Sunday, September 15, 2019

Reflection - Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning

Source (book): "Songs of Christimas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, Chapter 3, "Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning", Page 37.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012
 

How does the Word of God guide you to Jesus?
PHOTO: How does the Word of God guide you to Jesus?
“The word of God is living and active,” declared the writer to the Hebrews (Hebrews 4:12). So it was then; so it is now. Through the Bible God speaks, and therefore through the Bible every generation is confronted with the very word of God. While God was pleased to entrust his saving message to the prophets and the apostles, who communicated this message in specific, time-bound ways, the Bible remains as alive as ever to the needs of the human condition.

As we reverently seek to apply its teaching, under the leading of God’s Spirit and to the praise of God’s grace, we will enjoy a life of rich fellowship with our creator and redeemer. The Word of God through the Holy Spirit sanctify us (John 17:17). What we are reading (are used by the Holy Spirit) to provoke our conscience, calm our fears, and stir our minds, guiding us with ways we can walk more faithfully with God (Jesus).


When you find Him, what would you offer Him?
I would offer him my time and my heart. When He grow up and starts His ministry, we will need time to listen, and learn from Him about righteousness. We will need our heart to do all these, including to practice what we have heard and learned from Him.

I will not be able to do it right by myself, so I will also pray to Him (1 Thessalonians 5:17), for his guidance and help to accomplish the tasks. Our time and hearts for Him, are valuable to Him (1 Corinthians 15:58). “Richer by far is the heart's adoration; Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.” From the Songs of Christmas – “Brightest and best of the sons of the morning”.


What does the term "heart's adoration" (Stanza 4) mean for you?
"Heart's adoration" means sincere worship of Him in our hearts. To truly worship God, we must let go of our self-worship. We must be willing to humble ourselves before God, surrender every part of our lives to His control, and adore Him for who He is. To truly worship means we lose ourselves in the adoration of another. Our only thought is the majesty and glory of the One we adore.

When we adore the Lord, our daily activities become acts of worship. Only when our deepest adoration is reserved for our Saviour will all other loves take their proper place.
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Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our Infant Redeemer is laid.

Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining;
Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall.
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Savior of all.

Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion
Odors of Edom and offerings divine,
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest and gold from the mine?

Vainly we offer each ample oblation.
Vainly with gifts would His favor secure.
Richer by far is the heart's adoration;
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
(Source: Service Book and Hymnal [Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1958], #53)


This hymn was written in 1817 by Anglican bishop Reginald Heber (1783-1826).

PHOTO: This hymn was written in 1817 by Anglican bishop Reginald Heber (1783-1826). Heber wrote "Brightest and Best" for the Feast of Epiphany (6 January).
Picture posted by Rulon-Miller Books
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History of the Carol [1a]
This hymn was written in 1817 by Anglican bishop Reginald Heber (1783-1826). Heber was born in privileged circumstances and learned to read from a tender age. It has been said that by the time he was five years old, he had read the Bible so thoroughly that he could identify the chapter and verse of any passage from the Bible when someone quoted it to him. Heber was a lover of books.

Educated at Brasenose College of Oxford University, Heber received honours for his literary achievements. After his ordination in the Church of England, he served as vicar in his father's old parish of Hodnet, Shropshire, for 16 years. There, he was well-loved for his ministry. It was said that he was "kneeling often at sickbeds at the risk of his life; where there was strife, the peacemaker; where there was want, the free-giver" [1] During this 16-year period, he got married in 1809 and wrote all his hymns, including the famous missionary hymn, "From Greenland's Icy Mountains".

Heber was eventually appointed bishop of Calcutta in 1823. His episcopal responsibilities covered the whole of India, Ceylon, and Australia, an impossible task by any count. Heber poured himself into his new role, travelling continuously and overseeing intensive missionary work. He ordained Christian David, the first Indian pastor in the Anglican Church in India. Three years into his episcopate, he died suddenly while visiting Trichinopoly (today known as Tiruchirappalli or Trichi in Tamil Nadu state) in South India. He died at the young age of 42 (possibly of cerebral haemorrhage), while in his bath. He was buried at St. John's Church in Trichinopoly, where he had preached his last sermon and given a benediction in Tamil. It has been noted that he had confirmed (received into church membership) 42 people on the day before he died. A week earlier, he had preached to a congregation of 1,300 in Tanjore (today known as Thanjavur) at an Easter service.

Heber's hymns were collected and published in Hymns, Written and Adapted to the Weekly Church Service of the Year in 1827. One of his most famous hymns is the much-loved "Holy, Holy, Holy".

Heber wrote "Brightest and Best" for the Feast of Epiphany (6 January). The hymn has been set to more than 20 tunes, the most popular of which is "Morning Star", written in 1892 by James Proctor Harding (1850-1911), an English organist and composer.

In some hymnals, the first stanza is repeated as the fifth stanza.


Educated at Brasenose College of Oxford University, Heber received honours for his literary achievements.
PHOTO: Educated at Brasenose College of Oxford University, Heber received honours for his literary achievements.
Picture posted by Florida Center for Instructional Technology
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https://etc.usf.edu/clipart/56000/56016/56016_bishop_heber.htm


Biblical Insights from the Carol [1a]
This epiphany hymn brings us to scenes in Bethlehem related to the birth of Christ (Luke 2:6-20) and the visit of the magi (Matthew 2:1-12), with a sermon-like exhortation at the end.


This epiphany hymn, Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, brings us to scenes in Bethlehem related to the birth of Christ (Luke 2:6-20) and the visit of the magi (Matthew 2:1-12), with a sermon-like exhortation at the end.
PHOTO: This epiphany hymn, Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, brings us to scenes in Bethlehem related to the birth of Christ (Luke 2:6-20) and the visit of the magi (Matthew 2:1-12), with a sermon-like exhortation at the end.
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The first stanza addresses Christ and the Christmas Star. Jesus is referred to as the "Brightest and best of the sons of the morning". We read of the morning stars singing together in Job 38:7, Jesus rules over them all. The term "morning stars" may refer to angels (Satan, the fallen angel, is called a morning star in Isaiah 14:12). But the term "Morning Star" is used by Jesus to refer uniquely to himself. He is the "bright Morning Star" (Revelation 22:16). He rises to bring a new day to our world and lives. The prophet Malachi saw the promised Messiah as the "sun of righteousness [that] will rise with healing in its rays" (Malachi 4:2). The apostle Peter takes up the idea and applies it personally to each of us when he refers to a new day dawning "and the morning star rises in your hearts" (2 Peter 1:19).


Jesus is referred to as the 'Brightest and best of the sons of the morning'.
PHOTO: Jesus is referred to as the "Brightest and best of the sons of the morning". The term "morning stars" may refer to angels (Satan, the fallen angel, is called a morning star in Isaiah 14:12). But the term "Morning Star" is used by Jesus to refer uniquely to himself. He is the "bright Morning Star" (Revelation 22:16). He rises to bring a new day to our world and lives.
Picture posted by Sanjana@actressSanjanaS on 24 December 2017 at 11:37 AM
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As Light of the World, Jesus shines in the darkness of the world (John 1:5) in fulfilment of biblical prophecy: "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned" (Isaiah 9:2). The coming of Christ brings relief, sight, and insight to us. We must recognise Him for who He is.


As Light of the World, Jesus shines in the darkness of the world (John 1:5) in fulfilment of biblical prophecy
PHOTO: As Light of the World, Jesus shines in the darkness of the world (John 1:5) in fulfilment of biblical prophecy: "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned" (Isaiah 9:2). The coming of Christ brings relief, sight, and insight to us.
Picture posted by Christmas Nativity Wallpapers Crazy Frankenstein Desktop Background on 24 October 2016
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The "Star of the East" is also addressed in the first Stanza. The magi took the star as a guide and sought out the Saviour with focus and conviction. Likewise, we need to seek Jesus, for He is our "infant Redeemer", the one who is fully divine and fully human. We do not have a star in the sky today, but we have a better and more enduring guide - the Word of God, which is a lamp to our feet (Psalm 119:105).


The magi took the 'Star of the East' as a guide and sought out the Saviour with focus and conviction.
PHOTO: The magi took the "Star of the East" as a guide and sought out the Saviour with focus and conviction. We do not have a star in the sky today, but we have a better and more enduring guide - the Word of God, which is a lamp to our feet (Psalm 119:105).
Painting by Henry Coller - The Three Wise Men
Picture posted by National Catholic Register
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Stanza 2 continues the theme that Jesus is both human and divine. He lies humbly in a manger even as the angels worship Him. He is Creator, Saviour, and King. The writer of Hebrews tells us that it was through Him that God made the universe, that He has provided "purification for sins" and "sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven" (Hebrews 1:1-3). He is indeed Maker, Saviour, and Monarch.


Jesus is both human and divine.
PHOTO: Jesus is both human and divine. He lies humbly in a manger even as the angels worship Him. He is Creator, Saviour, and King.  It was through Him that God made the universe, that He has provided "purification for sins" and "sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven" (Hebrews 1:1-3). He is indeed Maker, Saviour, and Monarch.
Picture posted by Fabriory.com - Angels and the baby (1839)
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Stanza 3 makes some reference to the gifts that the magi offered to the Christ child (Matthew 2:11). It helps us to think of our own gifts to Jesus. What could we give that can be termed "costly devotion"? Jesus deserves our best, but do we give Him our best?


The gifts that the magi offered to the Christ child (Matthew 2:11).
PHOTO: The gifts that the magi offered to the Christ child (Matthew 2:11). What could we give that can be termed "costly devotion"? Jesus deserves our best, but do we give Him our best?
Picture posted by pregariacat@pregariacat on January 2019 - Expensive gifts - Gold, frankincense, myrrh
Gold acknowledges that He is a king, even though He is born in a stable and lives a humble life.
Frankincense acknowledges that He is God – the rising of sweet-smelling smoke represents our prayers rising to God.
And Myrrh acknowledges that He has come to die – His sacrifice bringing order back to Creation after the disorder brought by the sin of our First Parents in the Garden of Eden. [4]
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Stanza 4 interrupts our thoughts. In case we think our offerings to Christ should be solely in terms of dollars and cents, the lyrics here remind us that we cannot impress Him with the size or weight of our material gifts. When Jesus placed himself near the offering boxes in the temple and observed how the people gave to God, He saw the meagre offering of an extremely poor widow and expressed His judgment. He said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on" (Mark 12:43-44). On the invisible weighing scale in His hand, the tiny coins of the widow outweighed all the rich, but convenient, gifts of the wealthy.
 

We cannot impress Him with the size or weight of our material gifts.
PHOTO: We cannot impress Him with the size or weight of our material gifts. Jesus saw the meagre offering of an extremely poor widow and expressed His judgment. He said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on" (Mark 12:43-44).
Picture posted by Ivoox on 11 August 2018
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What Paul wrote to the Corinthians - "I don't want what you have - I want you" (2 Corinthians 12:14 NLT) - is something that God also says to us. What He is looking for is not just the gifts of our hands, but what we offer in our hearts. God values sincere worship ("adoration") of Him in our hearts. He longs to see His children love Him wholeheartedly. In His scheme of things, the "prayers of the poor" are of greater value than the easy gifts of the rich whose hearts remain unmoved and unclaimed for God.

What then shall we give to Him as we see Him in a manger, on a cross, and in the heavenly places as the risen and reigning Lord?


God values sincere worship ('adoration') of Him in our hearts.
God values sincere worship ('adoration') of Him in our hearts.
PHOTO: God values sincere worship ("adoration") of Him in our hearts. What He is looking for is not just the gifts of our hands, but what we offer in our hearts.
Picture posted by Fr. Barnabas Powell on 27 August 2015
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How does the Word of God guide you to Jesus? When you find Him, what would you offer Him? What does the term "heart's adoration" (Stanza 4) mean for you?

How does the Word of God guide you to Jesus?
“The word of God is living and active,” declared the writer to the Hebrews (Hebrews 4:12). So it was then; so it is now. Through the Bible God speaks, and therefore through the Bible every generation is confronted with the very word of God. While God was pleased to entrust his saving message to the prophets and the apostles, who communicated this message in specific, time-bound ways, the Bible remains as alive as ever to the needs of the human condition.


How does the Word of God guide you to Jesus?
How does the Word of God guide you to Jesus?
PHOTO: How does the Word of God guide you to Jesus?
“The word of God is living and active”. Through the Bible God speaks, and therefore through the Bible every generation is confronted with the very word of God. What we are reading (are used by the Holy Spirit) to provoke our conscience, calm our fears, and stir our minds, guiding us with ways we can walk more faithfully with God (Jesus).
Picture posted by Siro Honorio, Agape Seminary of Theological Education on 25 April 2017
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As we reverently seek to apply its teaching, under the leading of God’s Spirit and to the praise of God’s grace, we will enjoy a life of rich fellowship with our creator and redeemer. The Word of God through the Holy Spirit sanctify us (John 17:17). What we are reading (are used by the Holy Spirit) to provoke our conscience, calm our fears, and stir our minds, guiding us with ways we can walk more faithfully with God (Jesus). [2]
 

The Word of God through the Holy Spirit sanctify us (John 17:17).
PHOTO: The Word of God through the Holy Spirit sanctify us (John 17:17). As we reverently seek to apply its teaching, we will enjoy a life of rich fellowship with our creator and redeemer.
Picture posted by Edward D. Andrews, Christian Publishing House on 05 October 2016
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https://christianpublishinghouse.co/2016/10/05/how-are-we-to-understand-the-indwelling-of-the-holy-spirit/


When you find Him, what would you offer Him?
I would offer him my time and my heart. When He grow up and starts His ministry, we will need time to listen, and learn from Him about righteousness. We will need our heart to do all these, including to practice what we have heard and learned from Him.


When you find Him, what would you offer Him?
When you find Him, what would you offer Him?


PHOTO: When you find Him, what would you offer Him?
I would offer him my time and my heart. We will need time to listen, and learn from Him about righteousness. We will need our heart to do all these, including to practice what we have heard and learned from Him.
Picture posted by fatimat alruwdan@fa2a2 on 13 August 2018 at 4:19 PM
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https://twitter.com/fa2a2/status/1029145506772135937


I will not be able to do it right by myself, so I will also pray to Him (1 Thessalonians 5:17), for his guidance and help to accomplish the tasks. Our time and hearts for Him, are valuable to Him (1 Corinthians 15:58). “Richer by far is the heart's adoration; Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.” From the Songs of Christmas – “Brightest and best of the sons of the morning”.


I will not be able to do it right by myself, so I will also pray to Him (1 Thessalonians 5:17), for his guidance and help to accomplish the tasks.

PHOTO: I will not be able to do it right by myself, so I will also pray to Him (1 Thessalonians 5:17), for his guidance and help to accomplish the tasks. Our time and hearts for Him, are valuable to Him (1 Corinthians 15:58). “Richer by far is the heart's adoration; Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.” From the Songs of Christmas – “Brightest and best of the sons of the morning”.
Picture posted by Cody Mayer Grand Canyon University on 22 October 2018
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https://www.theodysseyonline.com/prayer-the-ultimate-tool


What does the term "heart's adoration" (Stanza 4) mean for you?
"Heart's adoration" means sincere worship of Him in our hearts. To truly worship God, we must let go of our self-worship. We must be willing to humble ourselves before God, surrender every part of our lives to His control, and adore Him for who He is. To truly worship means we lose ourselves in the adoration of another. Our only thought is the majesty and glory of the One we adore. [3]


What does the term 'heart's adoration' (Stanza 4) mean for you?
What does the term 'heart's adoration' (Stanza 4) mean for you?


PHOTO: What does the term "heart's adoration" (Stanza 4) mean for you?
"Heart's adoration" means sincere worship of Him in our hearts. To truly worship God, we must let go of our self-worship. We must be willing to humble ourselves before God, surrender every part of our lives to His control, and adore Him for who He is.
Picture posted by genivaldosouza on 31 July 2015
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When we adore the Lord, our daily activities become acts of worship. Only when our deepest adoration is reserved for our Saviour will all other loves take their proper place. [3]


Dear Lord, we learn that your Word guide us to Jesus by being living and active.
Dear Lord, we learn that your Word guide us to Jesus by being living and active.


PHOTO: “Dear Lord, we learn that your Word guide us to Jesus by being living and active. It was then, and so it is now. Through the Bible you speak and every generation is confronted with your Word. Your Word are used by the Holy Spirit to provoke our conscience, calm our fears, and stir our minds, guiding us with ways we can walk more faithfully with Jesus.

We would like to offer you our time and heart to listen and learn about righteousness. We also need our heart to do all these, including to practice what we have heard and learned from you. We pray for your guidance and help to accomplish these tasks. We offer our time and hearts for you because we learn that you value them.

We pray for your help to worship you sincerely in our heart because ‘richer by far is the heart's adoration’, and ‘dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.’ We pray that our deepest adoration is reserved for you, so that all other loves will take their proper place. Please help us to willing humble ourselves before you, surrender every part of our lives to your control, and adore you for who you are.
Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!”
Picture posted by James Taiwo
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https://jamestaiwo.com/blog/holy-spirit-will-scrape-you-maximum-benefits/
 
Reflection - Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning
Question from source (book): "Songs of Christimas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, Chapter 3, "Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning", Page 37.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012





Also from the same author, Robert M. Solomon

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html



Reference
[1a] From "Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, Copyright © 2017 by Robert M. Solomon, ISBN 978-981-11-6752-2, Chapter 3, "Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning", Page 31-37.

[1] John Bjorlie, Uplook (Michlgan: Uplook Ministries, 1995).

[2] Conrad Mbewe, Zambia, How to Apply the Bible in Daily Life, https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/how-to-apply-the-bible-in-daily-life/

[3] Got Questions, What is adoration in the Bible?, https://www.gotquestions.org/adoration-in-the-Bible.html

[4]  Fr. David, HOMILY - THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD, posted on Sunday, 07 January 2018 at 10:56 AM, https://fatherdavidjenuwine.blogspot.com/2018/01/


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Psalm 119:105 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+119%3A105&version=NIV

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