Friday, November 1, 2019

Reflection - Good Christian Men, Rejoice

Source (book): "Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, Chapter 7, "Good Christian Men, Rejoice", Page 76.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012


Martin Luther, when reading Romans 1:17 about how we are made righteous by God's grace in Christ, testified that he had found the 'gate to paradise'.
Martin Luther, when reading Romans 1:17 about how we are made righteous by God's grace in Christ, testified that he had found the 'gate to paradise'.
PHOTO: Martin Luther, when reading Romans 1:17 about how we are made righteous by God's grace in Christ, testified that he had found the "gate to paradise". What does the gate to paradise also called the open door of heaven in this carol, mean for you in your daily devotional life?
Heaven's Open Door (Gate to Paradise)
"After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, 'Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.' At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it." (Revelation 4:1-2).

This picture surprises us because we know that an open door often extends an invitation to come in. This is an enticing opportunity because heaven is often considered a place of mysteries that we do not have access to. For the most part, it is God’s secret—at least from our day-to-day living in this life. But here Jesus opens heaven’s door. And in a voice like a trumpet, he welcomes us, saying, “Come up here.”

The invitation promises to reveal “what must take place after this.” But as John tells the story of walking through heaven’s open door, the future is not the first thing that catches his attention. Instead, he sees “a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.”

Heaven’s open door has us standing before the throne of all thrones, from which everything in heaven and on earth is loved and cared for.

Still today, the Holy Spirit opens heaven’s door wide so that we can visualize this scene and let its story encourage us to live by faith in Jesus today.
Digital artwork by Dolores Develde uploaded on 03 June 2016.- Knocking On Heavens Door
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https://fineartamerica.com/featured/knocking-on-heavens-door-dolores-develde.html
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/07/reflection-will-you-respond-to-gods_20.html


Good Christian Men, Rejoice with heart and soul, and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say: News! News!
Jesus Christ is born today!
Ox and ass before Him bow; and He is in the manger now.
Christ is born today! Christ is born today!

Good Christian Men, Rejoice with heart and soul, and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss: Joy! Joy!
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He has opened the heavenly door, and man in blest forevermore.
Jesus Christ was born for this! Jesus Christ was born for this!

Good Christian Men, Rejoice with heart and soul, and voice;
Now ye need not fear the grave: Peace! Peace!
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all, to gain His everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!

(Source: The United Methodist Hymnal [Nashville: The United Methodist Publishing House, 1989], #224)


This is a very old Christmas carol, believed to have been written by the German mystic Heinrich Seuse (Henry Suso) around 1328.
This is a very old Christmas carol, believed to have been written by the German mystic Heinrich Seuse (Henry Suso) around 1328.
PHOTO: This is a very old Christmas carol, believed to have been written by the German mystic Heinrich Seuse (Henry Suso) around 1328.
Picture posted by 58pic.com
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https://www.58pic.com/jieri/13173004.html


History of the Carol [1]
This is a very old Christmas carol, believed to have been written by the German mystic Heinrich Seuse (Henry Suso) around 1328. It has been said that Suso (1295-1366) wrote the words of the hymn in Latin and German (thus making it a macaronic hymn) after hearing angels singing them. He joined them in a sacred dance expressing the joy of the words. Ian Bradley's biography of Suso in The Penguin Book of Carols (1999) contains the latter's own account of the experience:


German mystic Heinrich Seuß (Henry (von) Suso)
PHOTO: German mystic Heinrich Seuß (Henry (von) Suso)
It has been said that Suso (1295-1366) wrote the words of the hymn in Latin and German (thus making it a macaronic hymn) after hearing angels singing them. He joined them in a sacred dance expressing the joy of the words.
Picture posted by discogs.com
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https://www.discogs.com/artist/3598026-Heinrich-Seuse


Now this same angel came up to the servant [Suso] brightly, and said that God had sent him down to him, to bring him heavenly joys amid his sufferings; adding that he must cast off all his sorrows from his mind and bear them company, and that he must also dance with them in heavenly fashion. Then they drew the Servant by the hand into the dance, and the youth began a joyous song about the infant Jesus . . .
 
Suso, a Dominican monk, was influenced by the German mystic Meister Eckhart and Johannes Tauler, and is said to have had a deeper conversion experience at the age of 18. After this experience, he became a mystic in search of a spiritual marriage to Jesus Christ through divine wisdom.

Because Suso defended Eckhart, who was condemned by the church as a heretic, he ran into some problems with the pope and the Holy Roman Emperor. But he was never removed from the church or his order, though he had enemies who wanted him out. He was an immensely popular author whose mystical writings gained many followers, including Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471), who wrote the hugely popular Imitation of Christ. Suso was beatified by Pope Gregory XVI in 1831, meaning he was declared a holy person after he passed on.

The Christmas carol that is attributed to him is also known by the first line in Latin - "In dulci jubilo" ("In Sweet Rejoicing"); the tune is a fourteenth-century German melody. The hymn was loosely translated into English by John Mason Neale in 1853 in his Carols for Christmastide, a version that is still sung today. Neale (1818-1886) was an Anglican clergyman who had high church leaning (the high church movement accepted many of the older ceremonies from before the Reformation and contributed to the rise of Anglo-Catholicism). A brilliant scholar, he also suffered from ill health, which prevented him from undertaking pastoral work. Instead he poured his energies into hymns. He is best known as a hymn writer and as a translator of ancient hymns in Latin, Greek, Syrian, and Russian. English speaking congregations were introduced to these hymns through their publication in hymnals produced by Neale, such as Hymns Ancient and Modern (1875) and The English Hymnal (1906).


The hymn was loosely translated into English by John Mason Neale in 1853 in his Carols for Christmastide, a version that is still sung today.
PHOTO: The hymn was loosely translated into English by John Mason Neale in 1853 in his Carols for Christmastide, a version that is still sung today.
Picture posted by glogster.com
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https://edu.glogster.com/glog/history-colony/1p8odvb6sf3?=glogpedia-source


Neale has become famous for producing two well-known carols, which are his translations of much older hymns: "Good Christian Men, Rejoice" and "O Come, O Come Emmanuel".

Biblical Insights from the Carol [1]
The carol echoes the joyful strains of the angels' song that the shepherds heard. It invites us to rejoice "with heart and soul, and voice". It is a call to sing wholeheartedly, with joy arising from the depths of our being. Too often, our voice becomes disconnected from our heart and soul when we sing in church, such that singing becomes a mechanical routine, without much thought and feeling involved. Singers may not think deeply about what they are singing or may sing half-heartedly, making their act of worship hypocritical, as what they are singing does not reflect the condition of their hearts.


The carol echoes the joyful strains of the angels' song that the shepherds heard.
PHOTO: The carol echoes the joyful strains of the angels' song that the shepherds heard. It invites us to rejoice "with heart and soul, and voice". It is a call to sing wholeheartedly, with joy arising from the depths of our being.
Picture posted by 123RF
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We need to heed the exhortation of the apostle Paul: "Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:19, emphasis added), or that of the psalmist: "I will sing and make music with all my soul" (Psalm 108:1, emphasis added). The things of God we sing about are too glorious and too wonderful to be marginalised by half-hearted singing. This carol reminds us to sing with our whole being - because we are singing about the birth of our great and wonderful Saviour.


We need to heed the exhortation of the apostle Paul:
PHOTO: We need to heed the exhortation of the apostle Paul: "Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:19, emphasis added), or that of the psalmist: "I will sing and make music with all my soul" (Psalm 108:1, emphasis added). This carol reminds us to sing with our whole being - because we are singing about the birth of our great and wonderful Saviour.
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The first stanza speaks about the ox and ass bowing before the new-born king. Though the gospel writers do not mention any animals in the place Jesus was born, they do mention a manger (feeding trough). The popular notion is that Jesus was born in a stable full of animals.


The first stanza speaks about the ox and ass bowing before the new-born king.
PHOTO: The first stanza speaks about the ox and ass bowing before the new-born king. Though the gospel writers do not mention any animals in the place Jesus was born, they do mention a manger (feeding trough). The popular notion is that Jesus was born in a stable full of animals.
Picture posted by agefotostock.com - Away in a Manger - Nativity scene with animals
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The tradition of including the ox and the ass in the Christmas story goes back to the early centuries of church history. Origen (AD 185-254), the first great Bible scholar, connected Isaiah 1:3 ("The ox knows its masters, the donkey its owner's manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand") with the Christmas story. The rendering of Habakkuk 3:2 in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible that was commonly used at the time of Christ) - "In the midst of two animals thou shalt be known; When the years draw nigh thou shalt be well known; when the time is come thou shalt be revealed" - was understood by many church fathers as referring to the incarnation of the Lord and echoing Isaiah 1:3. Following this tradition, early church icons depict the birth of Jesus with the ox standing at the head of the manger and the ass at the feet of the baby.


The tradition of including the ox and the ass in the Christmas story goes back to the early centuries of church history.
PHOTO: The tradition of including the ox and the ass in the Christmas story goes back to the early centuries of church history. Early church icons depict the birth of Jesus with the ox standing at the head of the manger and the ass at the feet of the baby.
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The ox was a clean animal while the ass was unclean, according to the dietary rules in the law of Moses. The law also stipulated, "Do not plough with an ox and a donkey yoked together" (Deuteronomy 22:10). Some church fathers saw this in the context of the nativity story to mean that Christ brought together both Jews (represented by the ox) and Gentiles (represented by the ass). This becomes clear when we read in Acts how Jesus commands His disciples to preach the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles, leading to a church containing members from both groups, united by and in Christ (see Ephesians 2:16, "In one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility"). "There is neither Jew nor Gentile," declares Paul, ". . . for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).


The ox was a clean animal while the ass was unclean, according to the dietary rules in the law of Moses.
PHOTO: The ox was a clean animal while the ass was unclean, according to the dietary rules in the law of Moses. Some church fathers saw this in the context of the nativity story to mean that Christ brought together both Jews (represented by the ox) and Gentiles (represented by the ass). Jesus commands His disciples to preach the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles, leading to a church containing members from both groups, united by and in Christ.
Picture posted by Prayer Thoughts & Hope
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The carol draws from this old tradition when it mentions the ox and ass bowing before the Lord.

The second stanza continues the exuberant joy connected with the birth of Jesus Christ. The reason is that Christ "has opened the heavenly door". Since Adam and Eve were driven out of Eden, they and their descendants, the whole human race, have become a race of restless wanderers (Genesis 4:12). In his psalm, Moses depicts the sad script of human life:

We are consumed by your anger
and terrified by your indignation.
You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.
All our days pass away under your wrath;
we finish our years with a moan.
Our days may come to seventy years,
or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away. (Psalm 90:7-10)


Moses depicts the sad script of human life
PHOTO: Moses depicts the sad script of human life
Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
Picture posted by CarmensArts on 10 August 2017 - The Farewell
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https://www.deviantart.com/carmensarts/art/The-Farewell-697814767


But God has taken pity on us, and has sent us His Son, who came down from heaven (John 6:38). Heaven's door were opened for Jesus to descend to earth. But the doors were still shut to others. Jesus explained to Nicodemus, "No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven - the Son of Man" (John 3:13). This was so until the death of Jesus our Saviour, whose death opened heaven's door for us. "After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven" (Revelation 4:1). The way into heaven was opened for us by the Lord Jesus Christ. We can now go to the Father's house, to where Jesus has ascended into heaven to prepare a place for us (John 14:2).


God has taken pity on us, and has sent us His Son, who came down from heaven (John 6:38).
PHOTO: God has taken pity on us, and has sent us His Son, who came down from heaven (John 6:38). Heaven's door were opened for Jesus to descend to earth. The way into heaven was opened for us by the Lord Jesus Christ. We can now go to the Father's house, to where Jesus has ascended into heaven to prepare a place for us (John 14:2).
Picture posted by cm-admin on 16 March 2016
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http://christianitymalaysia.com/wp/3rd-heaven/


This is astounding news to a people once kept out of heaven. Now, in Christ, heaven has become our permanent address. There we will enjoy "endless bliss" and be "blest forevermore" (Stanza 2). Christ was born for this!


To people once kept out of heaven, this is astounding news.
PHOTO: To people once kept out of heaven, this is astounding news. Now, in Christ, heaven has become our permanent address. There we will enjoy "endless bliss" and be "blest forevermore" Christ was born for this!
Picture posted by danielgaucan on 12 october 2015
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https://daniilgaucan.wordpress.com/2015/10/12/luna-noua-in-balanta-13-octombrie-2015-o-resetare-pe-care-am-asteptat-o-cu-totii/


The third stanza deals with the fear of death, a real threat at the time this song was written and sung - with plagues killing a third of Europe's population. This fear continues in our day, with threats like cancer and terrorism. But because of what Jesus has accomplished for us on the cross and through the empty grave, we "need not fear the grave" (Stanza 3). Beyond death is a celestial "everlasting hall" (Stanza 3) where we can forever be with the God who loves us. It was for this purpose that Christ was born 2,000 years ago. Christ was born to save! He wants to save you and me. Thus the gospel invitation is sent out by Him to one (the specific individual) and to all (the human race). What a salvation! What an invitation!


Beyond death is a celestial 'everlasting hall' where we can forever be with the God who loves us.
PHOTO: Beyond death is a celestial "everlasting hall" where we can forever be with the God who loves us. It was for this purpose that Christ was born 2,000 years ago. Christ was born to save! He wants to save you and me. Thus the gospel invitation is sent out by Him to one (the specific individual) and to all (the human race).
Picture posted by Jamal Husayn Eali @JamalhusA on 26 June 2019 at 2:11 PM
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https://twitter.com/JamalhusA/status/1143990191004274689


Martin Luther, when reading Romans 1:17 about how we are made righteous by God's grace in Christ, testified that he had found the "gate to paradise". [3] What does the gate to paradise also called the open door of heaven in this carol, mean for you in your daily devotional life?

Heaven's Open Door (Gate to Paradise) [2]
"After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, 'Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.' At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it." (Revelation 4:1-2).


Heaven's Door (Gate to Paradise) (Revelation 4:1-2).
PHOTO: Heaven's Door (Gate to Paradise) (Revelation 4:1-2).
Picture posted by Alibaba.com
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This picture surprises us because we know that an open door often extends an invitation to come in. This is an enticing opportunity because heaven is often considered a place of mysteries that we do not have access to. For the most part, it is God’s secret—at least from our day-to-day living in this life. But here Jesus opens heaven’s door. And in a voice like a trumpet, he welcomes us, saying, “Come up here.”

The invitation promises to reveal “what must take place after this.” But as John tells the story of walking through heaven’s open door, the future is not the first thing that catches his attention. Instead, he sees “a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.”

Heaven’s open door has us standing before the throne of all thrones, from which everything in heaven and on earth is loved and cared for.


This picture surprises us because we know that an open door often extends an invitation to come in.
PHOTO: This picture surprises us because we know that an open door often extends an invitation to come in. This is an enticing opportunity because heaven is often considered a place of mysteries that we do not have access to. For the most part, it is God’s secret—at least from our day-to-day living in this life.
Picture posted by joeff1 on 21 December 2014 - Gates Of Heaven
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Still today, the Holy Spirit opens heaven’s door wide so that we can visualize this scene and let its story encourage us to live by faith in Jesus today.


Dear Lord, what a marvellous gift you have revealed in heaven’s open door and in your invitation to 'come up here.'
Dear Lord, what a marvellous gift you have revealed in heaven’s open door and in your invitation to 'come up here.'
PHOTO: "Dear Lord, what a marvellous gift you have revealed in heaven’s open door and in your invitation to 'come up here.' Give us hope as we reflect on your ongoing rule and reign today.
Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray, Amen!"
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Reflection - Good Christian Men, Rejoice
Question from source (book): "Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, Chapter 7, "Good Christian Men, Rejoice", Page 76.
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
[1] 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 7, "Good Christian Men, Rejoice", Page 69-76.

[2] Jim Poelman, Heaven's Open Door, https://today.reframemedia.com/devotions/heavens-open-door

[3] Patrick Collinson, The Reformation: A History (New York: Modern Library, 2003), 8.


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