Happy New Year! One of my annual disappointments is that the day after Christmas most radio stations stop playing Christmas music. One of the things I enjoy most about Christmas is hearing the music of the season, especially those carols that share the true meaning of the holiday. Because of this, I have decided to spend one more week with Christmas music. This week's carol was written by Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819 - 1881). Holland was forced to drop out of high school, but years later he became a medical doctor. He was also a poet, novelist, and magazine editor and he helped establish Scribner's Magazine. The poem first appeared in his book "The Marble Prophecy And Other Poems" in 1872. It then appeared in his "Sunday School Collection" in 1874 and again in his "Complete Poetical Writings" in 1879. The title for this carol originally was "A Star and A Song." The present tune, "Christmas Song,", was composed for these words by Karl P. Harrington, approximately twenty-five years later. The lyrics focus on the Nativity of Jesus and the recognition of Jesus as king. Each stanza concludes with a tribute to the kingship of the Christ child born in Bethlehem's manger. So as we leave the Christmas season for another year and move into 2012, meditate on these words as you again consider the great message of Christmas. And, as noted in verse three, may the message of this carol bring rejoicing to your home.
1. There's a song in the air! There's a star in the sky!
There's a mother's deep prayer and a baby's low cry!
And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!
2. There's a tumult of joy o'er the wonderful birth,
For the virgin's sweet Boy is the Lord of the earth.
Ay! the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!
3. In the light of that star lie the ages impearled;
And that song from afar has swept over the world.
Every hearth is aflame, and the beautiful sing
In the homes of the nations that Jesus is King!
4. We rejoice in the light, and we echo the song
That comes down through the night from the heavenly throng.
Ay! we shout to the lovely evangel they bring,
And we greet in His cradle our Savior and King!
Listen to it here. LISTEN
No comments:
Post a Comment