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!