Welcome to the Third Sunday of Advent on Notes of Glory!
We are continuing to celebrate the season of Advent by contemplating the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. As always, here is a short song service created this week just for you, with prelude and postlude music as well as three beloved carols that you can sing at home or wherever you are!
If you are a first-time visitor, click here to find out the story of "Notes of Glory." (You will also find instructions here for listening to music using the SoundCloud windows).
Here's an alphabetical list of all "Notes of Glory" music with links so that you can revisit your favorite hymns/songs.
PRELUDE
(to help you enter into a spirit of worship)
The Wexford Carol
Traditional Irish Carol, arranged for solo piano by Howard Helvey
John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
____________________
Dating to the 16th century or earlier, this carol's exact age is uncertain, but "The Wexford Carol" came to prominence in the late 1800s when Dr. William Grattan Flood (1857-1928), organist and music director at St. Aidan's Cathedral in Enniscorthy (County Wexford, Ireland) began to incorporate it into Christmas services there. In 1928 it was published in The Oxford Book of Carols.
Like many other Christmas carols, "The Wexford Carol" relates the story of Christ's birth. Unlike other carols that simply provide a narrative, "The Wexford Carol" begins in the imperative, with a clarion call to "consider well and bear in mind, what our good God for us has done, in sending his beloved son." These lines frame the entire carol with a sense of depth and reverence, especially when matched with such a poignant melody. And they sum up the essence of the entire celebration of Christmas by pointing us to the truth of the Incarnation: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Indeed, the final line of the final verse reminds us that Jesus is the "Lord of Life," a fitting ending to such a profound and lovely carol. Here's a thoughtful, lyrical piano arrangement by composer, arranger, pianist and organist Howard Helvey of this classic carol: it's lovely as an instrumental solo but will be so much more meaningful if you meditate on the lyrics provided below while you listen.
Good people all, this Christmas time,
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done
In sending his beloved son
With Mary holy we should pray,
To God with love this Christmas Day
In Bethlehem upon that morn,
There was a blessed Messiah born.
The night before that happy tide
The noble virgin and her guide
Were long time seeking up and down
To find a lodging in the town.
But mark how all things came to pass:
From every door repelled, alas!
As long foretold, their refuge all
Was but a humble oxen stall.
Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep;
To whom God’s angels did appear
Which put the shepherds in great fear.
Prepare and go, the angels said,
To Bethlehem, be not afraid;
For there you’ll find, this happy morn,
A princely babe, sweet Jesus born.
With thankful heart and joyful mind,
The shepherds went the babe to find,
And as God’s angel has foretold,
They did our Savior Christ behold.
Within a manger He was laid,
And by His side the virgin maid
Attending to the Lord of Life,
Who came on earth to end all strife.
HYMNS FOR YOU TO SING ANYWHERE
Traditional French Carol
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
____________________
Inspired by the account of the nativity in the Gospel of Luke, this 18th century French carol (Les anges dans nos campagnes) originally consisted of eight stanzas alternately representing a dialogue between the shepherds and the women of Bethlehem (Femmes de Bethlehem). (Even the first stanza contains its own mini-dialogue, between the angels and the mountains). "Angels We Have Heard on High" was first published in French in 1855: an English translation by James Chadwick, Bishop of Hexham (1813-1882) appeared in 1862, but the English version that we sing today was included in Carols Old and Carols New in 1916.
Inspired by the account of the nativity in the Gospel of Luke, this 18th century French carol (Les anges dans nos campagnes) originally consisted of eight stanzas alternately representing a dialogue between the shepherds and the women of Bethlehem (Femmes de Bethlehem). (Even the first stanza contains its own mini-dialogue, between the angels and the mountains). "Angels We Have Heard on High" was first published in French in 1855: an English translation by James Chadwick, Bishop of Hexham (1813-1882) appeared in 1862, but the English version that we sing today was included in Carols Old and Carols New in 1916.
The extended "Gloria" refrain sung by the angels (and now by us!) in this carol is one of its most beautiful features. According to the Center for Church Music,
Many years ago shepherds in the hills of southern France had a Christmas Eve custom of calling to one another, singing "Gloria in Excelsis Deo," each from his own hillside. The traditional tune that the shepherds used may have been from a late Medieval Latin chorale. It became the magnificent chorus of "Angels We Have Heard on High."
If this carol is new to you and you'd like to hear a recording with singing, here are versions by the Cambridge Singers (conducted by John Rutter) and the Robert Shaw Chorale.
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| Public Domain. Courtesy of PDHymns.com |
Angels we have heard on high
sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
echoing their joyous strains.
Refrain:
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
which inspire your heavenly song? [Refrain]
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King. [Refrain]
See Him in a manger laid,
whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
while our hearts in love we raise. [Refrain]
Words by W. Chatterton Dix, "Greensleeves" traditional 16th century English ballad tune
Luke 1:35
And the mountains in reply
echoing their joyous strains.
Refrain:
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
which inspire your heavenly song? [Refrain]
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King. [Refrain]
See Him in a manger laid,
whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
while our hearts in love we raise. [Refrain]
What Child is This
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| Public Domain. Adoration of the Shepherds by Geralrd van Honthorst |
Words by W. Chatterton Dix, "Greensleeves" traditional 16th century English ballad tune
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.
______________________________
The British melody "Greensleeves" is known to date to at least the 16th century: it was mentioned twice in William Shakespeare's play "The Merry Wives of Windsor"(1602) so it was already quite popular by that time. The text "What Child is This?" was originally part of a poem titled "The Manger Throne" written by William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898) who wrote a number of hymns and carols (including the Epiphany hymn "As with Gladness Men of Old") while working most of his life as a manager for a maritime insurance company in Glasgow. Dix wrote "The Manger Throne" in 1865, during a period when he was suffering from serious illness and depression. He began reading the Bible extensively and wrote a number of hymns and poems as a result of the healing and inspiration he experienced. In 1871, part of "The Manger Throne" was extracted as the text for "What Child is This" and was set to "Greensleeves" in Christmas Carols New and Old (1871), most likely by one of the book's editors, British organist and composer Sir John Stainer (1840-1901). (You can see the original printed version here).
In "What Child is This?" we are drawn into the pastoral story of Christ's birth: picturing the child slumbering peacefully, watching the animals eating nearby, observing the shepherds guarding their flocks. But "What Child is This" is more than just a nativity scene in verse. It directs us to Jesus, not just as a sweet baby, but as "Christ the King" who brings salvation to all those who believe in Him and lovingly enthrone Him in their hearts.
If you'd like to hear a version of this carol with singing, here's a beautiful rendition by the King's College Choir.
What Child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
Chorus:
This, this is Christ, the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!
Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.[Chorus]
So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king to own Him.
The King of kings salvation brings;
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.[Chorus]
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Text attributed to John F. Wade. Translated by Frederick Oakley. "Adeste Fideles" tune
Psalm 95:6
Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.
____________________
The history of "O Come All Ye Faithful" involves two countries, three languages, and contributors who are both known and unknown. The Latin text of the carol, "Adeste Fideles" was part of an 18th century manuscript at the College of Douai in northern France. John Francis Wade (1711-1786), an English musician at the college at that time, is often given credit as the author of both the Latin hymn text and the tune, but throughout the past several centuries others have been suggested as possible authors. What is known is that text and tune were first published together in 1751 in Wade's collection Cantus Diversi (you can see what the earliest printed version with music looked like here). British priest and author Frederick Oakley (1802-1880) provided the English translation for verses 1-3 and 6; three additional stanzas added to the original text by other writers were translated by Abbé Etienne Jean François Borderies (1764-1832), bishop of Versailles.
Although we don't know everything about the history of "O Come All Ye Faithful," its profound message is clear. We are invited today, not in the past or future, but now, to behold our Savior, to worship, to praise, to exalt, to give glory in the highest...to adore.
Here's a video showing this great Christmas hymn being sung on Christmas Eve 2013 at Westminster Abbey in London.
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come, and behold Him, born the King of angels!
Refrain:
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!
Sing, choirs of angels; sing in exultation;
sing, all ye citizens of heav'n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest![Refrain]
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv'n!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing! [Refrain]
Good Christian Friends, Rejoice!
German/Latin hymn, 14th Century. Translated by John Mason Neale. "In Dulci Jubilo" tune. Arranged for solo piano by Lloyd Larson.
Luke 1:47
My soul magnifies the Lord,and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Luke 2:11
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:15-18
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.____________________
"In Dulci Jubilo" is a medieval hymn incorporating German and Latin words (this mixture of Latin and a vernacular language is called "macaronic") which dates to at least 1328. It was included in a number of sacred music collections in the 15th and 16th centuries, and numerous English translations exist, including an 1853 version by Anglican priest, scholar, and hymnwriter John Mason Neale (1818-1866) which supplied the title "Good Christian Men, Rejoice" (often sung today as "Good Christian Friends, Rejoice").
This great carol is exciting and dynamic: it calls for rejoicing, and then explains why we should do so "with heart and soul and voice." (All three!). It takes us right back to moment Christ was born, describes the scene, and then proclaims, "He has opened heaven's door, and we are blest forevermore." We rejoice because "now ye need not fear the grave, Jesus Christ was born to save!" This sparkling piano arrangement by Lloyd Larson captures the exuberance of both the lilting tune and the reassuring, jubilant text. Christ is born today!
Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ was born today.
Ox and ass before him bow,
and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today!
Christ is born today!
Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now ye hear of endless bliss:
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He has opened heaven's door,
and we are blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!
Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now ye need not fear the grave:
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all
to gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!
with heart and soul and voice;
give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ was born today.
Ox and ass before him bow,
and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today!
Christ is born today!
Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now ye hear of endless bliss:
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He has opened heaven's door,
and we are blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!
Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now ye need not fear the grave:
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all
to gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!
Here's a playlist including all the music from today's post. Enjoy!
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