73:26 calls Him our portion. And 119:57 says I have promised to keep your words. Sun and shield, Psalm 84:11 and hope, Hebrews 9:6, He has promised to never leave or forsake in 13:8, and God is love. 1 John 4:8.

While we may not be in Caanan, exactly, it should be our sweetest song and one that is definitely triumphant for Jesus has overcome the enemy so we can. yes, God is love. Rebecca Jones / Pete Bellis, thanks.

Christians Awake

 

Christians, awake, salute the happy morn.
Whereon the Saviour of the world was born,
Rise to adore the mystery of love.
Which hosts of angels chanted from above.
With them the joyful tidings first begun,
Of God incarnate and the Virgin’s Son.

Then to the watchful shepherds it was told,
Who heard the angelic herald’s voice: “Behold,
I bring good tidings of a Saviour’s birth.
To you and all the nations upon earth,
This day hath God fulfilled His promised word;
This day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord.”

He spake, and straightaway the celestial choir,
In hymns of joy, unknown before, conspire.
The praises of redeeming love they sang,
And heaven’s whole orb with alleluias rang.
God’s highest glory was their anthem still,
Peace upon earth and unto men goodwill.

To Bethlehem straight the shepherds ran,
To see the wonder God had wrought for man.
And found, with Joseph and the blessed Maid,
Her Son, the Saviour, in a manger laid.
Amazed, the wondrous story they proclaim,
The earliest heralds of the Saviour’s name.

Let us, like these good shepherds, them employ,
Our grateful voices to proclaim the joy.
Trace we the Babe, who hath retrieved our loss,
From His poor manger to His bitter cross.
Treading His steps, assisted by His grace,
Till man’s first heavenly state again takes place.

Then may we hope, the angelic thrones among,
To sing, redeemed, a glad triumphal song.
He that was born upon this joyful day,
Around us all His glory shall display.
Saved by His love, incessant we shall sing,
Of angels and of angel-men the King.

This song was written as a poem by Englishman John Byron as a gift for his daughter Dorothy, which means gift of God, by the way. Originally, entitled Christmas for Dolly, it was sung and called Christians Awake and set to music by J. Wainright

While there were no Christians per se, at His birth we should be awake to His birth and it is a mystery of the Spirit how He came to be born of a virgin, it takes faith to believe God could do such a miracle or that Jesus would come of His own volition to die for us. Gabriel’s words had been fulfilled.

God’s own Son on earth incarnate, He had appeared in the Old testament as the Angel of the Lord on several occasions but was now the Word made flesh and dwelling among us. John 1:1 What a sight to behold heavens orb lit with angels, ringing alleluias, celestial choirs, conspiring with hymns, peace on earth and good will toward. men.

I never thought about the shepherds running to town but the may have made a dash for Bethlehem to see the child of the Maid, in the manger of stone, where He laid. They certainly heralded the name of Christ the Lord. Like the shepherds we should be able to trace the babe who retrieved our loss, to a bitter cross, His grace allows us to trace His steps, and He was the second Adam redeeming our authority, He desires the world to be in it’s original state. A heavenly state.

Maybe, he, John Byron, thought we would hope to sing with the angels in heaven, but I think we can now, glad songs, for He triumphed on our behalf. We are saved only by His love and of Him incessantly we and the angels will sing.  I wonder what a little girl would have though pf this gift. It was 1745,  273 years later, we are blessed to read it and even be glad it exists, as many carols were lost when they were outlawed by Protestant Oliver Cromwell, they were reinstated in Victorian times as England celebrated Christmas.

Rebecca Jones / Victor, Picjumbo, thanks

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

 

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, goodwill to men
From heavens all gracious King!”
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come,
With peaceful wings unfurled;
And still their heavenly music floats
O’er all the weary world:
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hovering wing,
And ever o’er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.

O ye beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow;
Look now, for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing;
Oh rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing.

For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophets seen of old,
When with the ever-circling years
Shall come the time foretold,
When the new heaven and earth shall own
The Prince of Peace, their King,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.

This is one of my favorites as are most angel songs. The angels bend from heaven to touch their harps of gold. They sing of peace and good will on a clear midnight. It does come our gracious King, and while earth may have been laying in solemn stillness, it was likely not covered in snow but sleep.

Still they come with peaceful wings unfurled wings unfurled and there music sounds over a weary world. I’m sure people were tired because of their travels to pay taxes, and oppression in general.

They must have sung to the shepherds, bending on a hovering wing, and while it was Bethlehem of Judea, the song refers to Babel or Babylon, as a general reference to needing a Savior. The blessed angels sing. And they still do. Over this weary world.

How often we do feel crushed and under life’s load, and toil away/ we are bent over and taking slower steps, we do need to stop along the road and listen to the angels sing and just rest. Rest is what Jesus offers the weary, if we will come and enter in and remain there. He came to set us free.

The days are hastening on that the prophets foretold, closer now that ever before, when there will be a new heaven and earth, with the Prince of Peace as King, and we will both hear and return the song the blessed angels sing, peace and good will. I love this one. Rebecca Jones / public domain

It came Upon A Midnight Clear was a poem by Edmund Hamilton Sears, a Massachusetts minister, 1849. Set to music by Richard Storrs Willis in 1859. It endures as a lovely and profound Christmas carol.