The Night Before Christmas

     Here we are, finally, three days after I should have written this post. I apologise for the delay, faithful readers. I might have been able to make an excuse for Christmas Eve, as I was extremely busy, however, no reasonable excuse can be concocted for the following days. I was merely lazy. All that aside, here we are at last. This would have been much more fitting being read on the day I intended to post it, but, after some contemplation, I decided to post it today, all the same. 

      I have probably shared this song before. It has become one of my favourites. I first heard it in Scotland, and then came home and heard the same tune with different words. This one, in my mind, however, fits the best. The song is originally German, no surprise there, written by Paul Gerhardt in the 1600s, and translated to English by none other than the esteemed Catherine Winkworth. There were two different men who wrote tunes to this hymn but the one I have in mind was composed by Johann Georg Ebeling who, in fact, wrote music for over 100 of Gerhardt's hymns. I just learned today that Gerhardt had written his hymns for private meditation rather than congregational use, of which this was one. I can see it in the lyrics, especially since many of the lines are in direct first person. How times have changed. This hymn is significantly more suitable for congregational worship than many of the songs written today for such a purpose. 

       I shall save that rant for another day. Whether you celebrate the twelve days of Christmas or not, I would encourage you, for the rest of this year, and, perhaps into January to keep singing the songs of Christmas, to familiarize yourself with magnificent old hymns such as this one. And then, perhaps don't put them away entirely for next year, sing them every now and again to remind yourself of that gift which was most precious and dear. The night when God became flesh and dwelt among us. There will never be a miracle as grand as this again, nor was there before this. It deserves more of our attention and gratitude throughout the whole year. 

        Let your heart rejoice this night for Christ is born. Let the air ring with joy, everywhere. In the words of the Sussex Carol, "Why should man on earth be so sad, since our redeemer made us glad?" 

        The answer is that we too easily forget the joyful blush of Christmastide in the distractions and foibles of this world. Too easily we allow ourselves to loose sight of what is truly important and crucial to our happiness and become flustered by things that do not matter.

        Too soon, I shall be given many opportunities to keep my own words, as I prepare for a wedding. I have assured friends, family, and myself, that I will not allow myself to get stressed by the planning of this, and yet, how easily I might fail. Throughout these next few months, it is especially important for me to fill my heart and mind with songs of rejoicing and thanksgiving, for "I am freed, all I need, [Christ] will surely give me." 

        Keep Christ's birth alive in your minds and Christmas, going into this new year, friends. For we serve a living and reigning King. How I often long for the day when I shall be forever united with Him in heaven and forever free from this toil of mortal sin, but until then, let us remember the joy of Christmas.