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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1978-12-20, Page 67 f. --•T Irdc w Suedbiel, Wedge (r, December 20, 1978 REETI NG Hoping your holidays will he bright with the light of Christmas. Sincere appreciation BEATTY'S BEAUTY SHOP Ate' 0 ) We're teaming up with Santa to bring o you a host of happy holiday dreams tome true... and our thanks. "When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His son, made of a woman, made under the law" In Galatians 4:4 we read, "When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His son, made of a woman, made under the law." Thus, according to the Word of God, the coming of Christ into the world and His lowly birth of the Virgin were pre -arranged even to the setting of the very hour. This indicates that in God's great program of redemption there is neither confusion or chance, but perfect order and plan. God is never ahead of His program, and surely never behind. As the first coming of our Lord was according to God's prearranged plan, .even so His second coming to earth will be according to His own set time. The Church's social schemes are not going to hasten the coming of His glorious kingdom. The world's rejection of His program is not going to delay His return, "For yet.a little while, and He that shall come, will come, and will not tarry" . (Heb. 10:37). Christ's first coming into the world brought light to the lost, life to the perishing,comfort to those that mourned and joy to thosewho waited in hope, but alas, only sorrow and darkness to the many who rejected Him not. The tragic record of the overthrow of Jerusalem, with the destruction of the beautiful Temple and the scattering of Israel in unbelief among the nations, was but the aftermath of the nation's sad rejection of Jesus, their Messiah. There are many signs today that indicate the near approach of His Second Advent on earth. That advent will mean joy and glory to those that look for that "blessed hope," but sadness and wailing to those who have rejected His claims and refused His grace. Today we look in vain for anything hopeful among the many schemes of the nations for world peace. Our soon -returning Lord alone can establish peace. Furthermore, abiding peace and lasting joy can come only to every individual sinner by acknowledging Hi as Saviour and crowning Him as Lord of all. Is the Christ of Christmas yours? .� 1 .. - "Our Warmest Christian Greetings" ELMM and JOHN Elmer Umbach Discount Pharmacy First Christmas Carols sung around Maypole The first carols were dance songs, or ring songs, sung by villagers around a Maypole, or to celebrate other festive occasions throughout the year, during the Middle Ages. Later they became more exclusively associated with Christmas. The word "carol" derives from the Greek and Latin work "Choraules" meaning "chorus". The phrase, "Christmas Carols" first appeared during the 16th century in England in little ,songbooks printed by Wynken de Worde and Richard Kele. DANCE CAROLS - Best examples of these rounds or ring dances are still to be found in Sweden, where people dance around the tree singing maty rollicking songs. Elsewhere, dance carols are merely sung, although niany... of the tunes - are . known _. to inspire _. dancing feet: SHEPHERD CAROLS, of and about the shepherds to whom the angels appeared, and their coming to the stable with humble gifts are the most human and appealing accounts of Christ's birth. They were sung to accompany -the vivid portrayals of this scene in the medieval "mystery" plays, which were common in England as well as all other European countries. Best known today is the traditional English carol, "While Shepherds Watched". LULLABY CAROLS. were among the earliest Christmas ,songs and like all cradle songs -have a rocking, lilting -rhythm and a simple melody. "Cradle rocking" carols or "Kindelwiegen" were .a part of the church ritual in Germany and Austria. A good example of this type of carol is the 16th century English carol, "What Child Is this?" .which' was sung to the 16th century dance tune, "Greensleeves". Another is the 19th century American anonymous carol, "Away In A Manger". One of the most beautiful of all lullaby carols is the "Coventry Carol'', which was a part of one of the English medieval "mysteries". It is sung by a group of women, portraying Bethlehem mothers just before Herod's soldiers slaughter their babies. CAROLS OF THE MAGI - The arrival of the Magi with precious gifts for the Christ Child is the most picturesque and colourful part of all. 'Christmas 'pageants: The Magi Songs all tell this rich, spiritual story. Among the most familiar of these to Americans is "We Three Kings", the words and music for which were written by John Henry Hopkins Jr., in the 19th century. NATIVITY CAROLS - There are many varieties of these. The first hymns in honour of the Nativity were written in Latin during the Sth century, when Christmas was fully established as one of the great church feasts. It was not until the 13th century, when St. Francis of Assisi inspired his friends to write in their native tongue, that Nativity Songs were written for the people to sing. From Italy, these Nativity Songs spread through- out all Europe. Two of the most familiar of these to us are: "Joy TETh'e World", written by Isaac Watts in the 17th century and the 18th century German "Stille Nacht" (Silent Night) by Joseph Mohr. The original musical called for a guitar accompaniment. LEGENDARY CAROLS spring from the folklore of people throughout the world inspired by superstitions and pre -Christian beliefs. One .thing . theyhavein. common is. that they all tell a story. Most well known of these is the traditional English " I Saw Three Ships", "The Boar's Head Carol" both from the Middle Ages, the latter of which is still sung at Christmas dinner at. Queens College,. Oxford, as the boar's head is ceremoniously brought in. "Good King Wenceslas", written by J. M. Neale in the 19th century is about a fervent Christian Duke of Bohemia. CAROLS OF CUSTOM deal with pre - Christmas customs that have become attached to Christmas celebrations. For example, _ ..the ...yule log and mistletoe . of England go back to the Druids. Decking the halls with boughs of holly and evergreen come from the. - Hebrews, Egyptians, Romans and other ancient peoples, for whom the evergreens were symbolic of life triumphant over death. The wreath came originally from the ivy crown worn by Romans in Bacchanalian festivals. "Was- sail'.' was the Anglo-Saxon drinking pledge, "Waes-Hael" which means "Be in health." and which was part of Early' Saxon feasts. "0 Tannenbaum" (0 Christmas Tree) the traditional German carolgoes back to the early days of wandering tribes, who would always leave a grove of trees in the middle of the land they cleared. CAROLS FOR TNF TWELVE DAYS - During the 6thcentury, the 12 days from Nativity to Epiphany were declared a festive season, celebrated in medieval England by many gay customs including, jousts; ban- quets, caroling and "mumming", which originally was a sort of pantomime dance performed by masked and costumed groups. Best known of these carols are the traditional English "God Rest Ye Merry", and "The Twelve Days of Christmas", which is based on an old French rhyme and chant. eRR9 Iha1s and ) Xrial!O mas, Joe and Dean Agnew SCHMID'S JEWELLRY and CHINA •