Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

Today we are back at the hospital for Ed's second infusion. Ed continues to improve, and his doctor is pleased with his progress in the past three weeks.

The biggest difference I see in Ed is that he is talking again. For a few weeks he had been so quiet, hardly able to hold a conversation and showing little emotion. Now he is back to his quick retorts and one-liners, making me smile with a deep quivering relief. I don't need anything else for Christmas.

Since Ed is feeling so much better, we've been throwing ourselves into enjoying December. The craft show this weekend was so much fun. I loved seeing old (and new) friends.

On Sunday we went to a Christmas concert held by a local community chorus at a beautiful chapel. This place holds sweet memories for Ed and I. We had been there numerous times when dating, including the Christmas Eve that Ed proposed. but we had not been there since we've had children. This year we decided to take our children to enjoy their Christmas program. The youngest grew bored and fell asleep, but the older ones enjoyed climbing the bell tower and watching the carillonneur play the bells.

And the music. Wow. I forgot how good it is to sit high in a balcony in a building with amazing acoustics and hear the waves of music swell up from the orchestra and choir.

Every year I have a favorite Christmas song. Last year I was struck by how much Christmas music refers to Christ's second coming. Maybe because I've been reminded so often this past year that peace on earth won't be truly found until Christ's return.

One of the songs sung was "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence." This is an ancient hymn, but new to me even though I found it in our hymnal. In Sunday School we are studying Revelation, and this hymn reminds me of glory of Christ described in the first chapters.

So much of the way we celebrate Christmas is self-centered and commercial. This Christmas hymn reminds me of the awe found in the presence of the exalted Jesus Christ.

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Translated from the Liturgy of St. James by Gerard Moultir
Hymns of the Church #202

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing early minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descending
Comes our homage to demand.

Kind of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food.

Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spread its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day,
Comes the powers of hell to vanquish
As the darkness clears away.

At His feet the six winged seraph,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Lord Most High!

Here is a recording of you want to listen. (If viewing by email you may need to click over to the blog.)

13 comments :

  1. So glad that Ed's improving! Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! That is an amazing song; I really like Fernando Ortega's music, but I've never heard that song before. Thanks for sharing! God bless you all!

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  2. I love this hymn. It sends shivers down my spine and is such an antidote to all the sugary Christmas songs playing in the shops. If only all mortal flesh would keep silence and contemplate the real meaning of Christmas. So pleased Ed is doing well and you can enjoy these family outings.

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  3. What a great hymn to remind us how awesome Christ's coming was - and will be. You truly have a gift of thought and writing in sharing truth about your life and connecting it to Jesus' presence in all our lives. Thank you! -Suz

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  4. It is so good to read that Ed is doing so much better. The best Christmas gift of all for you. I have always liked that Christmas song also. I’m doing some advent readings this year that point over and over to Christ returning to Earth. Oh my! I am so ready for that. Blessings always my friend, Betsy

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  5. So happy your hubby is doing well! Such an answer to prayer! Still praying you have many more yrs together, Lord Willing.
    I would LOVE to see pictures of the craft sale, I believe my cousin set up her baskets, and a few things there.:) Tina

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    Replies
    1. I'm sorry. I didn't take a single picture. But the stands were lovely!
      Gina

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  6. I've known this song for years but haven't heard as a solo before. It makes the words easier to hear and adds to the contemplative nature of the song. Thanks for sharing, so glad Ed is feeling better, and praying your family can enjoy a blessed Christmas! -Lovina

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  7. Gina! You took me back to my childhood....to the same chapel & community choir. My parents often took us there, & we even sat in the balcony...it was so lovely, & since I have moved away I have often lamented that I haven't gone back. I listened to Handel's Messiah this week & had just texted my mom that it is as amazing as ever! Thanks for your word pictures! The nostalgia for me was wonderful! We are praying for your family from northern PA!

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  8. I'm so thrilled to hear that Ed is feeling better. Christmas is going to be lovely.
    I love that hymn too. We used to sing it in a choir here in Australia too.
    Always thinking of you and your family :)
    Wendy

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  9. So glad Ed is feeling better right now! Praising God with you

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  10. ALABADO SEA EL SEÑOR POR ESTE TIEMPO DE RECUPERACION DE ED, DIOS ES BUENO, DISFRUTEN DEL TIEMPO QUE DIOS LES REGALA, ¿EL MAÑANA? EL MAÑANA ES DEL SEÑOR. NO FESTEJO NAVIDAD YA QUE NO ES BIBLICA, NOS REUNIMOS EL ULTIMO DIA DEL AÑO CON MI GRAN FAMILIA Y DAMOS GRACIAS A DIOS POR SU AMOR, FIDELIDAD Y PERDON. BENDICIONES.

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  11. So glad to hear that Ed is doing better. I agree you have the best gift as he improves. Glad you could enjoy the concert as a family and reminisce of by gone years!
    Blessings to you and your family,
    Lois and Frank

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  12. Alleluia, Lord, that Ed is feeling better again. May the blessings of heaven and earth be yours this Christmas. So happy you could enjoy that concert together in a space full of memories. Your carol selection was my new one a couple years ago, discovered at the piano,and one I would love to help sing some day. Thanks for posting it with the link. Prayers for a heart of peace and joy this December and God's care in the new year. Love, Elaine

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