Source (book): "Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, Chapter 17, "The First Noel", Page 174.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012
PHOTO: Take time to reflect on what it means to look for Jesus, find Him, go to Him, and worship Him.
What the magi did upon arriving at the house is the subject of the fifth stanza. They "bowed down and worshipped him" (Matthew 2:11), "Full reverently upon their knee" (Stanza 5). They then "presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh" (Matthew 2:11). They paid homage to the child and recognised Him for who He was. We too are inspired to do the same, to make every attempt to find Jesus, to come to Him and humbly worship Him (we are never too important to bend our knees before Him), and offer Him our best, even our own lives.
In what way does Jesus exercise His kingship over you?
The final stanza is a rousing call to all to worship and thank God for what He has done for us through Christ. He who made heaven and earth from nothing, creatio ex nihilo (Latin for "creation from nothing", see Hebrews 11:3), has bought humankind and redeemed us from our sins with the blood that was shed on the cross by the One who was born on Christmas Day, born to die that we may live.
Our salvation was purchased by the blood of Jesus - a costly price to pay. Which of us would do that to save others? The blood of Jesus was special because it represented His very life which was laid down on the cross for our sake. Jesus died as a ransom to set us free (Hebrews 9:15), meaning that the "ransom" paid to release us from eternal condemnation was His very life, the blood that He shed for us on the cross. Why was this necessary? Scripture offers the answer: "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (Hebrews 9:22). The blood of Jesus not only brings us God's forgiveness (otherwise we remain unforgiven; no matter how hard we try to forgive ourselves, our conscience will keep reminding us of our guilt), but also cleansing and a new destiny. "How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!" (Hebrews 9:14).
What do you have to offer Him?
Here are the words from another hymn, "Here is Love" by Welshman William Rees, that encourage us to meditate on what Jesus has done for us:
Here is love, vast as the ocean,
Loving-kindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our Ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten,
Throughout heav'n's eternal days.
This hymn was repeatedly sung during the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival. May its thoughts, echoing our Christmas hymn, produce a revival in our hearts.
Picture posted by Imago Images - Angles proclaiming the birth of Jesus
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The First Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds
in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay, keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Refrain
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.
And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far;
To seek for a king was their intent.
And to follow the star wherever it went.
This star drew nigh to the northwest,
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest,
And there it did both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay.
Then entered in those wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
Their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.
Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord;
That hath made heaven and earth of naught,
And with his blood mankind hath bought.
(Source: Service Book and Hymnal [Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1958], #40)
PHOTO: This is a classic English folk carol. It was first published in Carols Ancient and Modern in 1823, edited by William Sandy (1792-1874), an English solicitor and collector of ancient Christmas carols who traced "The First Noel" to western Cornwall.
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History of the Carol [1]
This is a classic English folk carol. It was first published in Carols Ancient and Modern in 1823, edited by William Sandy (1792-1874), an English solicitor and collector of ancient Christmas carols who traced "The First Noel" to western Cornwall. Both Sandys and Davies Gilbert (1767-1839), a Cornish engineer and politician and president of the Royal Society, edited and republished the hymn in 1833 in their Gilbert and Sandy Carols.
PHOTO: "The First Noel" originated in its current form from Cornwall, England, first appearing in William Sandys' 1823 songbook Carols Ancient and Modern.
Picture posted by Dan Cross on 03 July 2019
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https://www.liveabout.com/the-first-noel-chords-4082758
The word "Noel", or its variant spelling "Nowell", is and old way of saying "Christmas". There are many variations on the song, and several of these versions have been published. One version (Ralph Dunstan's The Cornish Songbook, 1992) replaces "Noel" with "O well". The popular version presented above is from The New English Hymnal (1986). The modern music arrangement was written by English composer and organist John Stainer (1840-1901) and published in Bramley and Stainer's Christmas Carols New and Old (1871).
PHOTO: The modern music arrangement was written by English composer and organist John Stainer (1840-1901) and published in Bramley and Stainer's Christmas Carols New and Old (1871).
Picture posted by Prabook
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https://prabook.com/web/john.stainer/3723648
Biblical Insights from the Carol [1]
The refrain of the song calls for the joyful celebration of Christmas because the King of Israel was born on Christmas day. The magi from the East came looking for the new-born Jesus because they were convinced that the star that had appeared marked the birth of a special king of the Jews (Matthew 2:2). That Jesus was this special king is affirmed many times in Scripture.
PHOTO: The refrain of the song calls for the joyful celebration of Christmas because the King of Israel was born on Christmas day. Jesus was this special king is affirmed many times in Scripture.
Picture posted by Laity for Mercy
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When Jesus revealed that He possessed extraordinary knowledge of Nathaniel even before laying eyes on him for the first time, the latter testified, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the king of Israel" (John 1:49). When Jesus led the procession into Jerusalem, before His crucifixion, the people greeted Him with palm branches by singing, "Blessed is the king of Israel" (John 12:13). And when Jesus was crucified, a board was fastened to the cross, as ordered by the Roman governor Pontius Pilate; it read "JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS" (John 19:19). It was common at Roman public executions to state the crimes of the condemned prisoner. Because Pilate could not pin any charge on Jesus (John 19:6), he simply wrote what Jesus claimed to be when he had asked Him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" (John 18:33).
The words on the cross were written in three languages: Aramaic (the local language), Latin (the official language of the Roman government), and Greek (the language of trade and academia). It was as if the truth that Jesus was the King of the Jews (which Pilate had unwittingly placed as a sign on the cross) was being declared far and wide, to every sphere of life and society. The Latin words on the sign were "Jēsus Nazarēnus Rēx Iūdaeōrum", which is why in paintings of the crucifixion the sign on the cross often reads "INRI", which are the initials of the Latin phrase.
PHOTO: When Jesus was crucified, a board was fastened to the cross, as ordered by the Roman governor Pontius Pilate; it read "JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS" (John 19:19). The Latin words on the sign were "Jēsus Nazarēnus Rēx Iūdaeōrum", which is why in paintings of the crucifixion the sign on the cross often reads "INRI", which are the initials of the Latin phrase.
("scripsit autem et titulum Pilatus et posuit super crucem erat autem scriptum Iesus Nazarenus rex Iudaeorum" (John 19:19 Latin Vulgate))
("Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS." (John 19:19))
Picture posted by Anonymous on Saturday, 31 Aug 2019 at 05:20:52
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The first stanza of the song refers to the story of the shepherds who, while watching over their flocks, saw an angel come down from heaven to tell them the good news about the birth of the Saviour. The reference to "a cold winter's night" (Stanza 1) is due to cultural influence in Western Christianity. Because Christmas falls at the end of December, it became associated with the cold deep winter, as is often depicted in songs and paintings. Scripture says that the shepherds were out with their flocks "at night" (Luke 2:8). They would not have been out in the open if it had been winter. Many scholars think that the original Christmas event took place in spring, in a warmer climate. But people like to set Christmas in winter (a nostalgic idea in the Western hemisphere), and that is what the last line of the stanza conveys.
PHOTO: The first stanza of the song refers to the story of the shepherds who, while watching over their flocks, saw an angel come down from heaven to tell them the good news about the birth of the Saviour. Many scholars think that the original Christmas event took place in spring, in a warmer climate. But people like to set Christmas in winter (a nostalgic idea in the Western hemisphere), and that is what the last line of the stanza conveys.
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-angels-we-have-heard-on-high.html
The next four stanzas speak of the experience of the magi from the East. They saw the star that signified the birth of Jesus, and were led by it "day and night" (Stanza 2) to the very place that Jesus was. Their arrival was not on the same night that Jesus was born. Scripture says that they found Jesus in a "house" in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:11). There is no mention of a stable or manger. Also, when King Herod sought to kill the new-born king, he ordered his soldiers to kill all boys in Bethlehem "two years old and under" (Matthew 2:16), suggesting that some time had elapsed between the birth of Jesus and the arrival of the magi.
PHOTO: The magi from the East saw the star that signified the birth of Jesus, and were led by it "day and night" to the very place that Jesus was. Scripture says that they found Jesus in a "house" in Bethlehem. Also, when King Herod sought to kill the new-born king, he ordered his soldiers to kill all boys in Bethlehem "two years old and under", suggesting that some time had elapsed between the birth of Jesus and the arrival of the magi.
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/02/reflection-o-little-town-of-bethlehem.html
Take time to reflect on what it means to look for Jesus, find Him, go to Him, and worship Him. In what way does Jesus exercise His kingship over you, and what do you have to offer Him?
Take time to reflect on what it means to look for Jesus, find Him, go to Him, and worship Him.
What the magi did upon arriving at the house is the subject of the fifth stanza. They "bowed down and worshipped him" (Matthew 2:11), "Full reverently upon their knee" (Stanza 5). They then "presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh" (Matthew 2:11). They paid homage to the child and recognised Him for who He was. We too are inspired to do the same, to make every attempt to find Jesus, to come to Him and humbly worship Him (we are never too important to bend our knees before Him), and offer Him our best, even our own lives.
PHOTO: The magi did upon arriving at the house 'bowed down and worshipped him'. They then "presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh". They paid homage to the child and recognised Him for who He was. We too are inspired to do the same, to make every attempt to find Jesus, to come to Him and humbly worship Him (we are never too important to bend our knees before Him), and offer Him our best, even our own lives.
Picture posted by FineArtAmerica.com on 29 July 2015 - Nativity Scene. The Three Wise Men With . . . is a drawing by Vintage Design Pics
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In what way does Jesus exercise His kingship over you?
The final stanza is a rousing call to all to worship and thank God for what He has done for us through Christ. He who made heaven and earth from nothing, creatio ex nihilo (Latin for "creation from nothing", see Hebrews 11:3), has bought humankind and redeemed us from our sins with the blood that was shed on the cross by the One who was born on Christmas Day, born to die that we may live.
PHOTO: God who made heaven and earth from nothing, through Christ has bought humankind and redeemed us from our sins with the blood that was shed on the cross by the One who was born on Christmas Day, born to die that we may live.
Picture posted by Gfycat
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Our salvation was purchased by the blood of Jesus - a costly price to pay. Which of us would do that to save others? The blood of Jesus was special because it represented His very life which was laid down on the cross for our sake. Jesus died as a ransom to set us free (Hebrews 9:15), meaning that the "ransom" paid to release us from eternal condemnation was His very life, the blood that He shed for us on the cross. Why was this necessary? Scripture offers the answer: "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (Hebrews 9:22). The blood of Jesus not only brings us God's forgiveness (otherwise we remain unforgiven; no matter how hard we try to forgive ourselves, our conscience will keep reminding us of our guilt), but also cleansing and a new destiny. "How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!" (Hebrews 9:14).
PHOTO: The blood of Jesus not only brings us God's forgiveness (otherwise we remain unforgiven; no matter how hard we try to forgive ourselves, our conscience will keep reminding us of our guilt), but also cleansing and a new destiny. Tthe blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
Picture posted by Joyland Gift Store - The Passion of Christ
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What do you have to offer Him?
Here are the words from another hymn, "Here is Love" by Welshman William Rees, that encourage us to meditate on what Jesus has done for us:
Here is love, vast as the ocean,
Loving-kindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our Ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten,
Throughout heav'n's eternal days. [6]
PHOTO: What do you have to offer Him?
"Here is Love" by Welshman William Rees, that encourage us to meditate on what Jesus has done for us. May its thoughts, echoing our Christmas hymn, produce a revival in our hearts.
Picture from Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
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This hymn was repeatedly sung during the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival. May its thoughts, echoing our Christmas hymn, produce a revival in our hearts.
PHOTO: We are to meditate on what Jesus has done for us. We pray for the thoughts to prevail throughout heaven’s eternal days. May this Christmas hymn which was repeatedly sung during the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival, produce a revival in our hearts.
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Easter-Sunday.png
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PHOTO: “Dear Lord, we learn what it means to look for Jesus, find Him, go to Him, and worship Him. The magi upon arriving at the house that Jesus was, ‘bowed down and worshipped him’, ‘Full reverently upon their knee’, and then ‘presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh’. They paid homage to the child and recognised Him for who He was. We too are inspired to do the same, to make every attempt to find Jesus, to come to Him and humbly worship Him (we are never too important to bend our knees before Him), and offer Him our best, even our own lives.
Jesus exercise His kingship over us by creating heaven, earth, and humankind from nothing. He redeemed us from our sins with His blood that was shed on the cross. He is the One who was born on Christmas Day, born to die that we may live.
Our salvation was purchased by the blood of Jesus - a costly price to pay. The blood of Jesus was special because it represented His very life which was laid down on the cross for our sake. Jesus died as a ransom to set us free. Thank You for using Jesus life to pay the ransom to release us from eternal condemnation. Thank You for His blood that He shed for us on the cross. Otherwise, without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. We would remain unforgiven; no matter how hard we try to forgive ourselves, our conscience will keep reminding us of our guilt. Thank You for cleansing our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God.
We are to meditate on what Jesus has done for us. We pray for the thoughts to prevail throughout heaven’s eternal days. May this Christmas hymn which was repeatedly sung during the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival, produce a revival in our hearts.
Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!”
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Reflection - The First Noel
Question from source (book): "Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, Chapter 17, "The First Noel", Page 174.
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
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)
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
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
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012
PHOTO: Take time to reflect on what it means to look for Jesus, find Him, go to Him, and worship Him.
What the magi did upon arriving at the house is the subject of the fifth stanza. They "bowed down and worshipped him" (Matthew 2:11), "Full reverently upon their knee" (Stanza 5). They then "presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh" (Matthew 2:11). They paid homage to the child and recognised Him for who He was. We too are inspired to do the same, to make every attempt to find Jesus, to come to Him and humbly worship Him (we are never too important to bend our knees before Him), and offer Him our best, even our own lives.
In what way does Jesus exercise His kingship over you?
The final stanza is a rousing call to all to worship and thank God for what He has done for us through Christ. He who made heaven and earth from nothing, creatio ex nihilo (Latin for "creation from nothing", see Hebrews 11:3), has bought humankind and redeemed us from our sins with the blood that was shed on the cross by the One who was born on Christmas Day, born to die that we may live.
Our salvation was purchased by the blood of Jesus - a costly price to pay. Which of us would do that to save others? The blood of Jesus was special because it represented His very life which was laid down on the cross for our sake. Jesus died as a ransom to set us free (Hebrews 9:15), meaning that the "ransom" paid to release us from eternal condemnation was His very life, the blood that He shed for us on the cross. Why was this necessary? Scripture offers the answer: "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (Hebrews 9:22). The blood of Jesus not only brings us God's forgiveness (otherwise we remain unforgiven; no matter how hard we try to forgive ourselves, our conscience will keep reminding us of our guilt), but also cleansing and a new destiny. "How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!" (Hebrews 9:14).
What do you have to offer Him?
Here are the words from another hymn, "Here is Love" by Welshman William Rees, that encourage us to meditate on what Jesus has done for us:
Here is love, vast as the ocean,
Loving-kindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our Ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten,
Throughout heav'n's eternal days.
This hymn was repeatedly sung during the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival. May its thoughts, echoing our Christmas hymn, produce a revival in our hearts.
Picture posted by Imago Images - Angles proclaiming the birth of Jesus
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https://www.imago-images.de/search?creative=on&suchtext=christ-shepherdsThe First Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds
in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay, keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Refrain
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.
And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far;
To seek for a king was their intent.
And to follow the star wherever it went.
This star drew nigh to the northwest,
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest,
And there it did both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay.
Then entered in those wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
Their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.
Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord;
That hath made heaven and earth of naught,
And with his blood mankind hath bought.
(Source: Service Book and Hymnal [Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1958], #40)
PHOTO: This is a classic English folk carol. It was first published in Carols Ancient and Modern in 1823, edited by William Sandy (1792-1874), an English solicitor and collector of ancient Christmas carols who traced "The First Noel" to western Cornwall.
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History of the Carol [1]
This is a classic English folk carol. It was first published in Carols Ancient and Modern in 1823, edited by William Sandy (1792-1874), an English solicitor and collector of ancient Christmas carols who traced "The First Noel" to western Cornwall. Both Sandys and Davies Gilbert (1767-1839), a Cornish engineer and politician and president of the Royal Society, edited and republished the hymn in 1833 in their Gilbert and Sandy Carols.
PHOTO: "The First Noel" originated in its current form from Cornwall, England, first appearing in William Sandys' 1823 songbook Carols Ancient and Modern.
Picture posted by Dan Cross on 03 July 2019
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The word "Noel", or its variant spelling "Nowell", is and old way of saying "Christmas". There are many variations on the song, and several of these versions have been published. One version (Ralph Dunstan's The Cornish Songbook, 1992) replaces "Noel" with "O well". The popular version presented above is from The New English Hymnal (1986). The modern music arrangement was written by English composer and organist John Stainer (1840-1901) and published in Bramley and Stainer's Christmas Carols New and Old (1871).
PHOTO: The modern music arrangement was written by English composer and organist John Stainer (1840-1901) and published in Bramley and Stainer's Christmas Carols New and Old (1871).
Picture posted by Prabook
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https://prabook.com/web/john.stainer/3723648
Biblical Insights from the Carol [1]
The refrain of the song calls for the joyful celebration of Christmas because the King of Israel was born on Christmas day. The magi from the East came looking for the new-born Jesus because they were convinced that the star that had appeared marked the birth of a special king of the Jews (Matthew 2:2). That Jesus was this special king is affirmed many times in Scripture.
PHOTO: The refrain of the song calls for the joyful celebration of Christmas because the King of Israel was born on Christmas day. Jesus was this special king is affirmed many times in Scripture.
Picture posted by Laity for Mercy
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When Jesus revealed that He possessed extraordinary knowledge of Nathaniel even before laying eyes on him for the first time, the latter testified, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the king of Israel" (John 1:49). When Jesus led the procession into Jerusalem, before His crucifixion, the people greeted Him with palm branches by singing, "Blessed is the king of Israel" (John 12:13). And when Jesus was crucified, a board was fastened to the cross, as ordered by the Roman governor Pontius Pilate; it read "JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS" (John 19:19). It was common at Roman public executions to state the crimes of the condemned prisoner. Because Pilate could not pin any charge on Jesus (John 19:6), he simply wrote what Jesus claimed to be when he had asked Him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" (John 18:33).
The words on the cross were written in three languages: Aramaic (the local language), Latin (the official language of the Roman government), and Greek (the language of trade and academia). It was as if the truth that Jesus was the King of the Jews (which Pilate had unwittingly placed as a sign on the cross) was being declared far and wide, to every sphere of life and society. The Latin words on the sign were "Jēsus Nazarēnus Rēx Iūdaeōrum", which is why in paintings of the crucifixion the sign on the cross often reads "INRI", which are the initials of the Latin phrase.
("scripsit autem et titulum Pilatus et posuit super crucem erat autem scriptum Iesus Nazarenus rex Iudaeorum" (John 19:19 Latin Vulgate))
("Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS." (John 19:19))
Picture posted by Anonymous on Saturday, 31 Aug 2019 at 05:20:52
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The first stanza of the song refers to the story of the shepherds who, while watching over their flocks, saw an angel come down from heaven to tell them the good news about the birth of the Saviour. The reference to "a cold winter's night" (Stanza 1) is due to cultural influence in Western Christianity. Because Christmas falls at the end of December, it became associated with the cold deep winter, as is often depicted in songs and paintings. Scripture says that the shepherds were out with their flocks "at night" (Luke 2:8). They would not have been out in the open if it had been winter. Many scholars think that the original Christmas event took place in spring, in a warmer climate. But people like to set Christmas in winter (a nostalgic idea in the Western hemisphere), and that is what the last line of the stanza conveys.
PHOTO: The first stanza of the song refers to the story of the shepherds who, while watching over their flocks, saw an angel come down from heaven to tell them the good news about the birth of the Saviour. Many scholars think that the original Christmas event took place in spring, in a warmer climate. But people like to set Christmas in winter (a nostalgic idea in the Western hemisphere), and that is what the last line of the stanza conveys.
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The next four stanzas speak of the experience of the magi from the East. They saw the star that signified the birth of Jesus, and were led by it "day and night" (Stanza 2) to the very place that Jesus was. Their arrival was not on the same night that Jesus was born. Scripture says that they found Jesus in a "house" in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:11). There is no mention of a stable or manger. Also, when King Herod sought to kill the new-born king, he ordered his soldiers to kill all boys in Bethlehem "two years old and under" (Matthew 2:16), suggesting that some time had elapsed between the birth of Jesus and the arrival of the magi.
PHOTO: The magi from the East saw the star that signified the birth of Jesus, and were led by it "day and night" to the very place that Jesus was. Scripture says that they found Jesus in a "house" in Bethlehem. Also, when King Herod sought to kill the new-born king, he ordered his soldiers to kill all boys in Bethlehem "two years old and under", suggesting that some time had elapsed between the birth of Jesus and the arrival of the magi.
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Take time to reflect on what it means to look for Jesus, find Him, go to Him, and worship Him. In what way does Jesus exercise His kingship over you, and what do you have to offer Him?
Take time to reflect on what it means to look for Jesus, find Him, go to Him, and worship Him.
What the magi did upon arriving at the house is the subject of the fifth stanza. They "bowed down and worshipped him" (Matthew 2:11), "Full reverently upon their knee" (Stanza 5). They then "presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh" (Matthew 2:11). They paid homage to the child and recognised Him for who He was. We too are inspired to do the same, to make every attempt to find Jesus, to come to Him and humbly worship Him (we are never too important to bend our knees before Him), and offer Him our best, even our own lives.
PHOTO: The magi did upon arriving at the house 'bowed down and worshipped him'. They then "presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh". They paid homage to the child and recognised Him for who He was. We too are inspired to do the same, to make every attempt to find Jesus, to come to Him and humbly worship Him (we are never too important to bend our knees before Him), and offer Him our best, even our own lives.
Picture posted by FineArtAmerica.com on 29 July 2015 - Nativity Scene. The Three Wise Men With . . . is a drawing by Vintage Design Pics
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In what way does Jesus exercise His kingship over you?
The final stanza is a rousing call to all to worship and thank God for what He has done for us through Christ. He who made heaven and earth from nothing, creatio ex nihilo (Latin for "creation from nothing", see Hebrews 11:3), has bought humankind and redeemed us from our sins with the blood that was shed on the cross by the One who was born on Christmas Day, born to die that we may live.
PHOTO: God who made heaven and earth from nothing, through Christ has bought humankind and redeemed us from our sins with the blood that was shed on the cross by the One who was born on Christmas Day, born to die that we may live.
Picture posted by Gfycat
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Our salvation was purchased by the blood of Jesus - a costly price to pay. Which of us would do that to save others? The blood of Jesus was special because it represented His very life which was laid down on the cross for our sake. Jesus died as a ransom to set us free (Hebrews 9:15), meaning that the "ransom" paid to release us from eternal condemnation was His very life, the blood that He shed for us on the cross. Why was this necessary? Scripture offers the answer: "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (Hebrews 9:22). The blood of Jesus not only brings us God's forgiveness (otherwise we remain unforgiven; no matter how hard we try to forgive ourselves, our conscience will keep reminding us of our guilt), but also cleansing and a new destiny. "How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!" (Hebrews 9:14).
PHOTO: The blood of Jesus not only brings us God's forgiveness (otherwise we remain unforgiven; no matter how hard we try to forgive ourselves, our conscience will keep reminding us of our guilt), but also cleansing and a new destiny. Tthe blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
Picture posted by Joyland Gift Store - The Passion of Christ
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What do you have to offer Him?
Here are the words from another hymn, "Here is Love" by Welshman William Rees, that encourage us to meditate on what Jesus has done for us:
Here is love, vast as the ocean,
Loving-kindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our Ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten,
Throughout heav'n's eternal days. [6]
PHOTO: What do you have to offer Him?
"Here is Love" by Welshman William Rees, that encourage us to meditate on what Jesus has done for us. May its thoughts, echoing our Christmas hymn, produce a revival in our hearts.
Picture from Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
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This hymn was repeatedly sung during the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival. May its thoughts, echoing our Christmas hymn, produce a revival in our hearts.
PHOTO: We are to meditate on what Jesus has done for us. We pray for the thoughts to prevail throughout heaven’s eternal days. May this Christmas hymn which was repeatedly sung during the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival, produce a revival in our hearts.
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Easter-Sunday.png
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PHOTO: “Dear Lord, we learn what it means to look for Jesus, find Him, go to Him, and worship Him. The magi upon arriving at the house that Jesus was, ‘bowed down and worshipped him’, ‘Full reverently upon their knee’, and then ‘presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh’. They paid homage to the child and recognised Him for who He was. We too are inspired to do the same, to make every attempt to find Jesus, to come to Him and humbly worship Him (we are never too important to bend our knees before Him), and offer Him our best, even our own lives.
Jesus exercise His kingship over us by creating heaven, earth, and humankind from nothing. He redeemed us from our sins with His blood that was shed on the cross. He is the One who was born on Christmas Day, born to die that we may live.
Our salvation was purchased by the blood of Jesus - a costly price to pay. The blood of Jesus was special because it represented His very life which was laid down on the cross for our sake. Jesus died as a ransom to set us free. Thank You for using Jesus life to pay the ransom to release us from eternal condemnation. Thank You for His blood that He shed for us on the cross. Otherwise, without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. We would remain unforgiven; no matter how hard we try to forgive ourselves, our conscience will keep reminding us of our guilt. Thank You for cleansing our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God.
We are to meditate on what Jesus has done for us. We pray for the thoughts to prevail throughout heaven’s eternal days. May this Christmas hymn which was repeatedly sung during the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival, produce a revival in our hearts.
Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!”
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Reflection - The First Noel
Question from source (book): "Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, Chapter 17, "The First Noel", Page 174.
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
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)
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
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
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 17, "The First Noel", Page 167-174.[6] Tim Ruffer, Anne Harrison, John Barnard, Gordon Giles, eds., Ancient and Modern: Hymns and Songs for Refreshing Worship (Norwich: Canterbury Press, 2013), #143.
New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Hebrews 9:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+9%3A14&version=NIV
Hebrews 9:15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+9%3A15&version=NIV
Hebrews 9:22 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+9%3A22&version=NIV
Hebrews 11:3 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+11%3A3&version=NIV
John 1:49 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A49&version=NIV
John 12:13 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+12%3A13&version=NIV
John 18:33 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+18%3A33&version=NIV
John 19:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+19%3A6&version=NIV
John 19:19 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+19%3A19&version=NIV
John 19:19 Latin Vulgate - https://www.biblestudytools.com/vul/john/19-19.html
Luke 2:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A8&version=NIV
Matthew 2:2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+2%3A2&version=NIV
Matthew 2:11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+2%3A11&version=NIV
Matthew 2:16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+2%3A16&version=NIV
Matthew 11:28-29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-29&version=NIV
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- https://feastofmercy.net/pages/the-eucharist-life-and-summit-of-divine-mercy-sunday
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- https://www.goodsalt.com/view/the-angels-and-the-shepherds-GoodSalt-stdas0407.jpg
- https://www.goodsalt.com/details/stdas0407.html
- https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-angels-we-have-heard-on-high.html
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- https://www.amazon.com/Springbok-Puzzles-Jigsaw-Puzzle-Interlocking/dp/B07RXM9CR7
- https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/12/reflection-o-come-all-ye-faithful.html
- https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/02/reflection-o-little-town-of-bethlehem.html
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