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