Glory to the Newborn King!
Yes, we celebrated Christmas yesterday.
We celebrated the birth of our Savior with feasts, gifts, prayers, songs, and grateful hearts. Many of you may be pulling down decorations today, finishing up holiday leftovers, and moving forward.
Here on "Notes of Glory" we're going to hit "pause" briefly and enjoy one more week of what some churches call the season of "Christmastide" which actually begins on Christmas Day!
Today, music will be featured which focuses on our response to the birth of Christ: our joy, our wonder, our awe. We give thanks for the gift of Jesus, and for the miracle of the Incarnation as we sing songs that convey our reactions and compel us to action--to share the Good News!
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 prepare you to worship with joy!)
What is this Lovely Fragrance?
(Quelle est cette odeur agréable?)
Traditional French carol. Arranged for solo piano by Larry Shackley
Isaiah 28:5
In that day the Lord of hosts will be a crown of glory,and a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of his people.
Revelation 22:16
I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.
__________________________
Traditional African-American Spiritual, Words adapted by John Wesley Work II
"What is this lovely fragrance?" dates to 17th-century France. In this carol, as in the others featured today, Christ is (already) born: the lyrics are about how we (and various characters in the Nativity story) respond to that. The first two stanzas ask questions that are related to our senses. First, the shepherds are asked about the ravishingly beautiful fragrance that fills the air... not a typical question for rural shepherds caring for animals not known for their appealing smell! The lovely fragrance is Christ, metaphorically described as "gentler than all the flow’rs of springtime, wafting from heav’n in sweet delight." In the second stanza, the sense of sight is summoned as questions are asked about the dazzling star that guided the Magi to Christ (who himself is the morning star, see Revelation 22:16). The third stanza answers the questions posed earlier by directing us toward "our Redeemer, Lord, and King."
The traditional folk melody matched with this carol perfectly reflects the beauty of the lyrics, and Larry Shackley's arrangement for solo piano featured here is full of warmth and tenderness.
Shepherds, what is this lovely fragrance,
Filling the air this wondrous night?
Gentler than all the flow’rs of springtime,
Wafting from heav’n in sweet delight.
Shepherds what is this lovely fragrance,
Filling the air this wondrous night?
What is this light, so clear so brilliant,
Filling the sky before our eyes?
Brighter than day a star is shining,
Ne’er have we seen such radiant skies!
What is this light, so clear so brilliant,
Filling the sky before our eyes?
In Bethlehem in lowly manger,
Lies our Redeemer, Lord, and King.
Come, let us hasten to adore Him,
And there to Him, our praises sing!
In Bethlehem in lowly manger,
Lies our Redeemer, Lord and King.
HYMNS TO SING WHEREVER YOU ARE
(transposed to easily singable keys!)
Go, Tell it on the Mountain
Traditional African-American Spiritual, Words adapted by John Wesley Work II
Isaiah 40:9-11
Go on up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good news;
lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good news;
lift it up, fear not;
say to the cities of Judah,
“Behold your God!”
Behold, the Lord God comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.
O Zion, herald of good news;
lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good news;
lift it up, fear not;
say to the cities of Judah,
“Behold your God!”
Behold, the Lord God comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.
Matthew 28:19
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Luke 2:15-20
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. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.____________________
The refrain of the great African-American spiritual "Go Tell it on the Mountain," echoing Isaiah 40 and recalling the Great Commission in Matthew 28, boldly tells us what to do with the news of Jesus's birth. We're not to acknowledge it quietly and go on with business as usual. We're to share the Gospel, the Good News, "that God sent us salvation, that blessed Christmas morn," far and wide . . . "over the hills and everywhere."
This spiritual which dates to at least 1865 (and perhaps earlier) was first notated and published by John Wesley Work II (1871-1925). Work served as the director of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, the pioneering vocal ensemble from Fisk University that first performed traditional African-American spirituals in concert here and abroad, bringing awareness of this vital musical form to the world.
Here's a short video that provides more information about "Go, Tell it on the Mountain."
Here's Mahalia Jackson singing "Go, Tell it on the Mountain, and here is a version by the Staples Singers.
Now: it's your turn to sing!
Go tell it on the mountain,
over the hills and everywhere;
go tell it on the mountain
that Jesus Christ is born!
While shepherds kept their watching
o’er silent flocks by night,
behold throughout the heavens
there shone a holy light. [Refrain]
The shepherds feared and trembled
when lo! above the earth
rang out the angel chorus
that hailed our Savior’s birth. [Refrain]
Down in a lowly manger
the humble Christ was born,
and God sent us salvation
that blessed Christmas morn. [Refrain]
Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne
Words by Emily Elizabeth Steele Elliot, Music by Timothy R. Matthews
Matthew 8:20
And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Mark 13:26-27
And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
John 14:2
In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?____________________
Here's another hymn that focuses on Jesus's birth as having happened (the lyrics in the first four verses use the past tense) and then reminds us that this historical event should initiate a personal response now (the short refrain to each verse is in the present tense). In "Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne," the Incarnation is not just a pretty story to ponder once a year, but invites us to open our hearts to Jesus each day, and to "make room" for him, welcoming Christ to sit not on the sidelines of our lives but on the very throne of our hearts. A wonderful aspect of this hymn is that the lyrics recall the Nativity and then recount Jesus's life, death, resurrection, and second coming. From the very first line of "Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne," Jesus's majesty is emphasized while being juxtaposed with his act of entering this world and suffering on our behalf. He is not just a lowly babe in the manger, he is "Lord Jesus" with a "royal degree." Our King came to earth "with great humility," and left his "kingly crown," willingly taking up "a crown of thorn." The final stanza points to Jesus's return, and our joy in being united with Him as believers.
The author of these poignant lyrics was British hymn writer Emily Elizabeth Steele Elliott (1836-1897), who was the daughter of an Anglican clergyman and niece of Charlotte Elliott, author of "Just As I Am." Emily Elliott wrote a number of hymn collections, including one titled "Under My Pillow" which was intended to comfort those who were ill or suffering. "Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne" (like another beloved Christmas hymn, "Once in Royal David's City") was originally written to teach children about the life of Christ and the significance of the Incarnation. The beautiful melody by English clergyman and organist Timothy Richard Matthews (1836-1897) was composed specifically for this text.
If this hymn is new to you (and it may be!) you may enjoy hearing this recording by George Beverly Shea. As always, the sheet music and lyrics are posted below, and I've recorded a piano accompaniment (that should be in a comfortable key for you, hopefully!) to guide you through the singing of this hymn. I hope you'll give this theologically rich and beautiful hymn it a try: perhaps it will become a new Christmastide favorite!
Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem's home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
Heaven's arches rang when the angels sang,
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,
And in great humility.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest
In the shade of the forest tree;
But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God,
In the deserts of Galilee.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
Thou camest, O Lord, with the living word
That should set Thy people free;
But with mocking scorn, and with crown of thorn,
They bore Thee to Calvary.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
When the heavens shall ring, and the angels sing,
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying "Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for thee."
My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,
When Thou comest and callest for me.
Words by Josiah G. Holland, Music by Karl P. Harrington
Luke 2:10-14And 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 Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem's home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
Heaven's arches rang when the angels sang,
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,
And in great humility.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest
In the shade of the forest tree;
But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God,
In the deserts of Galilee.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
Thou camest, O Lord, with the living word
That should set Thy people free;
But with mocking scorn, and with crown of thorn,
They bore Thee to Calvary.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
When the heavens shall ring, and the angels sing,
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying "Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for thee."
My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,
When Thou comest and callest for me.
There's a Song in the Air
Words by Josiah G. Holland, Music by Karl P. Harrington
Luke 2:10-14
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Philippians 2:5-11
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
________________________________
"There's a Song in the Air" was written in 1872 by American novelist, poet, and editor Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819-1881) and was published a collection of Sunday School songs titled The Brilliant. Holland had a long and varied literary career, and he and his wife were friends and longtime correspondents with the poet Emily Dickinson. As a result of Holland's multi-faceted presence in American literary life of the mid-1800s, this hymn has a definite historically poetic quality not unlike two other American Christmas hymns from this era, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," and "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear." Although some of the language in "There's a Song in the Air" seems a bit unusual to us today (i.e. "the beautiful sing" does not refer to physical beauty but rather to the angels praising God, and, in the third verse, to those who realize Christ as Savior) and there is some romantic-era idealism ("every hearth is a-flame" is a longing for the realization of "every knee shall bow" as in Philippians 2:5-11), this hymn is still a lovely way to celebrate the ebullient joy we experience when recalling Christ's birth.
If this hymn is new to you (and again, it might be!) give a listen to this recording of "There's a Song in the Air" by Dick Anthony's 16 Singing Men. Then give this hymn a try!
There's a song in the air!
There's a star in the sky!
There's a mother's deep prayer
and a baby's low cry!
And the star rains its fire
while the beautiful sing,
for the manger of Bethlehem
cradles a King!
There's a tumult of joy
o'er the wonderful birth,
for the virgin's sweet boy
is the Lord of the earth.
Ay! the star rains its fire
while the beautiful sing,
for the manger of Bethlehem
cradles a King!
In the light of that star
lie the ages impearled;
and that song from afar
has swept over the world.
Every hearth is aflame,
and the beautiful sing
in the homes of the nations
that Jesus is King!
We rejoice in the light,
and we echo the song
that comes down through the night
from the heavenly throng.
Ay! we shout to the lovely
evangel they bring,
and we greet in his cradle
our Savior and King!
POSTLUDE
(to help you go forth with joy!)
Jesus, Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child!
(Glory to the Newborn King)
Words and music by Margaret Wells Allison, arranged by Larry Shackley
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!”
______________________
Although described often as a traditional spiritual, "Jesus! Oh What a Wonderful Child" (also often titled "Glory to the Newborn King" most likely was composed by Margaret Wells Allison (1921-2008), founder of the Angelic Gospel Singers. (Here's an article that explores the history of this song in greater detail, and a recording of the Angelic Gospel Singers performing this song).
The upbeat, joy-filled song tells us that "new life, new hope, new joy He brings." Along with the angels, we cry out, "Glory, Glory, Glory to the newborn King." Composer and arranger Larry Shackley captures that joy in this gospel-inspired piano arrangement.
Jesus, Jesus
Oh what a wonderful child
Jesus, Jesus
So lowly meek and mild
New life, new hope, new joy He brings
Won't you listen to the angels sing
Glory, glory, glory
To the newborn King
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