Wonderful Kristen! As a fellow CRC refugee and pastor (we are both being pushed out of the CRC for defending same-sex marriage), I love the way you have captured the best of our tradition in this old carol. It also reminds me of Mary’s Magnificat where she see’s the birth of her child as a sign that God has “brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.” Christianity is not a faith that comforts the powerful; it’s a faith that celebrates the power of love.
A contemporary Advent hymn, Canticle of the Turning, which is a paraphrase of the Magnificat. “Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast. God’s mercy must deliver us from the conqueror’s crushing grasp.”
I can recommend reading or hearing the whole thing! YouTube will have it.
It's thirty-some years old now, but I've only known it a couple years, from working at my present church with an old friend of its author Rory Cooney, who wrote it to fit the tune of "The Star of the County Down" (!!)
I’ll be looking for the hymn when I visit my CRC in-laws.
Michael Eric Dyson phrases the two paths you are describing like this: “Nationalism is the uncritical celebration of one's nation regardless of its moral or political virtue.... Nationalism is the belief that no matter what one's country does--whether racist, homophobic, sexist, xenophobic, or the like--it must be supported and accepted entirely.
Patriotism is a bigger, more uplifting virtue. Patriotism is the belief in the best values of one's country, and the pursuit of the best means to realize those values. If the nation strays, then it must be corrected."
As one who came into the CRC as an adult, I had never before heard what is now certainly my favourite Christmas carol. I learned it from that gray Psalter Hymnal — “Come and Stand Amazed, You People” — same as yours, Kristin. When I have shared it on social media at Christmas time, my Christian friends who have never sung it are “gobsmacked” by the richness of its reflections on the wonder of the incarnation.
Beautifully said! As we approach Christmas and 2025, I sense we will be experiencing a different sort of call in the future. Thank you for being a clear voice to the challenge ahead for Christians in this time. There are days when I feel like you and the other team members of Convocation Unscripted are a solitary voice in the wilderness. I stand with you all as we move forward. May the mysterious love and wonderful grace of Christ bless your holiday season!
Excellent thought provoking reflection. A hymn like this opens up the depths of the Gospel, if we care to hear it. I have often wondered how Christians and churches should respond to other churches and Christians when they become caught up in a twisting and deadly ideology, and use their faith to justify the pursuit of the ideological goal. A hymn such as this reminds us of the way of truth, justice and peace. Thanks for sharing. I hope the CRC is willing to hear it, today.
In another paradox, my two favorite Christmas hymns are "Joy to the World" based on Psalm 98 and the more pensive "Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silence". Both of them take us beyond glitter and sentimentality to the ushering in of a new order through the Savior born in Bethlehem.
I have fond memories of the old Christmas songs from my Vatican 2 catholic upbringing. The ones like "O Holy Night" preserve some of the mystery of it all, and hint at Jesus's birth being good news and hope for all, not just a subset us who believe the right way.
But for the last 5 years I have listened to "advent music" all year round - it just seems appropriate! My fav is "Come thou long expected Jesus" - which was sung (in F of course!) at COS a few Sundays back when I met Randy there. :)
I’m so glad you made it to COS! The mystery of it, yes. The story, and the faith, have been controlled and commodified so much, the mystery can be lost. And the humility it brings.
I’ve fallen in love with some Dutch songs and hymns - from Sela, and the Mannenkoor Soli Deo Gloria (Urk) - having found them by ‘accident’! Lots available on YouTube. Christmas blessings!
Hello Kristen, I am one of many Canadians who "studied" at Dordt in the mid 70"s and had Theology 101 under your Dad. I love many of the same old hymns that are posted here but also love the Stuart Townend, Immanuel, From the Squalor of a Borrowed Stable. Love the words, the gift of God with Us.
I read the hymn and heard it in my mind to the Claude Goudimel tune to "Comfort, comfort ye my people" in the Episcopal usage. It would work! (Then listened to the YouTube.)
Not surprised the lyrics derived from the Catholic minority. One of my traditions is the Catholic Worker and these fit perfectly..
Thank you so much for your wisdom and courage in your work. Blessings to all in the season of incarnation.
I'm grateful to have found you and your fellow Convocation friends. I'm hoping you and God continue to help us make sense of our country and American Christians. Regarding Christmas carols, one of my earliest memories was as a young Mexican immigrant in second grade in a California school. The elementary school band and choir did the Little Drummer Boy as part of the program. I had only begun to learn English in 1st grade the year before. I can almost feel the chills that I felt as they sung that particular song. More recently, listening to Al Green sing O Holy Night, I was struck by the phrase, "Long lay the world in sin and error pining,'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth." My prayer is that the church can lay down its pride and it's nationalism to once again reflect the character of the One who can present so much hope that lost souls will once again feel their worth.
Wonderful Kristen! As a fellow CRC refugee and pastor (we are both being pushed out of the CRC for defending same-sex marriage), I love the way you have captured the best of our tradition in this old carol. It also reminds me of Mary’s Magnificat where she see’s the birth of her child as a sign that God has “brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.” Christianity is not a faith that comforts the powerful; it’s a faith that celebrates the power of love.
Yes! I thought about adding the Magnificat to this reflection too.
I don’t know if I have a favorite but I was struck by this verse of Oh Holy Night recently...
“Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy name
Christ is the Lord, oh praise His name forever
His power and glory, evermore proclaim
His power and glory, evermore proclaim”
If only Christians were serious about digesting the words they sing -- or any of the words they proclaim... the world would be a far better place.
A contemporary Advent hymn, Canticle of the Turning, which is a paraphrase of the Magnificat. “Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast. God’s mercy must deliver us from the conqueror’s crushing grasp.”
Beautiful!
I can recommend reading or hearing the whole thing! YouTube will have it.
It's thirty-some years old now, but I've only known it a couple years, from working at my present church with an old friend of its author Rory Cooney, who wrote it to fit the tune of "The Star of the County Down" (!!)
I’ll be looking for the hymn when I visit my CRC in-laws.
Michael Eric Dyson phrases the two paths you are describing like this: “Nationalism is the uncritical celebration of one's nation regardless of its moral or political virtue.... Nationalism is the belief that no matter what one's country does--whether racist, homophobic, sexist, xenophobic, or the like--it must be supported and accepted entirely.
Patriotism is a bigger, more uplifting virtue. Patriotism is the belief in the best values of one's country, and the pursuit of the best means to realize those values. If the nation strays, then it must be corrected."
Michael Eric Dyson, Tears We Cannot Stop, pg 116.
Thank you for this explanation. Patriotism has always been highly valued by myself. I have struggled with the difference between it and nationalism.
My favorite is the fourth verse of O Little Town of Bethlehem, which we often say as our family Christmas grace:
O Holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray.
Cast out our sin and enter in, Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great tidings tell,
O Come to us, Abide in us, Our Lord Emmanuel.
What a beautiful song. Rich and evocative words.
Thank you for your encouraging post. The news is overwhelming.
My favorite song is by Chris Rice, called Welcome to Our World.
Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born
I hope you have a wonderful holiday season with you family.
I too love Chris Rice’s beautiful song. He’s an amazing poet singer.
As one who came into the CRC as an adult, I had never before heard what is now certainly my favourite Christmas carol. I learned it from that gray Psalter Hymnal — “Come and Stand Amazed, You People” — same as yours, Kristin. When I have shared it on social media at Christmas time, my Christian friends who have never sung it are “gobsmacked” by the richness of its reflections on the wonder of the incarnation.
Beautifully said! As we approach Christmas and 2025, I sense we will be experiencing a different sort of call in the future. Thank you for being a clear voice to the challenge ahead for Christians in this time. There are days when I feel like you and the other team members of Convocation Unscripted are a solitary voice in the wilderness. I stand with you all as we move forward. May the mysterious love and wonderful grace of Christ bless your holiday season!
Excellent thought provoking reflection. A hymn like this opens up the depths of the Gospel, if we care to hear it. I have often wondered how Christians and churches should respond to other churches and Christians when they become caught up in a twisting and deadly ideology, and use their faith to justify the pursuit of the ideological goal. A hymn such as this reminds us of the way of truth, justice and peace. Thanks for sharing. I hope the CRC is willing to hear it, today.
In another paradox, my two favorite Christmas hymns are "Joy to the World" based on Psalm 98 and the more pensive "Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silence". Both of them take us beyond glitter and sentimentality to the ushering in of a new order through the Savior born in Bethlehem.
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence is my other favorite Christmas song!!
Thank you, Kristin, for sharing how this hymn continues to inspire you. You continue to inspire me.
I have fond memories of the old Christmas songs from my Vatican 2 catholic upbringing. The ones like "O Holy Night" preserve some of the mystery of it all, and hint at Jesus's birth being good news and hope for all, not just a subset us who believe the right way.
But for the last 5 years I have listened to "advent music" all year round - it just seems appropriate! My fav is "Come thou long expected Jesus" - which was sung (in F of course!) at COS a few Sundays back when I met Randy there. :)
I’m so glad you made it to COS! The mystery of it, yes. The story, and the faith, have been controlled and commodified so much, the mystery can be lost. And the humility it brings.
Here’s a version in the original Dutch. Wonderful themes. https://youtu.be/PHPbZLtZHBQ?si=OA1urOLfa5YmINSn
Thank you for sharing!
I’ve fallen in love with some Dutch songs and hymns - from Sela, and the Mannenkoor Soli Deo Gloria (Urk) - having found them by ‘accident’! Lots available on YouTube. Christmas blessings!
Hello Kristen, I am one of many Canadians who "studied" at Dordt in the mid 70"s and had Theology 101 under your Dad. I love many of the same old hymns that are posted here but also love the Stuart Townend, Immanuel, From the Squalor of a Borrowed Stable. Love the words, the gift of God with Us.
I read the hymn and heard it in my mind to the Claude Goudimel tune to "Comfort, comfort ye my people" in the Episcopal usage. It would work! (Then listened to the YouTube.)
Not surprised the lyrics derived from the Catholic minority. One of my traditions is the Catholic Worker and these fit perfectly..
Thank you so much for your wisdom and courage in your work. Blessings to all in the season of incarnation.
I'm grateful to have found you and your fellow Convocation friends. I'm hoping you and God continue to help us make sense of our country and American Christians. Regarding Christmas carols, one of my earliest memories was as a young Mexican immigrant in second grade in a California school. The elementary school band and choir did the Little Drummer Boy as part of the program. I had only begun to learn English in 1st grade the year before. I can almost feel the chills that I felt as they sung that particular song. More recently, listening to Al Green sing O Holy Night, I was struck by the phrase, "Long lay the world in sin and error pining,'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth." My prayer is that the church can lay down its pride and it's nationalism to once again reflect the character of the One who can present so much hope that lost souls will once again feel their worth.
Beautiful.