Singing through the Hymnal: week 50!

   Here we go on our second week of Advent and singing through Christmas!

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence - this might be very unfamiliar to you, but it is worth learning or listening to. The arrangement I linked to is my favorite.
Verse: Habakkuk 2:20

Text: Liturgy of St. James, 5th c. Adapt. Gerard Moultrie

• the words of this carol are a translation from a Greek Christmas Eve service used as early as the 4th-5th century (wow!!!)
• Some scholars belief, however, that this carol dates back to 60 A.D. (when Paul was writing Romans). How amazing is it to think that the first century Christians sang this or a similar text!
• Believed to be the oldest liturgy developed for the church that is still sung today. 
• Moultrie translated this into English in 1864

Tune: Traditional French Melody, 17th c.

• PICARDY is a tune based on a French carol
• Ralph Vaughan Williams arranged it for this text in 1906
• Chant-like style

To Ponder: 

• Talk to you children about what it means to be in "awe."This is something we don't take time to think about or explain. We so often come to God casually, instead of with reverence. Let us thank God that we can approach the throne boldly, but let us not forget to approach the throne with great respect and care, humility and awe. 
• Talk to your children about being silent. Maybe it would be appropriate to begin teaching your children to be still and think about God and all His glorious attributes each day. 

Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming

Verse: Isaiah 35:1-2

Text: German hymn, ca. 1500

• was translated into English by three different people at three different times
• The translation in the hymnal I am using was by Theodore Baker 1894
• The poem uses imagery from Isaiah
• To say He is the stem of Jesse means He descends from the line of Jesse, who was King David's father. 
• "Men of Old" are the prophets, particularly Isaiah
• "Cold of Winter" may refer to the Roman occupation and the 400 years of silence of the prophets. 
• Like a sermon, the first two stanzas tell a story with wonderful metaphors. 

Tune: German Melody, 16th c. 

• ES IST EIN' ROS' ENTSPRUNGEN  
• Michael Praetorius (a prolific German organist, composer, and musicologist) arranged the tune for congregation in 1602. 
• The rhythm is not a strict meter

To Ponder: 

• meditate on the beautiful and poetic ways that the birth of Jesus is portrayed. What are your favorite images?

Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendor
Verse: II Corinthians 8:9
Text: Frank Houghton (1894-1972)

• Frank was an Anglican missionary, bishop, and author
• He went to China and became general director of the mission (China Inland Mission) in 1940
• After John and Betty Stam had been killed by the Red Army, Houghton decided to make a trip throughout the country to visit the mission outposts (even though it was risky) While he was making the trip, he was reminded of 2 Corinthians 8:9 - and out of that verse came this incredibly beautiful and breath taking poem.

Tune: French Carol Melody, 17th c.

• QUELLE EST CETTE ODEUR AGREABLE (Whence is that goodly fragrance flowing?)
• Tune made popular in John Gay's The Beggar's Opera 
• When the tune made it's way to England, it was matched with Houghton's poem.

To Ponder:

• "beyond" is the 5th word in all three stanzas. Note what that word points to each time.
• This text is so rich. Take time to go through and really think about what the words mean and what Jesus leaving all the riches and wonders of Heaven cost. What love the Father has for us!
• It is because John and Betty Stam knew this Christ and His love that they could give their all on the mission field.