Little Donkey 3rd Saturday in Advent Read: Luke 2:4-7
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9 (NIV) What do you call a donkey with one leg and a bad eye? A winkey wonkey donkey. Why didn’t the donkey cross the road? He saw what happened to the zebra. Where in the Bible does it say that Mary and Joseph travelled on a donkey to Bethlehem? Nowhere! We can read in Luke that they travelled to Bethlehem from Nazareth, a journey of 145 km. They could have walked or ridden a camel.
So how do we come up in most Christmas Nativity plays that Mary rides on a donkey to Bethlehem? It was a long journey and Mary was heavily pregnant and donkeys were quite prevalent, I think we like to think that Mary didn’t have to walk the whole way. Maybe there is also the association of thirty-three years later Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem as King on Palm Sunday (Zechariah 9:9). The Christmas Carol ‘Little Donkey’ was a one-hit-wonder by a British songwriter Eric Boswell in 1959. He wrote many other pieces of music about his home area in Britain, but none made it as big as this simple tune. It is a popular one to perform with children’s musicals and nativity plays. When Eric Boswell was wanting to write a simple song for Christmas, he decided to focus on the treasure that the donkey was carrying to Bethlehem. Christmas can be a time of worries – family, presents, celebrations, food, and the list continues.
Mary and Joseph had worries of their own in trying to get to Bethlehem before census day and before their baby was born… I rather feel they had more issues than us! Were their cares and worries gone with the birth of the baby? Maybe they didn’t focus on them immediately, but having Herod out to kill them might have later become real. As the song says this donkey carried Mary safely… our loving Saviour also carries us with our issues and burdens. Celebrate and enjoy a Christmas filled with joy at the birth of the little Jesus.
Sing or listen to: Little Donkey PRAYER Little donkey, little donkey had a heavy day. Little donkey carry Mary safely on her way. Little donkey, little donkey on the dusty road. There are wisemen waiting for a sign to bring them here. Do not falter, little donkey there’s a star ahead. It will guide you, little donkey to a cattle shed. Amen. 2
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly 3rd Friday in Advent Read: Luke 2:7, 12, 16
“I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Isaiah 1:2b-3 (NIV) There are many things about a child’s birth that we remember, and some that we choose to forget. I am an avid believer in the blessing that God gave to mothers in a short-term memory loss when it comes to childbirth, otherwise I truly believe every couple would only have one child. I do remember the baby shower given to me for my f irst child. Surrounded by family and friends, celebrating with me the upcoming birth of a new little child. Gifts were given, games were played, and amazing blue and pink food enjoyed.
Overall, the event concentrated on and celebrated the new life coming. The Christmas carol for today – ‘Infant Holy, Infant Lowly’ concentrates on the wonder of this new baby, born in a stable, placed in a manger, and celebrated by the animals and low in society (shepherds). This beautiful carol talks of what happened in the stable in the most beautiful way. This was originally a Polish carol thought to be written by Piotr Poweski (1532-1612). He was a tutor, Catholic priest and missionary who wrote this carol ‘W żłobie leży’ (in Polish) just a few months before his death.
Edith Margaret Gellibrand Reed was able to translate it in 1920 to the carol we have today. It originally had a Polish tune, but Joseph Herl in the early 2000s wrote the music that we know today. The word manger is mentioned 3 times in Luke – it was obviously an important detail. But it was also foretold by Isaiah 700 years earlier in the above Bible verse. It was in this humble setting that Mary wrapped Jesus in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a wooden or stone manger – which was an animal’s feeding trough - not a normal child’s crib, and certainly not an appropriate one for the Messiah.
In the Isaiah text we can look deeper and see that the ox and donkey knew their ‘owner’s manger’, but the people of Israel remained clueless to God’s child coming in Bethlehem. Will you recognise the Saviour born this Christmas for you?
Sing or listen to: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly PRAYER V1: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, For his bed a cradle stall; Oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the child is Lord of all. Swiftly winging, Angels singing, Bells are ringing, Tidings bringing: Christ the child is Lord of all! Christ the child is Lord of all! Amen
Joy to the World 3rd Thursday in Advent Read: Psalm 98 “The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.” Psalm 98:2 (NIV) Sometimes we assume that because a song is classed as a Christmas Carol that it was written especially for Christmas. That is not the case for this Christmas Carol – ‘Joy to the World’. I don’t think that a Christmas has gone by for me without having sung this carol at least once (more than likely many more times). “Since the 20th century, ‘Joy to the World’ has been the most-published Christmas hymn in North America.
As of December 2009, it was published in 1387 hymnals in North America.” [Wikipedia] But it wasn’t written as a Christmas hymn. In 1719, Englishman Isaac Watts wrote it as a Christian interpretation of Psalm 98 and Genesis 3:17-19. It was not written to depict the birth of Jesus but rather concentrated on the second coming. The tune used usually with this carol is from an 1848 edition by Lowell Mason’s ‘Antioch’, but it has also been attributed to George Handel. This hymn was first played during the Christmas season – maybe that it why it is classed a Christmas carol. God brought the first ‘Joy to the World’ when He sent His Son as a baby in Bethlehem, but our second ‘Joy to the World’ happens when our Lord and Saviour comes for the second and final time to redeem all people.
This makes this hymn a great Advent hymn as it reminds us to keep our eyes on the imminent return of Jesus, both at Christmas and throughout the year. Read the words to the hymn with new eyes. The church needs to sing for joy to God for Jesus is coming! We are to be prepared. We are to look forward to a world without sin and curse any longer. We are to be filled with His truth and grace by which He rules. We are to be awed with the wonder of His love. Our Lord has come, and He is coming again!
Sing or listen to: Joy to the World PRAYER V1: Joy to the World; the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King! Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing. V4: He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove. The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love. Amen. 2
Still, Still, Still 3rd Wednesday in Advent Read
Psalm 19:7-10 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 (NIV) Beautiful music often reflects the beauty and majesty of God. It touches our minds, hearts, and souls and gives us a glimpse of the divine. Music is a mystery of creation that reveals part of God’s infinite creativity and love for us. For three years I played f lute in the Noosa Orchestra. It was a joy and a thrill for me to be a part of the orchestra. I was just one little flute, but when combined with all the violins, violas, cellos, oboe, trumpet, French horn and timpani, the result is just overwhelmingly beautiful. Each small instrument plays a big part in the beauty of the resulting music.
Pope Benedict XVI once observed that when words are not enough, beautiful music can express the joy and mystery of God’s love. “It is hard to find words to convey the sheer joy of the soul’s loving encounter with God; indeed, the great mystics could only remain silent before the mystery,” he said. When researching into different Christmas carols, I came across the beautiful hymn - “Still, Still, Still”. I don’t remember singing it in church very much over Christmas, but I do remember hearing it sung by choirs and orchestras. The melody of the hymn is a folk melody from Salzburg Austria first appearing in a folksong collection by Vinzenz Maria Süß in 1865, who was the founder of the Salzburg Museum. This hymn/carol lends itself in its simplicity to a large and full sound.
I found a recording of it sung and played by an Austrian choir and orchestra. In the angelic rendition sung by this Austrian choir, I could imagine the shepherds and animals and those coming to the manger in quietness to marvel at the Son of God. The words describe the peace of the baby Jesus and his mother as the baby is sung to sleep. Find a recording (maybe the one I heard) and just sit and listen and thank God that He sent His Son to earth for each one of us. We all play a part in God’s story. Sing or listen to: Still, Still, Still
PRAYER V1: Still, still, still, He sleeps this night so chill! The Virgin’s tender arms enfolding, Warm and safe the Child are holding, Still, still, still, he sleeps this night so chill. Amen. 2
Once in Royal David’s City 3rd Tuesday in Advent
Read: Psalm 2:6-12 “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Mark 10:14 (NIV) Being a primary school teacher, I know that when teaching a child, you need to talk to them in words and terms they can understand, and in concepts not too advanced without being condescending. ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ was written by Cecil Frances Alexander (1848) who wrote hymns for children as she thought it was the best way to teach the fundamentals of the Christian faith.
The hymn tells the story of Jesus’ birth in storybook form and often refers to children who are to live their lives faithfully to please Jesus. This is a favourite amongst church families as it expresses this wonderful story in simple terms that children can understand. She also wrote the hymn: “All things bright and beautiful.” The Jesus described in the Christmas carol, is relatable – he was little, weak, dear and gentle, developing as all children do. This is a huge connection with the life of Jesus in knowing that He experienced life just as we do! The beginnings of His life were not one of pomp and splendour, born to a wealthy aristocrat, but lowly, humble and laid “in a manger for His bed.” God sent His Son into a world in need.
The world would not recognise Him immediately, though the wise men obviously had been informed somehow, but the happenings around His birth were obvious from the angels that this was a special baby. The simple hymn of Cecil Frances Alexander reminds us that God came into the world as our Saviour, in a humble, meek and mild way. God became one of us and turned the world upside down when sending the Son of God to the world as King. He is present, He is near, and He is constantly concerned about all His children. Sometimes maybe we need the simplicity of a simple hymn to fully understand the truths behind His love. Not complex in theology, but pure and simple: it was in His love for you and me that God sent His Son to earth!
Sing or listen to: Once in Royal David’s City PRAYER V3: And our eyes at last shall see Him, Through His own redeeming love, For that child so dear and gentle. Is our Lord in heaven above: And He leads His children on. To the place where He is gone. Amen. 2
Mary’s Boy Child 3rd Monday in Advent Read: Luke 1:26-38
“Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 (NIV) Do you ever get the feeling that Christmas has been hijacked? That the story of Jesus’ birth is told so that others can make money from the celebration of Christmas? I have always liked this Christmas Carol, it is boppy and modern. I even like the reggae version by Boney M. For this devotion I have done some digging as to its history and the meaning behind the words. Jester Hairston in 1956 wrote the tune with the calypso rhythm of ‘Mary’s Boy Child’ with different lyrics as a birthday song, for a mostly West Indian party. It was originally titled ‘He Pone and Chocolate Tea’, pone being a type of corn bread. (This was never recorded).
Sometime later, he was asked to write a new Christmas Song and remembered this calypso rhythm, so wrote new lyrics for it. Since then, this song has been sung and performed by Harry Belefonte, Boney M., Andy Williams, Mahalia Jackson, Anne Murray, The Little River Band, Tom Jones, John Denver, Harry Connick Jr, The Bee Gees, Hi-5, The Wiggles and probably about twenty others. What is it about this Christmas carol that has captured the talents of all of the above and more? I would like to think it is the lyrics about the birth of Jesus, but the tune is adapted and changed to suit each of the above people’s styles, and each have made it their own. I watched some of the Boney M. music video, and was somewhat disappointed to see spaceships, strange settings and people playing in the snow.
There were a couple scenes of children pretending to be Mary, Joseph and the other nativity characters, but these were overshadowed by the other quirky scenes. Christmas is not about the carols and the trimmings to make it feel Christmassy; it is taking time to live and remember that Jesus came to be born on earth as a gift to humankind. Through this gift God made a covenant and promise to be with us always and bring us peace.
Sing or listen to: Mary’s Boy Child PRAYER V1: Long time ago in Bethlehem so the Holy Bible say Mary’s Boy Child, Jesus Christ was born on Christmas Day. CHORUS: Hark, now hear the angels sing “New King’s born today. And man will live forevermore Because of Christmas Day.” Amen.
O Little Town of Bethlehem 3rd Sunday in Advent
Read: John 1:9-10 “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” Micah 5:2 (ESV) The Civil War had just ended. It was 1865 and a young American preacher travelled to the Holy Land, and his time in Bethlehem would not just leave a memorable impact on him, but on all of Christendom. Phillips Brooks wrote a poem three years later, 1868, for his class of Sunday School children at The Church of the Holy Trinity in Philadelphia. This was turned into the beautiful hymn and carol, ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ by his church organist, Louis Redner who wrote the tune simply titled ‘St. Louis’. It was performed that year for the first time on Christmas Eve. In 1903, in England, another tune was set to the words; ‘Forest Green’, which is the one in our Australian Lutheran Hymnal 633.
Reading through the words of this beautiful hymn, it is easy to see what struck Brooks as he visited Bethlehem those many years ago. He must have been walking around at night looking at the sky and the stars and noting the quietness of this town. Jesus was born at night (the Bible references stars and the shepherds resting for the night). Think about it: as everyone lay sleeping, they were totally unaware that the Saviour of the World was coming to live on earth. This momentous event was happening right there among the quietness of the night.
Jesus didn’t come with trumpets and fanfares but quietly entered our world even amongst all the fulfillment of the prophecies. Like the people of Bethlehem 2,000 years ago, we can also sleep through the miracle of Jesus’ birth and never really know Him. Amongst all the clamour and noise of our society, attention can easily be pulled away from that still, small voice of a baby that asks us to come into a relationship with our eternal Father. In Jesus, our hopes and fears are stilled by the unconditional love and forgiveness of a loving Saviour. Share this love and open your homes and families to the free gift of life and salvation this Christmas.
As Phillips Brooks wrote, the everlasting light is shining in the dark streets.
Don't sleep through it! Sing or listen to: O Little Town of Bethlehem
PRAYER V1: O 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. Amen.
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Read: John 1:1-4, 14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (NIV) I love to travel. Later this year, my husband and I are going on a journey to Europe to see our son in Switzerland. Many people love to travel and journey to places of significance to them. Part of our travel to Europe is to see the places of our ancestors in Silesia, Poland; Harz Mountains, Germany; NykØbing, Denmark.
We want to visit the places that formed our ancestor’s faith. In a sense it is a type of pilgrimage. During the Advent season we are invited through the hymns and carols we sing to take us back to the first Christmas where Jesus was born. In ancient Jewish faith, the Jews made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem at the Passover wherever possible. As 21st century Christians we take a pilgrimage each Advent to reflect on the miracle of God becoming man as a baby. We listen to the angels, marvel with the shepherds, follow the star to the manger where our Saviour was born to be the King of the World.
Every Christmas we relive and celebrate the moment when God sent His Son to earth as a baby to grow as a human and die for our sins. The hymn talks about the faithful. Take a moment to reflect – are you one of the faithful? Do we really trust Jesus and follow Him each day? Are we faithful to Him in every aspect of our lives? Even so, God still asks us to “Come”! The hymn invites us to come and see and behold this Son of God and to sing with the angels and rejoice that He is born our Saviour. The author of this hymn is not known; however John Francis Wade is credited to it. He spent his time as a copyist for musical manuscripts found in libraries. He also used to then sign his name as his calligraphy was so beautiful.
In 1751, this hymn was published as ‘Adeste Fideles’. Even though it was written in 1751, three hundred years later we still join together with all the faithful to sing this loved carol every Christmas. Sing or listen to: O Come, All Ye Faithful PRAYER V1: O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold Him, born the king of angels: O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord! Amen. 1
Angels We Have Heard on High
2nd Friday in Advent Read: Hebrews 1:1-6 “…when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’” Hebrews 1:6 (NIV) Let me set the scene: Sheep are scattered but settling down for the night, the shepherds have lit a fire, having some dinner and swapping tales of the day as they watch over the sheep and guard them from wild animals. Then, in a divine moment, God burst into the night sky with shining angels singing ‘Glory to God’ and speaking of the Saviour’s birth. In that solitary moment, the shepherd’s lives were transformed – becoming part of a story that has been retold for thousands of years. No wonder there are so many carols and hymns about the angels and the shepherds.
This carol: ‘Angels We Have Heard on High’ reminds us of this amazing night. The refrain “Gloria in Excelsis Deo”, literally means ‘Glory to God in the Highest’ and this helps us get a taste of what the angelic chorus sounded like as it sung the Good News – Christ is born! The angels sharing the birth of Jesus to these simple shepherds changed their lives forever. God loves to still speak through ordinary people (you and me) to transform others’ lives into something extraordinary through His grace and love. The earliest known printed version of ‘Angels We Have Heard On High’ was in an 1842 French song book.
Though the source of the song is unknown, it is believed to have originated in 18th century France. The song was first translated into English in 1860 by James Chadwick, a Roman Catholic bishop. As we also sing of the angel’s great announcement this Christmas, don’t forget to also announce to others around you: friends, family, neighbours and work colleagues that yours and my Saviour is born at Christmas to bring life and love into lives filled with emptiness. Jesus lives in our hearts, in our words and our actions announcing the Good News to others through us. There are so many ways to help and show love to people around us – be an angel to the ‘shepherds’ of today! Transform a life for Jesus! Sing or listen to: Angels We Have Heard on High
PRAYER V3: Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Gloria in excelsis Deo! Amen.