LDS Hymn #213

Hymn #213 - The First Noel

This is possibly one of my most favorite Christmas hymns. It's up there with Away in a Manger for loving it simple for its tune. Sweet and pure, yet it also moves! Love those moving parts. First came to fully embrace this hymn when our 7th grade choir sang the version of this hymn combined with Pachelbel's Canon in D. I loved how well it fit with a classical song I loved. Later in college, my roommate (and the ward choir director) picked the Mack Wilberg arrangement. That is when I learned there were more than the 2 verses we see in our hymnbook, which simply tell the story of the angels. I fell in love with that 3rd verse. Got a copy of that song as soon as I could! (It's the one I have included as the video.) Because of that one verse, this hymn has stood out to me more each Christmas. Last year my choir sang another arrangement, but it still included the 3rd verse. I have had my ward choir sing the Wilberg arrangement. Any time I can have this song sung, I will do so.

From the history book
I knew "Noel" was a French word, but I didn't know that it was related to the Latin word natalis which means "birthday." She points out that the hymn is loved for its simplicity. Agreed. First printed in 1833, the hymn had nine verses! Three of those verses change the focus from the shepherds to the wise men. But my favorite is this one:

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
That hath made Heaven and earth of nought
And with his blood mankind has bought.

No information on who wrote the lyrics or the tune, but I am quite grateful they did so that I have this wonderful hymn to sing.

Lyrics

1. 1. 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.
2. (Chorus)
   Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel!
   Born is the King of Israel!
3. 2. 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.
4. Text and music: Traditional English carol, ca. 17th century

LDS Hymn #212

Hymn #212 - Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains

This is such a fun one to sing! The verses are short--basically one line. And then the really fun chorus with moving parts, especially that bass part! Kind of fun to play with the organ--though I haven't spent a lot of time attempting it. Easier on the piano for sure. But it is a fun one to sing in unison and then break out into those fun parts on the chorus.
Starts with the angels' part of the story, and then applies it to how we can join in the song, which then spreads this to the more worldwide joy, not just what took place on those plains with the shepherds.

Favorite lines: Pretty much the line for Verses 2, 3, and 4. Yep. Redeeming love. We too would rejoice. Help us to sing. Strains sublime. So beautiful! And joyful to sing!

From the history book
This is the one! I knew there was a Christmas hymn written by an LDS man. He wrote this in 1869 for his choir to sing, since he felt they needed a new hymn to sing. A friend wrote some text, but he could not get a tune to work. Then he woke in the middle of the night with the words and tune for this. The words were different from his friend's, but he wanted to give his friend the credit. The friend refused and let John take full credit. This is the only song that he wrote lyrics for, since composing was his talent. The tune is named after his wife. And it points out that there are no plains where the shepherds tended their flocks--they were hills. But it is excused for a man who had never been to that part of the world. He and his friend collaborated on other hymns, one of which is in our current hymnal.

Lyrics

1. 1. Far, far away on Judea's plains,
   Shepherds of old heard the joyous strains:
2. (Chorus)
   Glory to God, Glory to God,
   Glory to God in the highest;
   Peace on earth, goodwill to men;
   Peace on earth, goodwill to men!
3. 2. Sweet are these strains of redeeming love,
   Message of mercy from heav'n above:
4. 3. Lord, with the angels we too would rejoice;
   Help us to sing with the heart and voice:
5. 4. Hasten the time when, from ev'ry clime,
   Men shall unite in the strains sublime:
6. Text and music: John Menzies Macfarlane, 1833-1892

LDS Hymn #209

Hymn #209 - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

This is one of those exciting songs, rather than one of the slower ones. The joyous "Hallelujah" kind! In this song, you almost get to feel like the angels themselves singing and proclaiming the Savior's birth.

My favorite lines: "Light and life to all he brings" and "Born that man no more may die."

From the history book

The book mentions being part of the angel choir, too. The text was first published in 1739. Some wording changes made in hymnody. And two verses that didn't correspond to LDS beliefs were not included in our 1985 hymnal (which might make sense why there are only 2 and I felt it was a bit short!). I have heard one of those hymns in my version of the song by Linda Eder. Felix Mendelssohn's melody is the song that eventually was set to this hymn. He wrote it in honor of the 400th anniversary of the invention of printing and didn't thing the tune would ever serve as a musical setting for a sacred text. Thank goodness he wasn't right!

Lyrics

1. 1. Hark! the herald angels sing
   Glory to the newborn King!
   Peace on earth and mercy mild,
   God and sinners reconciled!
   Joyful, all ye nations, rise;
   Join the triumph of the skies;
   With th'angelic host proclaim
   Christ is born in Bethlehem!
2. (Chorus)
   Hark! the herald angels sing
   Glory to the newborn King!
3. 2. Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
   Hail the Son of Righteousness!
   Light and life to all he brings,
   Ris'n with healing in his wings.
   Mild he lays his glory by,
   Born that man no more may die;
   Born to raise the sons of earth,
   Born to give them second birth.
4. Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788
   Music: Felix Mendelssohn, 1809-1847

Gospel Message Day 220

Gifts of the Spirit, Part 6

Here are the next 3 on the list:

*Work Mighty Miracles

*Prophesy concerning all things

*Beholding of angels and ministering spirits

Well, all three seem pretty self-explanatory. I'm trying to think of examples either from my life or in the scriptures or Church History. In scriptures, I would say that Moses certainly worked mighty miracles. All those plagues. And parting the sea. But biggest of all--saving an entire people! I think he was able to accomplish these miracles because of faith and righteousness and obedience. I'm seeing a pattern here! The Lord will accomplish His work no matter what, but He needs His servants on earth to help bring it about. A slothful, whiny, un-dedicated servant is not going to get much done. But a focused, hard-working, faithful, obedient servant can bring about those miracles.

Prophets from all dispensations are given the gift to prophesy--because that is their role!

I think Joseph Smith was blessed with the 3rd gift. During his years of training as he was prepared to translate the Book of Mormon, he was visited by so many angels as part of that tutoring. And these visitations, visions, ministerings, etc continued for the rest of his life.

Some Great Thing - Part 2

"We have in the modern history of the Church contrasting examples of men who were highly favored of the Lord. One, Hyrum Smith, remained totally faithful and committed, even to the giving of his life, while the other, Oliver Cowdery, despite having witnessed 'some great things' in the history of the Restoration, became blinded by his personal ambition and lost his exalted place in the leadership of the Church.

". . . No one except the Prophet Joseph was more honored with the ministering of angels than Oliver Cowdery.

"But when the Prophet Joseph fell upon hard times, Oliver was critical of him and became estranged from him. . . .

". . . Even though Oliver came back, he lost his exalted place in the Church.

"In contrast, President Heber J. Grant said of Hyrum Smith: 'There is no better example of an older brother's love than that exhibited in the life of Hyrum Smith for the Prophet Joseph Smith. . . . They were as united and as affectionate and as loving as mortal men could be. . . . There never was one particle of . . . jealousy . . . in the heart of Hyrum Smith. No mortal man could have been more loyal, more true, more faithful in life or in death than was Hyrum Smith to the Prophet of the living God' ("Hyrum Smith and His Distinguished Posterity," Improvement Era, Aug. 1918, 854–55).

"He responded to every need and request from his younger brother, Joseph, who led the Church and received the revelations which we have today. Hyrum was steadfast day to day, month by month, year in and year out."

James E. Faust, "Some Great Thing," Ensign, Nov. 2001, 46–47

I love the word steadfast. It is so powerful and describes something we most need to be in the Gospel. Couple it with immovable and you catch a glimpse of the strong force of a mountain the Lord wants us to be as servants of Him.

This quote ties in quite well with the previous related post (both quotes coming from the same talk). But the point that stands out to me more is who stayed steadfast--with no jealousy, full of faith, giving all trust and support. Joseph's very own brother. His elder brother. Sadly too often the people we are most contentious with in this life are those of our own family. Those whom we should love more than any other. Jealousy has a stronger tendency to arise in familial relationships than in others. And yet Hyrum did not do such an un-Christlike thing.

O to be like Hyrum, and Sam, and the other brothers who loved their siblings and leaders with full devotion and whole purpose of heart!

What Our Eyes Cannot See

"In the gospel of Jesus Christ you have help from both sides of the veil, and you must never forget that. When disappointment and discouragement strike--and they will--you remember and never forget that if our eyes could be opened we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless speed to come to our protection (see 2 Kgs. 6:16-17). They will always be there, these armies of heaven, in defense of Abraham's seed."

Jeffrey R. Holland, "For Times of Trouble," BYU Speeches, 1980, 45

That is a very comforting and uplifting thought for me. It's a hard one to remember during the hard times. But when I can, it is so reassuring. I have decided that to help me in the future when I may need this remembrance, I have started now to make all scriptures with a reference to angels--that which we is there protecting us and helping us through. To hear more about this comforting truth (and another aspect of it), I highly recommend Elder Holland's recent General Conference talk:

"The Ministry of Angels," Ensign, November 2008, 29-31