![]() He had a special interest in the Psalms, and actually published two volumes of The Complete Psalms, the 150 Psalms for singing: one in 1696 and another some six years later in 1702. He had something of a very sad end, and died as an alcoholic. He was born and studied in Trinity College at Dublin. The carol, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night, was written by an Irishman, Nahum Tate. And it's not those aspects so much, it's the faces of the shepherds it's the expressions on the faces of the shepherds–and if you have no idea what it is that I'm talking about, then if you have access to the internet, or you have a book on Rembrandt's paintings (maybe you had one yesterday for Christmas), just look up these paintings and just look at the wonderful way in which Rembrandt can catch the expressions of wonder and delight and awe on the faces of these shepherds. It's typically seventeenth century, of course: the dress that everybody is wearing is seventeenth century the barn in which the manger is to be found comes, I think, from at least Medieval Europe, if not fifteenth or sixteenth century Europe and there's a light, a glow, an incandescence which emerges from the manger–none of which, you understand, is true to the history of the birth of Jesus. There's another one of great fame by Titian, but it's not in London, it's in Florence in Italy, and I've never been there.īut this scene, the Rembrandt painting, especially, is one that touches me. And the two paintings come from the seventeenth century by Puissant and Rembrandt, and they’re very fine, fine paintings indeed. This is a little later in the story when the shepherds moved from the Judean hillside actually to Bethlehem to see for themselves the Baby Jesus lying in the manger. That's not the story we're looking at this morning. And I saw once again two of the most famous paintings of the Adoration of the Shepherds. This past summer I was in London by myself and being by myself I did what I often do when I'm in London by myself, and that is I visit the National Gallery. This morning's carol is While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night, by Nahum Tate. This past month we've been looking at the very familiar songs of Christmas, Christmas carols, and allowing them to be portals through which we may view once again these familiar narratives of the incarnation, the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 222 or 223 we've just sung it in the version to the tune of 223, but we’ll be singing it in the version of 222 at the close of our service. Now, as well as having that portion of Scripture open before you, you may also want to have the hymn, the carol, No. May God bless to us the reading of His holy and inerrant word. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’”Īmen. And this shall be a sign unto you: ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ![]() For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And the angel said unto them, “Fear not for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ![]() And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. ![]() Amen.Turn with me now to the Gospel of Luke, and the second chapter, and we’ll read once again the familiar words of the Nativity story as we find it in Luke's Gospel, beginning at verse eight. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Farewell and Peaceġ2 By ( P)Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying ( Q)that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.ġ3 She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you and so does ( R)Mark my son. 11 ( O)To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. 10 But may the God of all grace, ( N)who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.Ĩ Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
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