A happy, holy and blessed Christmas to you all

 

As we enter upon this Christmas feast, we remember Him who is the reason for the season.  May His grace be with you all, and bless you in the year ahead.

To acknowledge this holy night, here's the Taverner Consort performing "Methinks I see a heavenly host" by the early American composer William Billings, published in his collection "The Suffolk Harmony" in 1786.  Because the words aren't always clear, I've provided the lyrics below the embedded video.

Methinks I see an Heav'nly Host

of Angels on the Wing;

Methinks I hear their cheerful Notes,

So merrily they sing.

Let all your Fears be banish'd Hence,

Glad tidings I proclaim,

For there's a Savior born today,

And Jesus is His Name.

Lay down your Crooks, and quit your Flocks,
To Bethlehem repair;
And let your wand’ring Steps be squar’d
By yonder shining Star.

Seek not in Courts or Palaces,
Nor Royal Curtains draw;
But search the Stable, see your God
Extended on the Straw.

Then learn from hence, ye rural Swains,
The Meekness of your God,
Who left the boundless Realms of Joy,
To Ransom you with Blood.

The Master of the Inn refus’d
A more commodius Place;
Ungenerous Soul of savage Mould,
And destitute of Grace.

Exult ye Oxen, low for Joy,
Ye Tenants of the Stall,
Pay your Obeisance; on your Knees
Unanimously fall.

The Royal Guest you entertain
Is not of common Birth,
But second to the Great I Am;
The God of Heav’n and Earth.

Then suddenly a Heav’nly Host
Around the Shepherds throng,
Exulting in the threefold God
And thus address their Song.

To God the Father, Christ the Son,
And Holy Ghost ador’d;
The First and Last, the Last and First,
Eternal Praise afford.

Peter