Music Spotlight! (Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021)
Pianist Allister Banasiak has chosen an arrangement of "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen for our prelude today. The adapted lyrics, written by the band Cloverton, recounts the Christmas narrative--from birth to the cross.
The original song refers to 2 Samuel 11-12, where King David lies with another man's wife--Bathsheba, who becomes pregnant--and then tries to hide his sin by having the husband killed. It's a gritty tale of real-life mistakes, consequences, and mercies. In Cohen's version, the roles have been reversed. Bathsheba is the main actor, while everything happens to a passive David. "David’s experiences, according to Cohen’s song, were marked by various kinds of 'hallelujahs'—some cold, some broken, some holy—a nontraditional way of understanding praise." [Source]
Because of our sin, like David, we know that we deserve to die. But God loves us so much that He was willing to die for us. God sent his only son--in the form of a helpless baby born in a "mean estate"--to live out this sacrifice for us.
Within the context of Cohen's lyrics and the melody's popularity among artists over the last four decades, Cloverton reimagines the meaning of "hallelujah" in the Christmas narrative. As you listen to the prelude, put yourself in the shoes of each character. What might they have felt upon witnessing this miracle? What does "hallelujah" mean for you in this season?
I've heard about this baby boy
Who's come to earth to bring us joy
And I just want to sing this song to you
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
With every breath I'm singing Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
A couple came to Bethlehem
Expecting child, they searched the inn
To find a place, for You were coming soon
There was no room for them to stay
So in a manger filled with hay
God's only Son was born, oh Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
The shepherds left their flocks by night
To see this baby wrapped in light
A host of angels led them all to You
It was just as the angels said
You'll find Him in a manger bed
Immanuel and Savior, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
A star shown bright up in the east
To Bethlehem, the Wise Men three
Came many miles and journeyed long for You
And to the place at which You were
Their frankincense and gold and myrrh
They gave to You and cried out Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
I know You came to rescue me
This baby boy would grow to be
A man and one day die for me and you
My sins would drive the nails in You
That rugged cross was my cross, too
Still every breath You drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
To wrap up our Advent sermon series, "The Colors of Christmas," the choir will sing John Rutter's anthem by the same name during the offertory. Recall the lessons we have heard over the past month on red, green, gold, and blue. Today we will hear a sermon centered around the color brown and, on Christmas Eve, white.
Green for the ivy that's grow by the wall
White for the mistletoe that hangs in the hall
Red for the berries that shine in the snow
Orange and yellow for mornings first glow
These are the colours of Christmas
Let them shine all over the earth
These are the colours of happiness
The joy of a new baby's birth
Blue for the robe of his mother so mild
Gold for the precious gift they brought to the child
Silver the starlight to shine through your sleep
And a rainbow for all the sweet dreams you will keep
These are the colours of Christmas
Let them shine all over the earth
These are the colours of happiness
The joy of a new baby's birth
Comments
Post a Comment