Christian Reflection and Prayer

PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD
JESUS CHRIST IS COMING !

In a world where nature and our environment
are threatened, let us make our Christmas
tree and manger scene reminders of the
beauty and sacredness of nature. How
closely at his coming did Jesus bind himself
to the animals of the field, as well as to the
earth and the open sky!

Scripture:

Zephaniah 3:14-20

Isaiah 12:2-6

Philippians 4:4-7

Luke 3:7-18

Prayer:

Adult:
O Jesus Christ,
Key of David,
come and set your people free.
Open the gates of heaven for us;
come, deliver us from evil.

Child:
King David was a mighty king
who built a city long ago.
He left a key
that Jesus found in the manger hay.
Key of David, Jesus Christ,
open heaven's gates for us.

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.

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 rev'rently
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
heav'nly Lord, that hath made heav'n and earth of
naught, and with His blood mankind hath bought.

Chorus: Noel, noel! Noel, noel! Born is the
King of Israel!

The Story of "The First Noel"


Although no Christmas season would be
complete without the melodious singing of this
tuneful carol, very little is known about its origin.
It is believed to have had its rise in France during
the fifteenth century. Noel is a French word
originating from Latin meaning "birthday." The song
is thought to have been brought across the channel
to England before 1823 by the wandering troubadours.
The carol under the English form, "Nowell," became
a great favorite for Christmas Eve, especially in the
west of England. This was when the entire village
gathered for singing and celebrating the bringing in
of the Yule log. At this time carols were thought of
as popular religious songs meant to be sung outside
the church rather than within.

"The First Noel" portrays in vivid narrative style the
story of the birth of Christ. All six stanzas are
needed to complete the entire event when the hymn
is sung. The sixth stanza urges us to join together
to sing praises to God for the marvels of His creation
and for the salvation provided through Christ's shed
blood. The repetition of the joyous "noel" in the refrain
is equivalent to our singing out "happy birthday" to someone.

It is interesting to observe that the "King of Israel" was
first announced to "certain poor shepherds" only, but in
the final stanza the phrases "let us all" and "mankind
hath brought" remind us that Christ came to redeem
the whole world.

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,
And stay by my side until morning is nigh.

Be near me Lord Jesus,
I ask thee to stay.
Close by me forever,
And love my I pray.

Bless all the dear children,
In thy tender care.
And take them to heaven,
To be with thee there.



The Story of "Away in a Manger"

In 1224, St. Francis of Assisi
was dealing with a dilemma. The
message of Christ's birth had
become so intellectual that it was
aloof and dogmatic. "It must be
simplified so that it might appeal
to the heart of the common people,
" he decided. Then a he had an idea.
"Why not dramatize the Christmas
story? The common folk will then be
able to better understand the meaning
of Christmas."

So he had a nativity scene and all
the trappings of a stable placed in his
church. On Christmas Eve, the people
came to the church, and saw Joseph,
Mary, and the precious baby Jesus.
The people were so excited! Christmas
had never seemed so real to them.

Since that time, the manger has become
one of the main symbols of Christmas.
One of the best known songs concerning
it is "Away in a Manger." This song was
generally referred to as "Luther's Cradle
Hymn." In 1887, the song was printed in
North America, with the heading,
"Composed by Martin Luther for his
children, and still sung by German
mothers to their little ones." The author
of the lyrics has never been verified, and
the source of the tune is still unknown.
Some say it may have been written by a
member of a German Lutheran colony
from Pennsylvania.