The first Noel

 

                                                The First Noel

Out in the fields lay shepherds keeping their sheep and word came to them by an angel that their king was born in the town of Bethlehem. There were also wise men who heard of this extraordinary event. The Bible doesn’t say how many wise men there were, just that they came bearing three gifts of Frankincense, Myrrh and gold. All of them followed a star that rested on Bethlehem. There they worshipped the King of Israel.

Lyrics by an Old English Carol, arranged by W. Sandy’s “Christmas Carol”

“The First Noel the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

And by the light of that same Star, three wise men came from country far; To seek for a King was their intent, and to follow the Star wherever it went.

This Star drew nigh to the northwest, O’er Bethlehem it took its rest, and there it did both stop and stay, right over the place where Jesus lay.

Then entered in those wise men three, fall reverently upon their knee, and offered there in His presence, their gold, and Myrrh, and frankincense.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.”

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Silent Night! Holy Night!

 

                                                Silent Night! Holy Night!

Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem for the census. There were many people in town, and it is hard to imagine that the night was silent. However, if the soon to be baby was expected to be born, those who knew of it can be silently waiting for the Holy night to bring forth a Savior. Once Jesus was born the Heavenly hosts were singing Hallelujah. The star shone down on His face, and the shepherds and wise men looked upon Him in humble amazement.

Lyrics by Joseph Mohr, arranged by Franz Grueber

“Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright round yon virgin mother and child. Holy infant so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight, glorious stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!

Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light radiant beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord at thy birth, Jesus, Lord at thy birth.

Silent night, holy night, wonderous star, lend thy light; with the angels let us sing, Alleluia to our King; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.

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While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

 

                                    While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

It was while the shepherds were watching their flocks that angels appeared and told them not to be afraid. They spoke to the shepherds of a baby born of David’s line in the town of Bethlehem. A baby that will bring peace and good will to all men here on earth. All this to the glory of God on high.

Lyrics by Nahum Tate, arranged by George F. Handel

“While shepherds watched their flocks by night, all seated on the ground, the angel of the Lord came down, and glory shone around, 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 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, and this shall be the sign.

“The heavenly babe you there shall find to human view displayed, all meanly wrapped in swathing band, and in the manger laid, and in the manger laid.

“All glory be to God on high, and to the earth be peace; Good will hence forth from heaven to me, begin and never cease, begin and never cease.”

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It Came upon the Midnight Clear

 

                                                    It Came upon the Midnight Clear

This time of year, we join in the songs of Christmas and our voices blend into chorus’ of happiness. Just imagine what it would sound like if we could hear the voices of the angels. I don’t think we could imagine how melodious it would really be. We have angels all around us and we are told they sang at Jesus’ birth and are always singing His praises. Let’s take this season to join in with the angels and praise Him not only today but every day.

Lyrics by H. Sears, arranged by Richard S. Willis

“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, good will to men, from heaven’s 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 over all the weary world; Above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hovering wing: And ever over its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing.

And 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; O rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing.

For lo, the days are hastening on, by prophet bards foretold, when with the ever-circling years comes round the age of gold; When peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling and the whole world give back the song which now the angels sing.”

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O Come All Ye Faithful

 

                                                O Come All Ye Faithful

What a joyous day that was when Jesus Christ was born. Wouldn’t it be great if we had been there to witness His birth? To know that He was born to be our Savior and the Son of God. Praises be to God, our Father for caring so much for us to send His one and only Son to be born on earth. This time of year everyone seems to gather together to sing praises to the newborn King. This day should be celebrated every day of the year and not just on Christmas Day. His birthday outshines all birthdays and gives us reason to sing in jubilee. Glory to God in the Highest.

Lyrics by Frederick Oakeley, arranged by John F. Wade

“O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, o come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold Him born the King of angels;

Sing choirs of angels, sing in exultation, O sing all ye bright hosts of heaven above; Glory to God, all glory in the highest.

Yea, Lord we greet Thee, born this happy morning, Jesus to Thee be all glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him Christ, the Lord.  Amen.

 

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O Little Town of Bethlehem

 

                                    O Little Town of Bethlehem

It was the stars that shown above Bethlehem that brought the Wisemen to baby Jesus. The lights above illuminated where Jesus lay, and the angels were all around Him. The birth of baby Jesus brought hope to all who heard of His birth and visited Him in the manger. Songs broke out in praise for the peace that Jesus was to bring to all mankind. Even today, we praise His name and request His presence in our life.

Lyrics by Phillips Brooks, arranged by Lewis H. Redner

“O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above Thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by; Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary; and gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love. O morning stars, together proclaim the Holy birth, and praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth.

How silently, how silently the wondrous gifts is given! So, God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming; but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.

O Holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell, O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel.”

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Hark the Angels Sing

 

                                                   Hark the Angels Sing

Jesus, born in a manger, birthed by a virgin, came to bring peace, mercy and reconciliation to all sinners. All believers who believed that this child was a miracle sent from God hailed and praised him as the newborn King. He came with healing powers and the Love of God. He came to earth to live among sinners in an upside world. He came to die so that we may live.

Lyrics by Charles Wesley, arranged by Felix Menelssohn Bartholdy

“Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; peace on earth, and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled.” Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; with angelic hosts proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem.”

Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, offspring of a virgin’s womb, veiled in flesh the God-head see, Hail the incarnate deity! Pleased as man with men to appear, Jesus our Immanuel  here.

Hail the heaven born prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings; Mild He lays His glory by, born that man may no more die; born to raise the sons of earth; born to give them second birth.

Come, desire of nations come! Fix in us Thy humble home; Rise the woman’s conquering seed, bruise in us the serpent’s head; Adam’s likeness now efface, stamp thine image in its place; Second Adam from above, Reinstate us in Thy Love.”

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