Good morning. I hope that you are enjoying this direction for our thoughts for the day in the week before Christmas. I have been sharing information and thoughts about some of our favorite Christian hymns and songs.
One thing that seems quite evident in this project is that most of our favorite hymns and songs were written long ago. Today’s features song is nor different. It goes back to the late 1600s, although no one seems to know the exact date of its writing. The author has never been in question, since the words are attributed to Irish hymnist, lyricist, Poet Laureate, Nahum Tate. The melody for the song is generally attributed to the “Roud Folk Song Index.” The English tune “Winchester Old” continues to be the melody used in England for this hymn, but in the U.S. the melody written by Lowell Mason in an arrangement of a Handel aria has been sung for about 150 years.
The reason I wanted us to consider more deeply this particular Christmas hymn is because it is a wonderful example of a Christian/Christmas song coming directly from Biblical text. Luke 2:8-14 is the text that tells us about the shepherds who were minding their own business, watching over their sheep as they did every other night, when suddenly everything dramatically changed. Without warning, in an instant, there was an angel in the sky speaking to them, telling then that the Messiah had come, that he was a tiny baby wrapped in rags and lying in a manger. Just as suddenly, it seemed as though heaven had sprung a leak! The sky was filled with angels, all giving praise and singing with great joy.
The lyrics of “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” tells the story:
While shepherds watched their flocks by night
All seated on the ground
The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone around
“Fear not”, said he, for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind
“Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind”
“To you, in David’s town this day
Is born of David’s line
The Savior who is Christ the Lord
And this shall be the sign”
“The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands
And in a manger laid”
“All glory be to God on high
And on the earth be peace
Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men
Begin and never cease”
The shepherds heard the words and songs of the angels and then hurried into town to personally witness the wonderful event. They found the Christ exactly as described. They worshiped him in awe, wonder, and joy. And then they left Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus to share with everyone who would listen what they now knew to be true: The Messiah of God has come! It is the greatest news of the greatest joy! Come and see Him for yourselves and celebrate!
The message of the angels continues to resonate within the hearts of the grateful of mankind. We continue to be in awe, amazed at the wonder of it all.
When we sing the songs of Christmas, we should allow the truth of their message to find its way into our hearts and minds. The Word of Jesus, our Messiah, continues to be the greatest news of incredible joy.
Enjoy the Spirit of the season!
Vern