Except for the congregation of the mid-western church where my family and I belonged, few others knew I wrote music. Several years ago, my kids, now grown up, encouraged me to write a blog such as this, to accompany the music, thereby, fulfilling my promised commission to continually raise, and praise the Lord. I hesitated to present the music itself because it wasn't as splendidly produced as I prayed it would be. At the most, we had did our best, with 4-5 volunteer singers and me, choir director/musician...giving it the best of our love. Today's selection is a Christmas carol called, Sing A New Song, It's Christmas Time.
The birth of the baby Jesus is told in Matthew 1:18 and into the second chapter of Matthew. It is also found in chapter 1 in Luke, starting with the 26 verse. Prophets in the Old Testament foretold of his birth, e.g. Micah 5:1-2, Isaiah 9:6. Each writer, in telling the story, brings more understanding to the socio-political, and religious environment surrounding His birth.
A young virgin named Mary, chose by the Holy Ghost, to be the mother of Jesus, was already espoused to Joseph, espoused meaning legally engaged, not married. When Joseph found Mary was with child, being a just man, he did not want to punish or shame her. Obedient to an angel in his dream, he married Mary, but did not consummate their vows until Jesus was born (Matthew 1:18-25). At that time Mary is said to be between 12 and 14 years old; Joseph was 90 years old.
Matthew 2 speaks of a supernatural sight of a star in the east, pointing to the place where the King of the Jews is born. Wise men from the east followed the star. King Herod had already called for a census (that all the world should be taxed). Joseph and Mary had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem (About 90 miles), because they had to go back to the land of his ancestors to be counted. Matthew tells how the wise men (3? not specified in the Bible) found Jesus. They worshipped Him and they left very expensive gifts for Him (gold, myrrh, and frankincense). Being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, as he had asked them to do. Then wise men went home another way since Herod, acting like he wanted to praise the baby, really wanted to kill the baby.
Luke 2 talks about the Holy Family arrival in Bethlehem. The inn was full. Mary was at term. Baby Jesus was born, and wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. An angel told the shepherds, who were watching their sheep nearby, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.." Then a multitude of heavenly host were with the angel, praising God (Luke 2:11-14).
Things to ponder and tidbits to go,
1) Time was split in half at His birth- BC/AD.
2) Two very funny comedians used to have a joke everybody loved. It was about baseball It concerned who was on first and who was on second. It behooves us, as Christians, to answer that question. For help, read Matthew 6:33.
3) The Christmas story is very powerful and should be told, not only as tradition but over and over to our children, til no other story outshines it.
This story is true, to the best of my remembering. The teacher has separated us into groups, with the aim of decorating of classroom for Christmas. We were all happily engaged, when suddenly a painful cry was heard. Startled, we all looked up! The teacher yelled, "What happened?". Lori ran passed the teacher, and out of the classroom crying. The teacher ran after her but could not catch her. The principal was notified and called her home. In those days we had neighborhood schools, easily within 5 minutes of home. For lunchtime we went home to eat and returned back to school for afternoon class.
In no time Lori and a very upset mother returned to our class. Lori was red eyed from crying. Her mother was just red-eyed. After giving our class and our teacher a thorough tongue lashing about being so big mouthed, she and Lori left. Phew! The classroom was very quiet. Our teacher looked over at Lori's group, yes, the usual suspects were there, James, William and Ralph, trying not to laugh, stood waiting for Teach to scold but she didn't. She quietly addressed the three of them, "What did you do?". James burst out laughing, "We told her there was no Santa Claus!". The whole class giggled. Trying not to verbalize, "Wha!!". The teacher just told us to continue working on our projects. She never mentioned this to us again, and perhaps not even to Lori when she returned to school the next day. We were in the 8th grade, soon to be Freshmen in High School! (Of course, all names have been changed to protect the innocent).
The beauty of the Christmas season should be enjoyed with lights, colors, gift giving, well-wishing, decorations and beautiful Christmas trees, for sure! Joy to the world.
My dear readers be ever blessed and protected by Jesus Our Lord. If there be tears of sadness in your home right now, may they soon become tears of joy. May the love of the Jesus Child, I pray, fill your life with gladness in every way. And may you sing, yes, sing, a beautiful new song today.
*If using a cell phone, to listen to the music, go to web version.
