Christmas Carols - 7

Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Gave thee life, and bid thee feed,
By the stream and o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing woolly, bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice?
Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?

Little Lamb, I'll tell thee,
Little Lamb, I'll tell thee:
He is callèd by thy name,
For He calls Himself a Lamb.
He is meek, and He is mild:
He became a little child.
I a child, and thou a lamb,
We are callèd by His name.
Little Lamb, God bless thee!
Little Lamb, God bless thee!

William Blake (1757-1827)

Christmas Carols - 6

When the crimson sun had set
Low behind the wintry sea,
On the bright
And cold midnight
Burst a sound of heavenly glee:

Chorus:
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds watching by their fold,
On the crisp and hoary plain,
In the sky
Bright hosts espy,
Singing in a gladsome strain. Chorus

Where the manger crib is laid,
In the city fair and free,
Hand in hand,
This shepherds band
Worship Christ on bended knee. Chorus

Join with us in welcome song,
Ye who in Christ's Home abide,
Sing the Love
Of God above,
Shown this happy Christmas-tide. Chorus

Rev. Charles Lewis Hutchins, Carols Old and Carols New (Boston: Parish Choir, 1916)

Christmas Carols - 5

On Christmas night all Christians sing,
To hear the news the angels bring;
On Christmas night all Christians sing,
To hear the news the angels bring:
News of great joy, news of great mirth,
News of our merciful King’s birth.

Then why should men on earth be sad,
Since our Redeemer made us glad:
Then why should we on earth be sad,
Since our Redeemer made us glad:
When from our sin He set us free,
All for to gain our liberty.

When sin departs before Your grace,
Then life and health come in its place;
When sin departs before Your grace,
Then life and health come in its place;
Angels and men with joy may sing,
All for to see the newborn King.

All out of darkness we have light
Which made the angels sing this night;
All out of darkness we have light
Which made the angels sing this night:
“Glory to God and peace to men,
Now and forevermore. Amen.”

Traditional Sussex Carol

Christmas Carols - 4

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 th’angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ, by highest Heav’n adored;
Christ the everlasting Lord;
Late in time, behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Charles Wesley (1743) and others.

Christmas Carols - 3

See Him lying on a bed of straw:
A draughty stable with an open door.
Mary cradling the babe she bore:
The Prince of glory is His name.

O now carry me to Bethlehem
To see the Lord appear to men:
Just as poor as was the stable then,
The Prince of glory when He came!

Star of silver, sweep across the skies,
Show where Jesus in the manger lies;
Shepherds, swiftly from your stupor rise
To see the Saviour of the world!

O now carry me to Bethlehem
To see the Lord appear to men:
Just as poor as was the stable then,
The Prince of glory when He came!

Angels, sing again the song you sang,
Bring God's glory to the heart of man;
Sing that Bethlehem's little baby can
Be the Saviour of us all.

O now carry me to Bethlehem
To see the Lord appear to men:
Just as poor as was the stable then,
The Prince of glory when He came!

Mine are riches, from Thy poverty;
From Thine innocence, eternity;
Mine, forgiveness by your death for me,
Child of sorrow for my joy.

O now carry me to Bethlehem
To see the Lord appear to men:
Just as poor as was the stable then,
The Prince of glory when He came!

Michael Perry (1942-1996)

Our photo today is a bit of a surprise! No, it was not taken in a church, rather it was taken in the refectory of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer on Papa Stronsay. During the Christmas Season their refectory is transformed into a stable with Baby Jesus at the centre. The priests and brothers sing carols at all their Christmas meals. What a lovely tradition!

Those of us who have copies of their lovely 2010 Papa Stronsay Calendar also know that they celebrate 'Little Christmas' every month of the year on the 25th day. Although the straw doesn't appear, they do sing carols at the main meal on each of these days of the year.

We have much to learn from the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer, and I am delighted that they are moving towards becoming fully integrated into the Diocese of Aberdeen. Thanks be to God! Do please remember them in your prayers during this festive season.

Happy Sunday!

Christmas Carols - 2

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes;
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my bedside till morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray;
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
And fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there.

Verses 1 & 2, anonymous, in Little Children’s Book for Schools and Families, by J. C. File (Philadelphia, Pennylvania: Evangelical Lutheran Church in North America, 1885). Some sources show the author as Martin Luther; this attribution (probably incorrect) is based on the title “Luther’s Cradle Hymn,” given to these words by the composer, James Murray, in his Dainty Songs for Little Lads and Lasses (Cincinnti, Ohio: The John Church Co., 1887). Verse 3 is by John T. Mc Farland (1851-1913).

Sweet dreams!

Christmas Carols - 1

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;
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Saviour is born,
Christ the Saviour 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
Wondrous star, lend thy light;
With the angels let us sing,
Alleluias to our King;
Christ our Saviour is born,
Christ our Saviour is born!

Josef Mohr (1792-1848)

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

Advent Hymns - 26

Come, Thou Redeemer of the earth,
And manifest Thy virgin birth:
Let every age adoring fall;
Such birth befits the God of all.

Begotten of no human will,
But of the Spirit, Thou art still
The Word of God in flesh arrayed,
The promised Fruit to man displayed.

The virgin womb that burden gained
With virgin honour all unstained;
The banners there of virtue glow;
God in His temple dwells below.

Forth from His chamber goeth He,
That royal home of purity,
A giant in twofold substance one,
Rejoicing now His course to run.

From God the Father He proceeds,
To God the Father back He speeds;
His course He runs to death and hell,
Returning on God’s throne to dwell.

O equal to the Father, Thou!
Gird on Thy fleshly mantle now;
The weakness of our mortal state
With deathless might invigorate.

Thy cradle here shall glitter bright,
And darkness breathe a newer light,
Where endless faith shall shine serene,
And twilight never intervene.

All laud to God the Father be,
All praise, eternal Son, to Thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To God the Holy Paraclete.

St Ambrose (340-397)
Translated J M Neale (1818-1866)

Well, tomorrow I shall be starting a new series of posts entitled 'Christmas Carols.' Also, of course, the blog will return to its usual cheery colour scheme!

Advent Hymns - 25

Now in holy celebration
sing we of that Mother blest,
in whose flesh for men's salvation
God incarnate deigned to rest,
when a kindred salutation
named in faith the mystic Guest.

Lo, the advent Word confessing,
spake for joy the voice yet dumb,
through his mother's lips addressing
her, of motherhood the sum,--
bower of beauty, blest and blessing,
crowned with fruit of life to come.

"Whence," she cried, at that fair meeting,
"comes to me this great reward?
For when I first heard the greeting
of the Mother of my Lord,
in my womb, the joy repeating,
leapt my babe in sweet accord!"

Lo, at that glad commendation
joy found voice, in Mary's breast
while in holy exultation
she her Maker's power confessed,
at whose word each generation
now henceforward names her blest.

Triune Godhead, health supplying,
Ruler of eternity,
on the fount of grace relying,
we uplift our hearts to thee,
praying that in realms undying
we at one with Life may be.

Words: Latin, fifteenth century;
trans. Laurence Housman, 1906

Advent Hymns - 24

The angel Gabriel from heaven came,
his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;
"All hail," said he, "thou lowly maiden Mary,
most highly favoured lady," Gloria!

"For know a blessed Mother thou shalt be,
all generations laud and honour thee,
thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold,
most highly favored lady," Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,
"To me be as it pleaseth God," she said,
"my soul shall laud and magnify his holy Name."
Most highly favoured lady, Gloria!

Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born
in Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn,
and Christian folk throughout the world will ever say--
"Most highly favoured lady," Gloria!

Basque Carol - translated by Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924)

Advent Hymns - 23

Hark! the glad sound! the Saviour comes,
the Saviour promised long:
let every heart prepare a throne,
and every voice a song.

He comes the prisoners to release
in Satan's bondage held;
the gates of brass before him burst,
the iron fetters yield.

He comes, the broken heart to bind,
the bleeding soul to cure;
and with the treasures of his grace
to enrich the humble poor.

Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,
thy welcome shall proclaim;
and heaven's eternal arches ring
with thy beloved Name.

P Doddridge (1702-1751)

Advent Hymns - 22

Hark! a herald voice is calling:
'Christ is nigh,' it seems to say;
'Cast away the dreams of darkness,
O ye children of the day!'

Startled at the solemn warning,
Let the earth-bound soul arise;
Christ, her Sun, all sloth dispelling,
Shines upon the morning skies.

Lo! the Lamb, so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from heaven;
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
One and all to be forgiven;

So when next he comes with glory,
Wrapping all the earth in fear,
May he then as our defender
On the clouds of heaven appear.

Honour, glory, virtue, merit,
To the Father and the Son,
With the co-eternal Spirit,
While unending ages run.

6th century - Translated by E Caswall

Happy Sunday!

Advent Hymns - 21

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.

By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Charles Wesley (1745)

Advent Hymns - 20

On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry
announces that the Lord is nigh;
awake and hearken, for he brings
glad tidings of the King of kings.

Then cleansed be every breast from sin;
make straight the way for God within,
prepare we in our hearts a home
where such a mighty Guest may come.

For thou art our salvation, Lord,
our refuge and our great reward;
without thy grace we waste away
like flowers that wither and decay.

To heal the sick stretch out thine hand,
and bid the fallen sinner stand;
shine forth and let thy light restore
earth's own true loveliness once more.

All praise, eternal Son, to thee,
whose advent doth thy people free;
whom with the Father we adore
and Holy Ghost for evermore.

C Coffin (1676-1749)

Advent Hymns - 19

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Refrain

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.

Refrain

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.

Refrain

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Refrain

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.

Refrain

O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.

Refrain

O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree,
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call.

Refrain

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.

Refrain

18 century - based on the Great 'O' Antiphons.

Advent Hymns - 18

Here we see the lovely North Yorkshire town on Helmsley - which gives its name to the wonderful tune for todays hymn.



Lo! he comes, with clouds descending,
once for our salvation slain;
thousand thousand saints attending
swell the triumph of his train:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Christ the Lord returns to reign.

Every eye shall now behold him,
robed in dreadful majesty;
those who set at nought and sold him,
pierced, and nailed him to the tree,
deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing,
shall the true Messiah see.

Those dear tokens of his passion
still his dazzling body bears,
cause of endless exultation
to his ransomed worshipers;
with what rapture, with what rapture, with what rapture
gaze we on those glorious scars!

Now redemption, long expected,
see in solemn pomp appear;
all his saints, by man rejected,
now shall meet him in the air:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
See the day of God appear!

Yea, amen! let all adore thee,
high on thine eternal throne;
Saviour, take the power and glory;
claim the kingdom for thine own:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou shalt reign, and thou alone.

C Wesley (1758) and J Cennick (1750)

This is my favourite Advent hymn!

Advent Hymns - 17

When came in flesh the incarnate Word,
the heedless world slept on,
and only simple shepherds heard
that God had sent his Son.

When comes the Saviour at the last,
from east to west shall shine
the awful pomp, and earth aghast
shall tremble at the sign.

Then shall the pure of heart be blest;
as mild he comes to them,
as when upon the virgin's breast
he lay at Bethlehem.

As mild to meek eyed love and faith,
only more strong to save;
strengthened by having bowed to death,
by having burst the grave.

Lord, who could dare see thee descend
in state, unless he knew
thou art the sorrowing sinner's Friend,
the gracious and the true?

Dwell in our hearts, O Saviour blest;
so shall thine advent's dawn
'twixt us and thee, our bosom-guest,
be but the veil withdrawn.

J Anstice (1808-36)

Advent Hymns - 16

The advent of our God
with eager prayers we greet,
and singing haste upon his road
his glorious gift to meet.

The everlasting Son
scorns not a Virgin's womb;
that we from bondage may be won
he bears a bondsman's doom.

Daughter of Zion, rise
to meet thy lowly King,
let not thy stubborn heart despise
the peace he deigns to bring.

In clouds of awful light,
as judge he comes again,
his scattered people to unite
with them in heaven to reign.

Let evil flee away
ere that dread hour shall dawn,
let this old Adam day by day
God's image still put on.

Praise to the Incarnate Son,
who comes to set us free,
with God the Father, ever One,
to all eternity.

C Coffin (1676-1749)

Yes, I am aware that by now we have two purple candles and the rose candle lit on the wreath!

Advent Hymns - 15

On this Gaudate Sunday, a note of real joy rings through our liturgy.



Wake, o wake! with tidings thrilling
the watchmen all the air are filling,
arise, Jerusalem, arise!
Midnight strikes! no more delaying,
"The hour has come!" we hear them saying.
Where are ye all, ye virgins wise?
The Bridegroom comes in sight,
raise high your torches bright!
Alleluia!
The wedding song swells long and strong:
go forth and join the festal throng.

Zion hears the watchmen shouting,
her heart leaps up with joy undoubting,
she stands and waits with eager eyes;
See her Friend from heaven descending,
adorned with truth and grace unending!
Her light burns clear, her star doth rise.
Now come, thou precious Crown,
Lord Jesus, God's own Son!
Hosanna!
Let us prepare to follow there,
where in thy supper we may share.

Every soul in thee rejoices;
from men and from angelic voices
be glory given to thee alone!
Now the gates of pearl receive us,
Thy presence never more shall leave us,
we stand with angels round thy throne.
Earth cannot give below
the bliss thou dost bestow.
Alleluia!
Grant us to raise to length of days,
the triumph-chorus of thy praise.

P Nicolai (1556-1608)

Happy Sunday!

Advent Hymns - 14

Thy kingdom come, O God!
Thy rule, O Christ begin!
Break with thine iron rod
the tyrannies of sin!

Where is thy reign of peace,
and purity and love?
When shall all hatred cease,
as in the realms above?

When comes the promised time
that war shall be no more,
oppression, lust, and crime
shall flee thy face before?

We pray thee, Lord, arise,
and come in thy great might;
revive our longing eyes,
which languish for thy sight.

Men scorn thy sacred Name,
and wolves devour thy fold;
by many deeds of shame
we learn that love grows cold.

O'er lands both near and far
thick darkness broodeth yet:
arise, O Morning Star,
arise, and never set!

L Hensley (1827-1905)

Advent Hymns - 13

Ye servants of the Lord,
each in his office wait,
observant of his heavenly word,
and watchful at his gate.

Let all your lamps be bright,
and trim the golden flame:
gird up your loins, as in his sight,
for aweful is his Name.

Watch; 'tis your Lord's command,
and while we speak, he's near;
mark the first signal of his hand,
and ready all appear.

O happy servant he,
in such a posture found!
He shall his Lord with rapture see,
and be with honour crowned.

Christ shall the banquet spread
with his own royal hand,
and raise that favoured servant's head
amid the angelic band.

P Doddridge (1702-51)

Advent Hymns - 12

Behold! the mountain of the Lord
In latter days shall rise
On mountain tops above the hills,
And draw the wondering eyes.

To this the joyful nations round,
All tribes and tongues, shall flow;
Up to the hill of God, they’ll say,
And to His house we’ll go.

The beam that shines from Zion hill
Shall lighten every land;
The King Who reigns in Salem’s towers
Shall all the world command.

Among the nations He shall judge;
His judgments truth shall guide;
His sceptre shall protect the just,
And quell the sinner’s pride.

No strife shall vex Messiah’s reign
Or mar the peaceful years;
To plowshares soon they beat their swords
To pruning hooks their spears.

No longer hosts encountering hosts,
Their millions slain deplore;
They hang the trumpets in the hall
And study war no more.

Come then, O house of Jacob, come
To worship at His shrine;
And, walking in the light of God,
With holy beauties shine.

Scottish Paraphrases (1781) based on Isaiah 2:2-6 and Micah 4: 1-5

Advent Hymns - 11

Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates;
behold the King of glory waits!
The King of kings is drawing near;
the Saviour of the world is here.

O blest the land, the city blest,
where Christ the ruler is confessed!
O happy hearts and happy homes
to whom this King of triumph comes!

Fling wide the portals of your heart;
make it a temple, set apart
from earthly use for heaven's employ,
adorned with prayer and love and joy.

Redeemer, come, with us abide;
our hearts to thee we open wide;
let us thy inner presence feel;
thy grace and love in us reveal.

G Weissel (1590-1635) Translated Catherine Winkworth (1829-78)

Of course, these are only the back gates to my house!

Advent Hymns - 10

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.



God the Father sends his angel
from his throne in heav'n above;
when the angel speaks to Mary,
Mary's heart is full of love.

Gabriel says: 'Rejoice, O Mary,
full of grace: the Lord is near.
You will bear God's Son, O Maiden:
God has promised, have no fear'.

Mary says:
'I am God's servant;
I will keep his holy Word;
I will gladly be the mother
of my Saviour and my Lord'.

Now the Spirit overshadows
God the Father's chosen one:
she becomes the maiden-mother
of the Father's only Son.

God the Word, the Father's Wisdom
comes on earth as Mary's child:
God, our glory, shines among us,
God with us is reconciled.

Praise the Father, fount of blessing,
praise his Son, whom Mary bore,
praise the Lord of life, the Spirit,
praise one God for evermore.

James Quinn (b. 1919)

Happy Feast!

Advent Hymns - 9

Waken, O sleeper, wake and rise,
salvation's day is near,
and let the dawn of light and truth
dispel the night of fear.

Let us prepare to face the day
of judgement and of grace,
to live as people of the light,
and perfect truth embrace.

Watch, then, and pray, we cannot know
the moment or the hour,
when Christ, unheralded, will come
with life-renewing power.

Then shall the nations gather round
to learn his ways of peace,
when spears to pruning-hooks are turned,
and all our conflicts cease.

Michael Forster (b. 1946)

Advent Hymns - 8

Today we focus on the Word of God in the Old Testament.



These are the days of Elijah,
Declaring the word of the Lord:
And these are the days of Your servant Moses,
Righteousness being restored.
And though these are days of great trial,
Of famine and darkness and sword,
Still, we are the voice in the desert crying
'Prepare ye the way of the Lord!'

Behold He comes riding on the clouds,
Shining like the sun at the trumpet call;
Lift your voice, it's the year of jubilee,
And out of Zion's hill salvation comes.

These are the days of Ezekiel,
The dry bones becoming as flesh;
And these are the days of Your servant David,
Rebuilding a temple of praise.
These are the days of the harvest,
The fields are as white in Your world,
And we are the labourers in Your vineyard,
Declaring the word of the Lord!

Behold He comes riding on the clouds,
Shining like the sun at the trumpet call;
Lift your voice, it's the year of jubilee,
And out of Zion's hill salvation comes.

Copyright: Daybreak Music Ltd

Happy Sunday!

Advent Hymns - 7

The Lord will come and not be slow,
his footsteps cannot err;
before him righteousness shall go,
his royal harbinger.

Truth from the earth, like to a flower,
shall bud and blossom then;
and justice, from her heavenly bower,
look down on mortal men.

Surely to such as do him fear
salvation is at hand!
And glory shall ere long appear
to dwell within our land.

Rise, God, judge thou the earth in might,
this wicked earth redress;
for thou art he who shalt by right
the nations all possess.

The nations all whom thou hast made
shall come, and all shall frame
to bow them low before thee, Lord,
and glorify thy Name.

For great thou art, and wonders great
by thy strong hand are done:
thou in thy everlasting seat
remainest God alone.

Advent Hymns - 6

Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King.
Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King.
Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
We’re going to see the King!

No more crying there, we are going to see the King.
No more crying there, we are going to see the King.
No more crying there, we are going to see the King.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
We’re going to see the King!

No more dying there, we are going to see the King.
No more dying there, we are going to see the King.
No more dying there, we are going to see the King.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
We’re going to see the King!

Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King.
Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King.
Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
We’re going to see the King.!

Advent Hymns - 5

Hardly an Advent Hymn - but as this is the 1,000th post on this blog, I cannot resist it! The hymn is a great one for All Saints' Day - but I suppose in some ways it looks forward to the Second Coming. This may happen before I reach my 10,000th post!



Ten thousand times ten thousand
in sparkling raiment bright,
the armies of the ransomed saints
throng up the steeps of light;
'tis finished, all is finished,
their fight with death and sin;
fling open wide the golden gates,
and let the victors in.

What rush of alleluias
fills all the earth and sky!
what ringing of a thousand harps
bespeaks the triumph nigh!
O day, for which creation
and all its tribes were made;
O joy, for all its former woes
a thousandfold repaid!

O then what raptured greetings
on Canaan's happy shore;
what knitting severed friendships up
where partings are no more!
Then eyes with joy shall sparkle,
that brimmed with tears of late;
orphans no longer fatherless,
nor widows desolate.

Bring near thy great salvation,
thou Lamb for sinners slain;
fill up the roll of thine elect,
then take thy power, and reign;
appear, Desire of nations,
thine exiles long for home;
show in the heaven thy promised sign;
thou Prince and Saviour, come.

Taking up some thoughts from this hymn, I ask you to pray for the repose of the soul of my father (Ronnie) who died on 5 December 1961.

Finally, what is the answer? One hundred million, of course!

Advent Hymns - 4

Make way, make way, for Christ the King
In splendour arrives
Fling wide the gates and welcome Him
Into your lives

Make way!
Make way!
For the King of kings
Make way!
Make way!
And let His kingdom in

He comes the broken hearts to heal
The prisoners to free
The deaf shall hear, the lame shall dance
The blind shall see

Make way!
Make way!
For the King of kings
Make way!
Make way!
And let His kingdom in

And those who mourn with heavy hearts
Who weep and sigh
With laughter, joy and royal crown
He'll beautify

Make way!
Make way!
For the King of kings
Make way!
Make way!
And let His kingdom in

We call you now to worship Him
As Lord of all
To have no gods before Him
Their thrones must fall!

Make way!
Make way!
For the King of kings
Make way!
Make way!
And let His kingdom in

Advent Hymns - 3

Jesus came--the heavens adoring--
came with peace from realms on high;
Jesus came for man's redemption,
lowly came on earth to die:
Alleluia, alleluia!
came in deep humility.

Jesus comes again in mercy,
when our hearts are bowed with care:
Jesus comes again in answer
to our earnest heart-felt prayer;
Alleluia, alleluia!
comes to save us from despair.

Jesus comes to hearts rejoicing,
bringing news of sins forgiven:
Jesus comes in sounds of gladness,
leading souls redeemed to heaven;
Alleluia, alleluia!
now the gate of death is riven.

Jesus comes on clouds triumphant,
when the heavens shall pass away;
Jesus comes again in glory;
let us then our homage pay;
Alleluia, alleluia!
till the dawn of endless day.

Advent Hymns - 2

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of St Andrew.



Thou art coming, O my Saviour,
Thou art coming, O my King,
In Thy beauty all resplendent,
In Thy glory all transcendent;
Well may we rejoice and sing:
Coming! in the opening east
Herald brightness slowly swells;
Coming! O my glorious Priest,
Hear we not Thy golden bells?

Thou art coming, Thou art coming;
We shall meet Thee on Thy way,
We shall see Thee, we shall know Thee,
We shall bless Thee, we shall show Thee
All our hearts could ever say:
What an anthem that will be,
Ringing out our love to Thee,
Pouring out our rapture sweet
At Thine own all glorious feet.

Thou art coming; at Thy altar
We are witnesses for this;
While remembering hearts Thou meetest
In communion clearest, sweetest,
Earnest of our coming bliss,
Showing not Thy death alone,
And Thy love exceeding great;
But Thy coming and Thy throne,
All for which we long and wait.

Thou art coming, we are waiting
With a hope that cannot fail,
Asking not the day or hour,
Resting on Thy Word of power,
Anchored safe within the veil.
Time appointed may be long,
But the vision must be sure;
Certainty shall make us strong,
Joyful patience can endure.

O the joy to see Thee reigning,
Thee, my own belovèd Lord!
Every tongue Thy Name confessing,
Worship, honour, glory, blessing
Brought to Thee with glad accord;
Thee, my Master and my Friend,
Vindicated and enthroned;
Unto earth’s remotest end
Glorified, adored, and owned!

What a fabulous hymn!

Happy Feast!

Advent Hymns - 1

Here we see Ben Wyvis (a Munro just North West of Inverness) covered in snow.



Hills of the North, Rejoice!
River and mountain spring,
Hark to the advent voice;
Valley and lowland, sing;
Though absent long, your Lord is nigh;
He judgment brings and victory.

Isles of the southern seas,
Deep in your coral caves
Pent be each warring breeze,
Lulled be your restless waves:
He comes to reign with boundless sway,
And makes your wastes His great highway.

Lands of the East, awake,
Soon shall your sons be free;
The sleep of ages break,
And rise to liberty.
On your far hills, long cold and grey,
Has dawned the everlasting day.

Shores of the utmost West,
Ye that have waited long,
Unvisited, unblest,
Break forth to swelling song;
High raise the note, that Jesus died,
Yet lives and reigns, the Crucified.

Shout, while ye journey home;
Songs be in every mouth;
Lo, from the North we come,
From East, and West, and South.
City of God, the bond are free,
We come to live and reign in thee!

This is of course the theme tune for my blog.

Happy New Year!

Stirling Castle - 6

This coming Monday is of course St Andrew's Day - he is the Patron Saint of Scotland.



St Andrew's celebration at Stirling Castle

£110 plus VAT per person

Historic Scotland is delighted to announce it’s first St Andrew's Ceilidh at Stirling Castle. This event is the perfect setting for a final celebration of the Scottish Homecoming Year 2009.

The St Andrew's Celebration at Stirling Castle will take the format of a contemporary Scottish evening with a mixture of modern entertainment throughout the night, finishing with a ceilidh band guaranteed to get everyone swinging and dancing.

With a fine selection of entertainment and high quality menu, this event will provide a unique opportunity to entertain guests in the Great Hall at Stirling Castle.

Menu
Cock a Leekie Soup
Roast, Stuffed Saddle of Lamb with rosemary and garlic, Gratin potatoes, savoy cabbage and carrots
Mixed Crème Brulee with shortbread
Coffee & Tablet

Dress:
Black Tie/Highland Dress

Seating:
Seating will be by table plan. Tables can be reserved for parties of up to 10.

Programme for the Night Includes
7pm Pre-dinner drinks including sparkling wine and selection of soft drinks in the Chapel Royal
8pm Dinner in the Great Hall
9.45pm Entertainment and dancing to a modern style Ceilidh band
Midnight Auld Lang Syne
12.15am Carriages

What a fabulous evening it sounds!

Well tomorrow we shall start a new series of posts to lead us up to Christmas - Advent Hymns. The blog will also assume a more sombre colour scheme until the great feast arrives. We shall return to Stirling Castle towards the end of January.

Stirling Castle - 5

The Great Hall is a magnificent setting for a banquet!



Alleluia!
Salvation, glory, and power to our God:
Alleluia!
his judgments are honest and true.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia!
Sing praise to our God, all you his servants,
Alleluia!
all you who worship him, great and small.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia!
The Lord our all-powerful God is King;
Alleluia!
let us rejoice, sing praise, and give him glory.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia!
The wedding feast of the Lamb has begun,
Alleluia!
and his bride is prepared to welcome him.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Stirling Castle - 4

Here we see the magnificent ceiling of the Great Hall.



The original hammerbeam roof was removed in 1800, along with the decorative crenellated parapet, when the hall was subdivided to form barracks. Two floors and five cross-walls were inserted, and the windows were altered accordingly. As early as 1893, calls were being made for the restoration of the Great Hall, but it was not until the army left in 1965 that the opportunity arose.

It was agreed that a historically correct restoration could be achieved, and works began which were only completed in 1999. The hammerbeam roof and parapet were replaced, windows reinstated, and the outer walls were lime-washed.

Stirling Castle - 3

Here we see James IV’s Great Hall – the largest medieval banqueting hall ever built in Scotland.



Situated on a volcanic outcrop guarding the lowest crossing point of the River Forth, Stirling Castle is a great symbol of Scottish Independence and a source of enduring national pride. The castle’s long, turbulent history is associated with great figures from Scotland’s past, such as William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots. It has seen many royal dramas and witnessed the lives and deaths of almost every Scottish monarch up to the Union of the Crowns in 1603.

Stirling Castle - 2

Stirling Castle has a less military feel to it nowadays, compared with Edinburgh Castle. Here is a lovely garden to the South side of the Royal Palace.



Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s grandest castles due to its imposing position and impressive architecture. It commands the countryside for many miles around.

It towers over some of the most important battlefields of Scotland’s past including Stirling Bridge, the site of William Wallace’s victory over the English in 1297, and Bannockburn where Robert the Bruce defeated the same foe in the summer of 1314.

While the castle remains open, the Palace itself is currently shut as part of a major project to present the King’s and Queen’s Lodgings as they might have appeared in the mid 16th century. The Palace will reopen in March 2011.

Stirling Castle - 1

Although Edinburgh Castle is more famous, and attracts far more visitors, most connoisseurs reckon that Stirling Castle is superior!



Here we see the grand approach to the castle up the esplanade. Stirling Castle is situated in the centre of Stirling and is well connected by road and rail to Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Christ the King

On this final Sunday of the Church's Year, we celebrate with great joy the Feast of Christ the King.



Let earth rejoice! Let all creation sing!
Heav'n adds its praises to the Saviour King.
Around the throne the shouts of triumph ring.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

To earth he came, a child so long ago
Light in our darkness, grace and truth to show.
The Word of life, whose gospel now we know.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Despised, rejected, he was crucified;
Suffering Servant, on the cross he died;
true Lamb of God, salvation to provide.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

He rose again, and bursting from the grave
reigns high in glory, who our sins forgave,
now we rejoice, as those he came to save.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

So on this day, O Christ our mighty King,
let all the faithful, praise and honour bring,
our voices blend with heaven's choirs to sing:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Copyright: Peter Simpson & Michael Saward - Jubilate Hymns

Happy Feast!

Tomorrow, we are off to Stirling Castle.

Elcho Castle - 5

To the south of the castle there was a courtyard enclosed by an outer wall.



Today, gardens and grounds surrounded the complex. Recently, Historic Scotland have planted old fashioned varieties of apple trees in the orchard - and if you visit the castle towards the end of September, you can help yourself to some of them - free of charge!

Elcho Castle - 4

Apart from a new roof and new window glazing in the 1830s, the castle has changed little since it was built – a large tower house with smaller towers projecting from it, some round and others square.

Elcho Castle - 3

Elcho is of particular interest as showing the transition from castle to mansion building in Scotland. The castle manages to combine an imposing exterior with an interior that provided the noble occupants and their guests with considerable comfort and privacy.

The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
He made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

Not politically correct!

Elcho Castle - 2

There is little history attached to the castle. It simply served as a fine house in the country for the laird and his lady, their family and servants, who lived mainly at their chief seat, Wemyss Castle, on the coast of Fife. By the mid-18th century, Elcho was no longer being used as a noble residence at all, but repairs carried out by the 8th Earl in about 1830 secured its future, and in 1929 the 11th Earl entrusted it into state care.

Elcho Castle - 1

Elcho Castle is located on the banks of the River Tay, three miles South East of Perth.



The Castle is one of Scotland’s best-preserved 16th-century tower houses. It was built around the time of the Protestant Reformation in 1560 by a member of the family of Wemyss of that Ilk. The family could trace their lineage back to the 12th century. A descendant of the builder of Elcho was created Lord Wemyss of Elcho in 1628 and Earl of Wemyss in 1633.

Huntingtower Castle - 4

The gap between these two towers is over 3 metres - would you like to leap from the top of one tower to the other? Click on the photo below to read the story!



Tomorrow we are off to Elcho Castle.

33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

In today's Gospel we think about the Second-Coming. 'The sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness, the stars will come falling from heaven and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.'



Sun and moon shall darkened be,
stars shall fall, the heavens shall flee;
Christ will then like lightning shine,
all will see his glorious sign;
all will then the trumpet hear,
all will see the Judge appear;
thou by all wilt be confessed,
God in man made manifest.

Happy Sunday!

Huntingtower Castle - 3

Despite alterations in the later 17th century, Huntingtower retains real treasures from its medieval past. These include one of the oldest painted ceilings surviving in Scotland, and exquisite fragments of wall frescoes.