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I suspect there are many, who like me, delight in those moments when a familiar Bible passage gives rise to an unexpected train of thought. This happened just a few days ago when meeting an Advent invitation to our congregation (Made by my Ordained wife) to read the 24 chapters of Luke through the first 24 days of December. I had scarcely started when the words of Luke 2 17-18 gave me an idea …
17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.
This led to thoughts about oral story-telling and the thought-provoking idea that God’s plan meant the Shepherds, almost certainly outcasts from respectable society, were the first evangelists. So this carol celebrates the earliest dispersal of the news of Jesus’ birth throughout the locality of Bethlehem.
The Carol of The Good News (Luke 2 17-18)
Can be sung to any 87.87 tune (suggested by author - LOVE DIVINE)
Gather round me all you people,
I’ve a wondrous tale to tell;
heard it from my trusted cousins,
told by shepherds round a well.
It was just a few days since, those
shepherds watching flocks by night
on the hills surrounding Bethl’em,
Saw a startling, dazzling light.
There were angels, calling, singing
urging them ‘Go into town,
where a new-born in a manger
is The promised Holy One’.
So, let’s tell this story widely,
prophecies attest its truth.
Come! Make every hill and valley
ring with joy at our glad news.
December 2021.
More carols, Christmas songs and activities for All Age services can be found HERE
