Lyr Add: interesting solstice/Christian song

Subject: interesting solstice/Christian song
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 19 Dec 00 - 11:00 PM

Here are some verses of a hymn from the "Service Book and Hymnal of the Lutheran Church in America" (1958) It is interesting how it combines references to the return of the sun with the coming of Christ. The words are by Laurentius Laurenti, 1660-1722. I guess he was Swedish, because the melody is a Swedish folk tune.

Rejoice, all ye believers, and let your lights appear
The evening is advancing and darker night is near
The Bridegroom is arising, and soon he draweth nigh
Up, pray, and watch and wrestle, at midnight comes the cry!

The watchers on the mountain proclaim the Bridegroom near
Go meet him as he cometh with hallelujahs clear
The marriage feast is waiting, the gates wide open stand
Up, up,ye heirs of glory, the Bridegroom is at hand!

Our hope and expectation, O Jesus, now appear
Arise, thou Sun so longed for o'er this benighted sphere
With hearts and hands uplifted, we plead O Lord, to see
The day of earth's redemption that brings us unto thee!

(Before anybody gets sarcastic, yes,I know that the reference to a Bridegroom is to the parable of the wise and foolish virgins.)

Anyway, if you are having a solstice party, you can set this to a little march tune and use it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: interesting solstice/Christian song
From: MMario
Date: 20 Dec 00 - 08:36 AM

the bridegroom reference is also to the analogy that the "Church" is the "bride" of Christ, therefore making Christ the bridegroom.

The parallel between the coming of Christ and the return of the sun at the winter solstice is of long standing.(Obviously so, as here it appears in lyrics that are nearly 300 years old) It is one of the reasons that celebrating the birth of Christ near the Solstice is logical, even tho there were other more political considerations for placing the celebration then as well.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: interesting solstice/Christian song
From: NightWing
Date: 20 Dec 00 - 05:02 PM

Actually the most logical parallel would've been to have set the birth of the Carpenter to the pagan celebration of the birth of the Dying God (e.g. John Barleycorn?): in some traditions called Litha and usually set at February 1 (or thereabouts, midway between the Solstice and the Vernal Equinox).

But the political gain of making the BIG pagan holy day be the big Xian one made more sense finally.

Unless I'm mistaken, Biblical scholars claim that the historical Jesus was probably born in March or April? Assuming the description in Matthew is historical?

BB,
NightWing

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: interesting solstice/Christian song
From: Burke
Date: 20 Dec 00 - 05:08 PM

I think it's the Lukan account of the Shepherds keeping watch on their flocks in the middle of the night that puts it in the spring. Has to do with being lambing season, IIRC.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: interesting solstice/Christian song
From: MMario
Date: 20 Dec 00 - 05:31 PM

Christian scholars have at one time or another claimed the nativity in every month of the year. However the majority opinion settled on 25 december - (right or wrong) somewhere back around the year 400. Modern scholastic studies show this to be impossible (because the entire calculations depend on a traditional date of crucifixion that is known to be incorrect.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: interesting solstice/Christian song
From: Genie
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 10:29 PM

refreshing for the 2002 solstice

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: interesting solstice/Christian song
From: allanwill
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 08:42 AM

This is sort of relevant.

Allan