Recently, I changed the tool I use to guide my personal worship times. I'm using a book right now that includes a song lyric to consider each week. And I'm loving it.
I am such a musically driven person, that often, the lyrics of a song get lost in the melody, rhythm or style. Pulling those things away allows me to focus on the words. I also find that removing the poetic devices to simply read statements further helps drive things home.
This week, I've been contemplating "O Little Town of Bethlehem". Here's what it looks like the way I'm reflecting on it.
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie. Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love. O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth. And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth.
How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given! So, God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven. No ear may his His coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray. Cast out our sin and enter in. Be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels. The great glad tidings tell. O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.
1 comment:
This is pretty cool. But I find it terribly hard not to sing the song in my head as I read the words...trying to read the prose as prose and not "song lyrics".
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