It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - The Rest of the Story.

 

Rev Cathy Reflects

Wednesday December 8, 2021  

                Christmas is just 3 weeks away and the Hallmark

Romance movies are on every two hours. These movies show people falling in love during the Christmas season based upon specific situations and circumstances. The scenery is usually somewhere in Canada in the winter and of course Christmas carols play throughout reminding us that there is a reason for Christmas and it is Jesus’ birth!

                A minister in Wayland, Massachusetts write a hymn 1849 as the Industrial Revolution had arrived in the New England states. Edmund Hamilton Sears saw the challenges and changes around him, as many people had left their home farms and began to move west to find better soil.  Others left their land and entered the mills and factories only to endure long days of labour. There was much social upheaval because of the Industrial Revolution. There was also a sense of loss and wonder. Leaving the agrarian lifestyle brought many challenges but when the words were sung from the heart, a stirring of hope was made possible. ‘It came upon the midnight clear/ that glorious song of old”. It was just 12 years later when the American Civil War began and in those years, though the words were filled with despair, there was also message of hope!

‘beneath life’s crushing load... who toil  along the way,

-- hush the noise, ye men of strife, and hear the angels sing.”       

 All that is being asked is simply to listen:  “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. “(Luke 2:10-11)

Listen to the words of the angels- rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing!

What is the song of the angels? What song are longing to hear them sing?

The song of the angels rings out loudly as we pray, sing and celebrate Jesus’ birth. Are we ready to sing like the angels? Jesus is born. Thanks be to God!

PRAYER God of grace we praise you that the song of the angels is still heard in the hearts of many people. Be with us O God as we strive to know this song as we seek Christ within us. Bless us we pray in the name of Jesus, the Promised One! Amen.