Monday – December 12, 2022

Melodic Mondays

Those of you who know me know that I love music even though I am not musical myself. I listen to good music as often as I can. It is beneficial to the brain, valuable to the vocabulary, and strengthening to the soul. Isaiah 12:2-3 is a lovely passage that includes this soaring statement of surety: “The Lord JEHOVAH [YAHWEH] is my strength and my song.” This could be translated, “God is my mountaintop and my music.” Yes, He is! Each Monday, I want to study this subject and suggest a song to listen to. Anyone reading this devotional has easy access to any song. (I am an exception because I do not go on a computer or other information device.) If you do not like my suggestion (and we all have different tastes), you can think of or search for one that speaks to you. Then, it can become a source of encouragement throughout the week.

Most of us are familiar with the story behind “Silent Night! Holy Night!” In Oberndorf, Austria, in 1818, the pastor, Josef Mohr, walked to a hill overlooking this small village, was struck by its stillness and serenity, and began formulating the words in his head. The church organist, Franz Gruber, put the words to music. Because the church organ was broken, Gruber played the guitar as the small congregation sang this new hymn on Christmas Eve. The version by the Oak Ridge Boys includes a Scripture reading. The rendition by the Marshall Tucker Band includes a saxophone, making it unique. We have also attached a different translation and song from the original German; it provides an interesting comparison.

1 Still the night, holy the night!
Sleeps the world; hid from sight,
Mary and Joseph in stable bare
watch o’er the child belovèd and fair,
sleeping in heavenly rest,
sleeping in heavenly rest.

2 Still the night, holy the night!
Shepherds first saw the light,
heard resounding clear and long,
far and near, the angel-song,
‘Christ the Redeemer is here!’
‘Christ the Redeemer is here!’

3 Still the night, holy the night!
Son of God, O how bright
love is smiling from thy face!
Strikes for us now the hour of grace,
Saviour, since thou art born!
Saviour, since thou art born!