Advent 2024: Tue 17 Dec
Tell it as it was
Some of our Christmas carols tell straight stories. They take the stories from Matthew’s and Luke’s Gospels and reshape them into verse. There is a long tradition of turning the Psalms into metrical verse form (All people that on earth do dwell, for instance).
Decide for yourself how well the following Bible verses are transformed by the 18th century poet Nahum Tate:
Luke chapter 2
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
all seated on the ground,
the angel of the Lord came down
and glory shone around.
and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
'Fear not,' said he – for mighty dread
had seized their troubled mind –
'Glad tidings of great joy I bring
to you and all mankind:
11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you:
'To you in David's town this day
is born of David's line
a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be the sign:
You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
'The heavenly babe you there shall find
to human view displayed,
all meanly wrapped in swathing bands
and in a manger laid.'
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
Thus spoke the seraph, and forthwith
appeared a shining throng
of angels praising God, who thus
addressed their joyful song:
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”
'All glory be to God on high,
and to the earth be peace;
goodwill henceforth from highest heaven
begin and never cease!'
I’m not as impressed by the words to The First Nowell. I think it’s to do partly with the repetitive chorus and partly the tune that swoops up and down like a yo-yo. The carol starts with a verse about the shepherds and the angels. After a second verse that mentions the star appearing to the shepherds we continue for the remaining verses with the story of the magi. It feels a bit lopsided to me. You may love it, of course.
This carol tells a story with some rather lovely imagery included. Take a moment to read the story from Luke’s Gospel, and then compare with this carol:
1 The Angel Gabriel from heaven came,
his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;
'All hail,' said he, 'thou lowly maiden Mary,
most highly favoured lady.' Gloria!
2 'For known a blessèd Mother thou shalt be,
all generations laud and honour thee,
thy son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold;
most highly favoured lady.' Gloria!
3 Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,
'To me be as it pleaseth God,' she said,
'My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name':
most highly favoured lady.' Gloria!
4 Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ was born
in Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn,
and Christian folk throughout the world will ever say
most highly favoured lady.' Gloria!
Paul