Christmas Lore--Day 1

For the month of December, I would like to share a tidbit of Christmas lore with you each day.  I hope that you enjoy it.

Me playing the dulcimer at the Hofauger House, Virginia's Explore Park

 God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen

The comma is important in the opening line of this hymn.  It is not, as so often thought, addressed to merry gentlemen, but rather to those who may be anxious.  Its message of God's reassuring love is specifically directed at the shepherds who are frightened by the sudden appearance of an angel in their midst.  

This hymn grew out of folk tradition, probably coming from the west of England and originating in the eighteenth or early nineteenth century

God rest ye merry, gentlemen, 

Let nothing you dismay, 

Remember Christ our Savior 
Was born on Christmas day, 

To save us all from Satan's pow'r 

When we were gone astray;

O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy, 

O tidings of comfort and joy.

The shepherds at those tidings 

Rejoiced much in mind, 

And left their flocks a-feeding, 

In tempest, storm, and wind, 

And went to Bethlehem straightway 

This blessed babe to find:

O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy, 

O tidings of comfort and joy.

Now to the Lord sing praises, 

All you within this place, 

And with true love and brotherhood 
Each other now embrace; 

This holy tide of Christmas 

All others doth deface:

O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy, 

 O tidings of comfort and joy.