The Road to Bethlehem – New Artists and Ancient Hymns

Merry Christmas Dear Reader,

My eldest Son mentioned this Christmas hymn recently juxtaposed to the song, A Christmas Song recorded by Jethro Tull.  I love both songs.  I think my favorite recording of the former is by Sufjan Stevens.

We forget that Jesus understands humility and lowliness.  We forget that we have modernized away who Jesus really is.  We do not ponder enough the lengths to which God goes to identify with our needs.   We do not put Jesus in his humanity with his deity.  We somehow need to bifurcate the two.

I use this season to dwell on the fact that God came to be with us.  He left all that was good to walk among us and be known to us.  He came to redeem us by letting us reject him.  He showed us the ultimate sacrifice of love. 

It all starts in that lowly cattle shed.  It saddens me to see what we have done with his gift.  We must be kind, loving, and generous.  We must be good to each other.  We must think of others above ourselves.  We must be more open, honest, real, and genuine.

The old songs speak a truth that we need to see.  Give this one an honest listen Dear Reader.

Once in Royal David’s City –  Sufjan Stevens

Once in royal David’s city,

Stood a lowly cattle shed,

Where a mother laid her Baby,

In a manger for His bed:

Mary was that mother mild,

Jesus Christ, her little Child.

He came down to earth from heaven,

Who is God and Lord of all,

And His shelter was a stable,

And His cradle was a stall:

With the poor, and mean, and lowly,

Lived on earth our Saviour holy.

For He is our childhood's pattern;

Day by day, like us, He grew;

He was little, weak, and helpless,

Tears and smiles, like us He knew;

And He cares when we are sad,

And he shares when we are glad.

And our eyes at last shall see Him,

Through His own redeeming love;

For that Child, so dear and gentle,

Is our Lord in heaven above:

And He leads His children on,

To the place where He is gone.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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