“If music be the food of love…” Part 4

Speak to one another in psalms, hymns,
and spiritual songs, singing
and making melody in your heart
to the Lord.
                                                Eph.5:19

 

 

 
 

Today is the shortest day, and brings the longest night.  Yet we all know dawn will come, and the sun (we hope in UK) will shine. 

 

This year has been thwarted with difficulties, national labour and fuel shortages, across the world Covid numbers rise and fall, fires, floods, famines, earthquakes grow in number and wars and rumours of wars are causing people to flee their nations.  Yet Matthew 24 reminds us that such things are only the “birth pangs” heralding His return.  

 

 It’s a time not to fear, but to know God is our refuge and strength, and all of creation is groaning for the sons/daughters of God to take their place.  King David encouraged himself in the Lord, often playing his harp, his lyrics now the psalms.   

 

I took a look at the lyrics of Christmas carols., A popular one ended, “When like stars his children crown, all in white shall wait around.  Dropped in modern versions, perhaps due to greater understanding of the Kingdom of God!  However, many reflect an aspect of Biblical truth, but few the simple truth of salvation from our inbred sin!  The following began as a poem written by Pastor Phillip Brooks, His organist Lewis Redner set it to music and was first sung in Philadelphia, Christmas.1868.

 

These two unknown men had no idea that from their faith and knowledge of the Lord’s love and provision, that millions of people across the world would be singing the words below. When we invest our talents in the Lord, He can multiply their effect beyond our wildest dreams.

“Oh 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
Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth.
And praises sing to God the king, and peace to men on earth.
How silently, how silently, The wondrous gift 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.
Where children, pure and happy, Pray to the Blessed Child;
Where misery cries out to thee, Son of the Mother mild;
Where charity stands watching, And faith holds wide the door,
The dark night wakes, the glory breaks, and Christmas comes once more.
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!”

Lord, may those words bring many to receive the love and redemption you offer them. 

 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE