Christmas Eve - It Came Upon The Midnight Clear

"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.' When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 'In Bethlehem in Judea' they replied, 'for this is what the prophet has written:

But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 'Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.' After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with this mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route." Matthew 2: 1 - 12

Stars are amazing - I'm sure we have all spent hours looking at the night sky in search of the "Little Dipper", "Big Dipper" and the "North Star." I have only seen the "Aurora Borealis" (northern lights) once in my life, many years ago and that memory has stuck with me for these many years - I still get chills just thinking about that magnificent display. Just imagine what it must have been like to see the Star of Bethlehem - so marvelous and glorious that it guided the three wisemen to Jesus.

My Bible Commentary states that since these verses talk about Jesus the "child" as opposed to Jesus the "baby" - this suggests that the Magi visited Jesus many months after his birth. How impressive that the Magi - who were educated and wealthy - knew that Jesus was the Messiah and even money couldn't buy what Jesus brought. Of course I am talking about SALVATION.

What a wondrous gift we have in Jesus - God's only Son, who was born and who died for our sins so that we might have everlasting life! Merry CHRISTmas!

Now turn with me to number 101 in your hymnals and let's sing:

It Came Upon The Midnight Clear

by Edmond H. Sears, 1810-1876                       composed by Richard S. Willis, 1819-1900

1.  It cam upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth, To touch their harps of gold:  "Peace on the earth, good will to men, From heaven's all gracious King."  The world in solemn stillness lay, To hear the angels sing.

2.Still thro' the cloven skies they come, With peaceful wings unfurled, And still their heavenly music floats O'er all the weary world:  Above its sad and lowly plains They bend on hovering wing.  And ever o'er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing.

3.  And ye, beneath life's crushing load, Whose forms are bending low, Who toil along the climbing way With painful steps and slow, Look Now!  for glad and golden hours Come swiftly on the wing:  O rest beside the weary road, And hear the angels sing!

4.  For lo!  the days are hastening on, By prophet bards foretold.  When with the ever circling years Comes round the age of gold;  When peace shall over all the earth Its ancient splendors fling, And the whole world send back the song Which now the angels sing.

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Please listen to the video below - Bing Crosby's fantastic voice is perfect for this beautiful Christmas Hymn.



A special thanks to "Richard S Willis - Topic" for posting this song on YouTube

Other Christmas Hymns on this blog:
O Come All Ye Faithful
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Away In A Manger
The First Noel
Joy To The World