Tag: advent devotional

A Canticle for Advent: Every Breath Hallelujah

barnstormingblog1 Comment
Madonna and Child by Orazio Gentileschi
Madonna and Child by Orazio Gentileschi

I’ve heard about this baby boy
Who’s come to earth to bring us joy
And I just want to sing this song to you
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
With every breath I’m singing Hallelujah
Hallelujah

A couple came to Bethlehem
Expecting child, they searched the inn
To find a place for You were coming soon
There was no room for them to stay
So in a manger filled with hay
God’s only Son was born, oh Hallelujah
Hallelujah

The shepherds left their flocks by night
To see this baby wrapped in light
A host of angels led them all to You
It was just as the angels said
You’ll find Him in a manger bed
Immanuel and Savior, Hallelujah
Hallelujah

A star shown bright up in the east
To Bethlehem, the wisemen three
Came many miles and journeyed long for You
And to the place at which You were
Their frankincense and gold and myrrh
They gave to You and cried out Hallelujah
Hallelujah

I know You came to rescue me
This baby boy would grow to be
A man and one day die for me and you
My sins would drive the nails in You
That rugged cross was my cross, too
Still every breath You drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah
by Cloverton (original version by Leonard Cohen)

We just returned from one of our favorite music events of the season: the Lynden Christian Schools Christmas Choral Concert conducted by Ryan Smit.  At the end of the concert,  before the traditional “surround-sound” version of “Peace, Peace” and “Silent Night”, Ryan had asked each high school chorus member to choose one person in their life who would join them in singing the Hallelujah Chorus from “Handel’s Messiah”.   Over sixty members of the community — siblings, parents, grandparents and various special others,  then joined the chorus in singing “Hallelujah” with each breath.

I didn’t learn the Messiah until I was over fifty years old and regret not having learned it when I was 15 so that I could have sung it all my life.   It is a wonderful sight and sound to see people from multiple generations singing this beautiful chorus together.  May every breath we draw be Hallelujah.

lc
Tonight’s Lynden Christian High School/Community Chorus

 

A Canticle for Advent: God and Man Closely Joined

barnstormingblog1 Comment
Ornament by Bill Owen
Ornament by Bill Owen

1. Willie, get your little drum,
Robin, bring your flute and come.
Aren’t they fun to play upon?
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan;
When you play your fife and drum,
How can anyone be glum?

2. When the men of olden days
Gave the King of Kings their praise,
They had pipes to play upon.
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan;
And also the drums they’d play,
Full of joy, on Christmas Day.

3. God and man today become
Closely joined as flute and drum.
Let the joyous tune play on!
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan;
As the instruments you play,
We will sing, this Christmas Day.
~Bernard de La Monnoye  17th century

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeiLED8ln8M

 

…Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him.
32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.
~John 13:31-32

The incarnation of God as Man is far more profound than the joining of flute and drum to make joyous music.
We historically have trivialized the birth of Jesus to scale it to a size more comfortable for our limited comprehension.
Little drummer boys, kindly oxen, loyal donkey, cute angels, lots of tu-re-lus and pat-a-pans.

The reality is: nothing is the same as it was– a big bang –but this one has happened in our hearts.
By coming and joining to us, God changed everything and changed us.

How is it, knowing this,  anyone can be glum?

A Canticle for Advent: Stars Were Glowing

barnstormingblog1 Comment

1002556_581472858054_326807933_n

Jesus, Jesus, rest your head.
You has got a manger bed.
All the evil folk on earth
Sleep in feathers at their birth.
Jesus, Jesus, rest your head.
You has got a manger bed.

1. Have you heard about our Jesus?
Have you heard about his fate?
How his mammy went to the stable
On that Christmas Eve so late?
Winds were blowing, cows were lowing,
Stars were glowing, glowing, glowing.

2. To the manger came the Wise Men.
Bringing from hin and yon,
For the mother and the father,
And the blessed little Son.
Milkmaids left their fields and flocks
And sat beside the ass and ox.
~Appalachian Carol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBKjkxV0edY

40 There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. 41 The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor. 42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable;
1Corinthians 15: 40-42

There is splendor in the humility of an earthly body sleeping on straw in a feed trough, so vulnerable, so frail, so perishable.  There is splendor that even the stars glowed brighter knowing this Star had fallen to earth.
Glowing, glowing, never ever gone.

 

A Canticle for Advent: The Silent Word is Pleading

barnstormingblog1 Comment
Madonna of the Straw by Antony Van Dyck
Madonna of the Straw by Antony Van Dyck

1. What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

2. Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

3. So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcomeit.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John1:1-5, 14Most Christians grew up singing this beautiful carol to the tune “Greensleeves” not really thinking about the profound words in the second verse.   This is the shadow of the cross over the manger and the reason for Advent: the Word made Flesh, pleading for our salvation, dying so that we may live, shining His light in our darkness.   There is nothing that says it more clearly than this hymn, so familiar, so full of His grace and truth.

A Canticle for Advent: Turning the World Around

barnstormingblog2 Comments

8F623E2A-8EB3-4D33-9799B1E9951297FA

1. My soul cries out with a joyful shout
that the God of my heart is great,
And my spirit sings of the wondrous things
that you bring to the ones who wait.
You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight,
and my weakness you did not spurn,
So from east to west shall my name be blest.
Could the world be about to turn?

Refrain
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!

2. Though I am small, my God, my all,
you work great things in me,
And your mercy will last from the depths of the past
to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame,
and to those who would for you yearn,
You will show your might, put the strong to flight,
for the world is about to turn.

3. From the halls of power to the fortress tower,
not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears
ev’ry tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more,
for the food they can never earn;
There are tables spread, ev’ry mouth be fed,
for the world is about to turn.

4. Though the nations rage from age to age,
we remember who holds us fast:
God’s mercy must deliver us
from the conqueror’s crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forebears heard
is the promise which holds us bound,
‘Til the spear and rod can be crushed by God,
who is turning the world around.
~by Rory Cooney, Canticle of the Turning (a version of the Magnificat)

 

His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
Luke 1: 50-51

He, only He, can turn our world around with his mighty arm.  He, only He, knows how and when the turning will happen.
He, only He, came to us to save us from ourselves and will return again
as we continue to betray His Word,
as we turn away from Him even when He seeks us out from the manger and from the cross.

A Canticle for Advent: Betelehemu, City of Wonder

barnstormingblog1 Comment
Scene of Peace by Rembrandt
Scene of Peace by Rembrandt

Awa yi o ri Baba gbo jule
Awa yi o ri Baba fehenti

Nibo labi Jesu,
nibo lagbe bii

Betelehemu ilu ara,
nibe labi Baba o daju

Iyin, nifuno
Adupe fun o, jooni,

Baba olo reo
Iyin, fun o Baba anu, Baba toda wasi

We are glad that we have a Father to trust.
We are glad to have a Father to rely upon.

Where was Jesus born?
Where was he born?

Bethlehem the city of wonder.
That is where the Father was born for sure.

Praise, Praise, Praise be to Him
We thank Thee, We thank Thee for this day,

Gracious Father.
Praise be to Thee, Merciful Father.

Nigerian Carol

 

 

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
Micah 5:2

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to  Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
Luke 2:15

 

A Canticle for Advent: O Great Mystery

barnstormingblog1 Comment
The Nativity by Federico Fiori Barocci
The Nativity by Federico Fiori Barocci

O magnum mysterium et admirabile sacramentum
O magnum mysterium et admirabile sacramentum
Ut animalia viderent Dominum natum
Viderent Dominum natum
Jacentem in proesepio, jacentem in proesepio

O beata virgo, cujus viscera me ruerunt portare
Dominum Jesum Christum

Alleluja, Alleluja, Alleluja
Alleluja, Alleluja, Alleluja
Alleluja!

English translation:

O great mystery,
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the new-born Lord,
lying in a manger!
Blessed is the Virgin whose womb
was worthy to bear
Christ the Lord.
Alleluia!
traditional chant from Matins, music from Morten Larudisen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KvrbYZB2vY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y9yM53TowA
Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,
    was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
    was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
    was taken up in glory.
1Timothy 3:16

Perhaps it is the mystery of the thing that brings us back, again and again, to read the story.
How can this be?  God appearing on earth first to animals, then the most humble of humans.
How can He be?  Through the will of the Father and the breath of the Spirit, the Son was, and is and yet to be.

O great mystery beyond all understanding.

A Canticle for Advent: The World is Sleeping

barnstormingblog3 Comments

nextdoor

Still, still, still,
One can hear the falling snow.
For all is hushed,
The world is sleeping,
Holy Star its vigil keeping.
Still, still, still,
One can hear the falling snow.

Sleep, sleep, sleep,
‘Tis the eve of our Saviour’s birth.
The night is peaceful all around you,
Close your eyes,
Let sleep surround you.
Sleep, sleep, sleep,
‘Tis the eve of our Saviour’s birth.

Dream, dream, dream,
Of the joyous day to come.
While guardian angels without number,
Watch you as you sweetly slumber.
Dream, dream, dream,
Of the joyous day to come.
~Austrian carol

51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
1 Corinthians 15: 51-52

It will be a joyous day of which we only dream in our current slumber.  We will be changed, awakened from our stillness and sleep– not a mere disguising cover of snow,  but forever cleansed and purified.

A Canticle for Advent: Born for a Reason

barnstormingblog2 Comments

photo by Julie Garrett

photo by Julie Garrett

There is silence around me in the peaceful winter night.
From the church down in the valley I can see the candlelight.
And I stopped for a moment in this winter paradise,
When I heard a choir singing through the darkness and the ice.
And the rays from the lights behind the window’s vaulted frames,
Have united the souls in hope that something great is waiting.
And I know that those who have left us here had the same thoughts as I.
We’re like flames in the darkness and stars up in the sky.

And I can see how they sparkle, and they fade before my eyes.
And the truth is coming closer like a wonder in disguise.
We are caught here a moment like an imprint of a hand,
On an old and frosted window or a footprint in the sand.
For a while I’m eternal, that’s the only thing I know,
I am here and we share our dreams about our destination.
It is cold out here, and the snow is white but I am warm deep inside,
I am warm ’cause I know that my faith will be my guide.

Now there is silence around me, I have heard those words again,
In a hymn of grace and glory, saying: nothing is in vain!
I can sing- and believe it, let the message reach the sky.
Oh silent night, let your promise never die!
And I long for the others, it is peaceful in the church.
He was born for a reason, and that’s why we’re here together.
Holy night, I feel like a child inside, and believe He was sent.
So I’m lighting a candle each Sunday in Advent.

~English translation of the Swedish carol Koppången

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tiZVCVT7Ko

“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say?
‘Father, save me from this hour’?
No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 2
8 Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voice came from heaven,
“I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
John 12:27-28

There are so many people on earth who have never known what it is like to be part of a body of believers who worship together
through thick and thin, good times and ugly times, through disagreements and joyful reconciliation,
even if we would rather be doing something else on a Sunday.

Sometimes we are troubled and want to be saved from the responsibility and accountability
of being part of Christ’s body, of showing up and following through with our part of God’s covenant with His people.
Yet that is why He came to us, when we were in our most dire need and turning away.
He showed up because He was sent, He followed through even when He had doubts,
He came for a reason and purpose
to glorify the Father,
to show us the Father in the Flesh,
His Flesh.

Thank you to Carla Arnell for sharing this lovely Swedish hymn.

A Canticle for Advent: Why We Love Him So

barnstormingblog1 Comment
photo by Julie Garrett
photo by Julie Garrett
photo by Julie Garrett
photo by Julie Garrett

Early on one Christmas morn
Jesus Christ the son was born
Singing carols, Christmas songs
Early on one Christmas morn

Early on one Christmas morn
Jesus Christ the son was born
Singing carols, Christmas songs
Jesus Christ the son was born

Three wise men saw the star at night
Star that lit the heavens so bright
Star that led them to where Christ was born
Early on one Christmas morn

Early on one Christmas morn
Jesus Christ the son was born
Singing carols, Christmas songs
Early on one Christmas morn

Early on one Christmas morn
Jesus Christ the son was born
Singing carols, Christmas songs
Jesus Christ the son was born

In that city of Bethlehem
Wise men brought Him jewels and gems
Born in a manger humble and low
That is why we love Him so

Early on one Christmas morn
Jesus Christ the son was born
Singing carols, Christmas songs
Jesus Christ the son was born

Mary was his mother calm
cradling him gently in her arms
all hail and praise to Him
peace on earth, goodwill to men

Early on one Christmas morn
Jesus Christ the son was born
singing carols, Christmas songs
Early on one Christmas morn

Early on one Christmas morn
Jesus Christ the son was born
singing carols, Christmas songs
Jesus Christ the son was born

Jesus Christ the son was born.
~traditional Gospel carol

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God.
I have not come on my own; God sent me.
John 8:42