Day 285 | Tuesday, 29 December 2020

Day 285 - Audio Version

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Day 285 | Tuesday, 29 December 2020

 COVID update.  As of 12/28 at 3:00PM the number of cases in the county has risen to 3,415 with 399 active and 1,926 in isolation.  The cases in the following areas are: 14701 – 898; Dunkirk – 525; Fredonia – 469; Lakewood – 131; Bemus – 115 and Frewsburg – 129. Total deaths are now at 29.

 As we continue our journey through Christmastide, I want to share a couple more less familiar Christmastide hymns.  As you read through these verses, listen to the story being told. 

The first hymn is “The Friendly Beasts” 12th century French Carol; translation anon. (Luke 2:7)

 1.   “Jesus, our brother, strong and good, was humbly born in a stable rude, and the friendly beasts around him stood, Jesus, our brother, strong and good.”

2.   “I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown, “I carried his mother uphill and down, I carried his mother to Bethlehem town; I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown.”

3.   “I,” said the cow, all white and red, “I gave him my manger for his bed, I gave him hay to pillow his head; I,” said the cow, all white and red.”

4.   “I,” said the sheep with curly horn, “I gave him my wool for his blanket warm, he wore my coat on Christmas morn; I,” said the sheep with curly horn.”

5.   “I,” said the dove, from the rafters high, “I cooed him to sleep that he should not cry, we cooed him to sleep, my mate and I; I,” said the dove, from the rafters high.”

6.   Thus all the beasts, by some good spell, in the stable dark were glad to tell of the gifts they gave Emmanuel. The gifts they gave Emmanuel.”


 The next hymn is “That Boy-Child of Mary” words: Tom Colvin, 1969 (Luke 2:7)

 Refrain: “That boy-child of Mary was born in a stable, a manger his cradle in Bethlehem.”

1.   “What shall we call him, child of the manger?  What name is given in Bethlehem?”
Refrain: “That boy-child of Mary was born in a stable, a manger his cradle in Bethlehem.”

2.   “His name is Jesus, God ever with us, God given for us in Bethlehem.”                Refrain: “That boy-child of Mary was born in a stable, a manger his cradle in Bethlehem.”

3.   “How can he save us, how can he help us, born here among us in Bethlehem?” Refrain: “That boy-child of Mary was born in a stable, a manger his cradle in Bethlehem.”

4.   “Gift of the Father, to human mother, makes him our brother of Bethlehem.” Refrain: “That boy-child of Mary was born in a stable, a manger his cradle in Bethlehem.”

5.   “One with the Father, he is our Savior, heaven-sent helper of Bethlehem.”  Refrain: “That boy-child of Mary was born in a stable, a manger his cradle in Bethlehem.”

6.   “Gladly we praise him, Love and adore him, give ourselves to him of Bethlehem.”
Refrain: “That boy-child of Mary was born in a stable, a manger his cradle in Bethlehem.”

 Gracious gift giving God, we are still in awe of your gift of your Son to us so long ago.  We especially celebrate your gift during this season as we share gifts of love with one another.  We are thankful for the animals who were in the stable that night and for their gifts as reflected in the hymn.  Bless this child of Bethlehem who is our Savior.  Lord, receive our gifts and hear our prayers.  Amen.