Singing in a Different Language

Once again, we find ourselves in the joy of singing the beloved Christmas and Advent hymns during worship. I also find myself grinning in child-like humor as I chuckle as we sometimes struggle to properly pronounce some of the words in those hymns.

We struggle because some of those words are either in French or Latin. One hymn is obvious as the French word is in the title of “The First Noel.” The second hymn, the Latin words are not so obvious in the hymn as they are reserved for the “refrain.”

Let’s take a look at the “easy” one entitled “The First Noel” as the song tells the story of the announcement of the birth of Jesus through the Angelic announcement and the prominence of the brilliance of the Bethlehem star.

The word “Noel” is French and translates into the English word “Christmas.” The word can also mean “good news” or used as our word “birthday.” The beloved hymn’s “refrain” could literally be saying “Good news! It’s Christmas! Good news! It’s the birthday of a King! Born is the King of Israel!”

Now, the second hymn, which you may not remember the “title” so much as you do the “refrain” that sends our vocal chords all over the spectrum from alto to tenor and from bass to soprano….you know those words… “Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!” Just singing the one word, “Gloria” takes about 35 notes and hopefully, one breath to get through. It is quite the vocal roller coaster ride.

The hymn is entitled “Angels We Have Heard on High” that speaks similarly of the message of “The First Noel” and the Angelic announcement of the birth of Christ. The song is based on the account of Luke 2:13,“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God….”

The most mispronounced phrase that trips us up is “in excelsis Deo!” These Latin words mean “God in the highest.” So, when we sing, “Gloria, in excelsis, Deo,” we are literally saying “Glory to God in the highest.” It echoes the words of Luke 2:14, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

Two of the most beloved Christmas hymns that have some fascinating, yet challenging words to understand as well as to pronounce. However, the reason for those words are not challenging at all. They are words of joy, excitement, and hope that speak of salvation and a God who loves us and is willing to come and save us.

As we continue to sing these wonderful words (regardless of how we pronounce them), may be drink in the deep refreshment those words bring that Jesus the Messiah has arrived…he is born…and that is truly good news! Like the Angels, let us go forth praising God and shouting the joy of salvation in Jesus Christ…the Christ of Christmas.

Learn from Lydia

There are a lot of interesting mentions of women in the Bible. Whether it is the Old Testament or New Testament, there are many strong, yet oddly missed, lessons from women that we can familiarize ourselves with to strengthen our faith. One such woman is named Lydia. She provides a very powerful lesson for us. We find one particular mention of her in the book of Acts. Acts 16:14 , says that Lydia “reverenced God, and the Lord opened her heart to accept what Paul was saying.” Lydia is actually a significant person in the New Testament. She is described as “a dealer in purple goods” (Acts 16:14). Pointing that out is quite a clue. Dealing in “purple goods” was considered a luxury in the ancient world. It is probably safe to say that she was both a woman of great financial means and able to deal successfully with the influential people of her time. She was also noted as having a great gift of persuasion. I think she might have been the only perso...

Tetelestai!

Just before Jesus gives up His spirit on the cross, He utters a very powerful word. The word that He cries out is “ tetelestai” (tih-tellis-tie). When literally translated, this word means, “It is finished.” It can also refer to something completed or accomplished. The word occurs in John 19:28 and 19:30 and these are the only two places in all of the New Testament where it is found. In the John19:28 passage, it is translated, “After this, when Jesus knew that all things were now completed , in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, he said, ‘I thirst.’” Two verses later, he utters the word himself: “Then when he received the sour wine Jesus said, ‘ It is finished ,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” Did you know that the word tetelestai was also written on business documents or receipts in New Testament times to show indicating that a bill had been paid in full? The Greek-English lexicon (by Moulton and Milligan) sa...

Asking "What" Instead of "Why"

Life is not easy and it is not void of struggle, challenges, pain, sorrow, loss, grief, and suffering. I am sure I can come up with more words than that, but this article would soon blossom to two to three pages in length. I am sure we are familiar with the trials and frustrations of Job in the Old Testament. Some of us might even be familiar with the words of Habakuk in 1:2 , “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” When things don’t go well or something tragic or unfortunate befalls us, we are faced with the struggles of crying out to God, “why me?” “Why, God, did you let this happen?” Many times, we too, grow frustrated and angry at God, for how He chooses to work within our situations and circumstances. We sure do end up asking God a lot of “why” questions. I believe “why” could be the wrong word to be using. Asking “why” seems to imply a lack of faith, ungratefulness, and, somehow, that we think God owes us an explanation, an answer or reaso...

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