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Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.

Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Opus 32, Read the Second Verse

Why do people miss the meaning of Christmas?  They never read the second verse.  I am talking here about the “real” Christmas music, the hymns, carols, and classical selections that actually are concerned with the story of Jesus.  Many people can sing along with the first verse.  They can do so without engaging their minds.  Since most public singing focuses on the first verse, that is enough to be socially acceptable.

Have you ever read the other verses?  Take for instance “Joy to the World.”  Let me share the third verse with you:
No more let sin and sorrow grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground.
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found.
If that isn’t a message of hope and change, I don’t know what is.  How about the fourth verse of “Silent Night?”
Silent night!  Holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at they birth,
Jesus, Lord at they birth.
That is a little more than wanting a “White Christmas” or being “Home for the Holidays.”

The same truth holds for most of the hymns and gospel songs that have been sung for generations.  Everyone knows the first few words to “Amazing Grace” and “Abide with Me.”  They sang them in a lot of the old Cowboy movies.  Its like getting a seven layer burrito and only licking the sour cream off the top.

Read the second verse, please.

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Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.