St. Francis of Assis is credited with presenting the first creche or nativity scene. Until William Tyndale, some 300 years later, translated the Bible into English, this graphic depiction of the Nativity story was an important way for the lay person (that’s you and me) to be able to visualize and understand the story of God taking on human form. These creche or Nativity scenes ranged from as simple as just Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus to vast dioramas that included the angels, shepherds, wise men, and even street scenes familiar to the worshipers coming to burn candles and pray.
In 1744, John Francis Wade wrote the Latin hymn Adeste Fideles, that we know as O, Come, All Ye Faithful. He referred to the account in Luke where the shepherds, after being visited by the multitude of angels said to one another, “’Let us go straight to Bethlehem, and see this [wonderful] thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph and the Baby as He lay in the manger.” (Luke 2:15b & 16 Amplified Reading Bible).
In our concert this year we have sung our way through a musical creche, starting with the plans before the foundation of the earth were laid when God chose us, through shouts of praise such as Joy to the World, to a modern day coupling of Christmas bells with the message of ‘Peace on earth, good will to me.’ As we put our music back in archival folders to wait until the next time we sing it, what is left for you? Do you, like me, hear a soft quiet “Come…adore!” repeating in your heart? Will you let that quiet whisper grow until its mezzo forte crescendo swells until all you hear is the command, “Come! Adore!!” As you join the choirs signing in adoration to Christ, the Lord, is He truly YOUR Lord? As you continue to ponder all of the magnificent, awe-inspiring, overwhelming Truths we have sung in our musical creche let this be the time when you reaffirm His Lordship over your heart, your mind, your soul and all of your strength. Come! Adore!!
O Come, All Ye Faithful
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him Born the King of Angels
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
God of God, Light of Light
Lo, He abhors not the Virgin’s womb
Very God, Begotten, not created
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, All glory in the highest
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning
Jesus, to Thee be glory given
Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!