Music

It was Martin Luther who said “after theology there is no art than can be placed on a level with music; for besides theology, music is the only art capable of affording peace and joy of the heart.”

If Luther was correct in his assessment of music, and I believe he was, then it is a wonderful thing when good music is wed to good theology. Those who seek to be God-centered delight in music which expresses the teaching of the Scriptures with fidelity. A good song communicates truth and thus prompts lofty thoughts of God. Among the myriad of hymns which do such is Edward
Caswell’s “See! In Yonder Manger Low.”

See! In Yonder Manger Low

See! in yonder manger low,
Born for us on earth below,
See! the Lamb of God appears,
Promised from eternal years.

Refrain
Hail, thou everblessed morn!
Hail, redemption’s happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem!

Lo! within a manger lies
He who built the starry skies,
He who, throned in height sublime,
Sits amid the cherubim.

Say, ye holy shepherds, say
What your joyful news today;
Wherefore have ye left your sheep
On the lonely mountain steep?

"As we we watched at dead of night,
Lo! we saw a wondrous wondrous light:
Angels, singing peace on earth,
Told us of the Saviour's birth."

Sacred Infant, all divine,
What a tender love was Thine,
Thus to come from highest bliss
Down to such a world as this!

Teach, O teach us, holy Child,
By Thy face so meek and mild,
Teach us to resemble Thee
In Thy sweet humility.