Category: Christmas

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A White Christmas

Merry Second Day of Christmas, folks!

Yesterday was our first “White Christmas” since moving to America’s Third World County some years ago (we’re well into our second decade here), and old timers tell me such things haven’t been all that common for some time, now.

White Januarys? Yes, that’s a common occurrence. White Christmases, notsomuch.

4″ of snow descended the evening of the 24th and morning of the 25th. As this is America’s Third World County, getting up the hill and out of our lil neighborhood here in town was… not quite possible earlier this a.m. Sheet ice from packed snow resulting from folks leaving very early in the a.m., a little sun, some more cold, etc. No scraping, sanding or salting, of course. The only scraped and sanded areas of town are: the two highways going through town (State responsibility) and the area leading out of the AM/PM clinic that also houses the ambulance service (paid for by the ambulance service, of course). I bought a 40# bag of road salt, after leaving by the only other route out of the neighborhood, and salted the short hill and intersection leading out (and in) on the most direct route to our street. The kids are coming in (and leaving in the a.m. for either work or other activities), and I wanted them at least to have better traction. That others may benefit is incidental. 😉

Only one dog, now, to see to in inclement weather. The 13-year-old “youngster” (a Lab/Shepherd mix) passed away some months ago, so only one “outdoor” dog–the old guy, a 17(?)-year-old medium sized Heinz 57. For the first time since he’s been with us–about 14 years, now–he’s slept inside every night since cold weather hit. *heh* In fact, he seems to want to stay inside most of the time, now. Can’t blame him. Need to find his harness and take him for some walks, though.

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Who Is He In Yonder Stall?

Benjamin Russell Hanby is probably best known in popular society, if at all, for the great yawner, “Up On the Housetop” (click, click, click…), that merry paean to “Old Saint Nick” often sung at the yuletide.

But Hanby had a deeper side. In fact, he wrote one of the clearest expositions of the life and work of Christ that is available in the easily accessible song, “Who Is He in Yonder Stall.”

Who is He in yonder stall
At whose feet the shepherds fall?
Who is He, in deep distress,
Fasting in the wilderness?

Refrain:

‘Tis the Lord, O wondrous story!
‘Tis the Lord, the King of glory;
At His feet, we humbly fall,
Crown Him, crown Him Lord of all!

Who is He the people bless?
For His words of gentleness?
Who is He to whom they bring?
All the sick and sorrowing?

(Refrain)

Who is He that stands and weeps
At the grave where Lazarus sleeps?
Who is He the gathering throng
Greet with loud triumphant song?

(Refrain)

Lo, at midnight who is He
Prays in dark Gethsemane?
Who is He on yonder tree
Dies in grief and agony?

(Refrain)

Who is He that from the grave
Comes to heal and help and save?
Who is He that from his throne
Rules through all the world alone?

Refrain:

‘Tis the Lord, O wondrous story!
‘Tis the Lord, the King of glory;
At His feet, we humbly fall,
Crown Him, crown Him Lord of all!

I prefer hearing this sung as a series of questions posed by various choirs and soloists with the refrain sung once at the end in answer to all the questions posed, but that’s not how Hanby wrote it, so usually, in the past, when I’ve selected this hymn for use, I’d just have the congregation sing it as Hanby wrote it: one verse (question) and the answer repeated again and again in the refrain.

It’s a simple story, simply told and easily grasped.

‘Tis the Lord, O wondrous story!
‘Tis the Lord, the King of glory;
At His feet, we humbly fall,
Crown Him, crown Him Lord of all!

The Moody Bible Institute choir and symphonic band (1990-ish?) performing this classic song depicting the life and work of Christ, from birth to resurrection:

[audio:http://thirdworldcounty.us/Media_Files/Who-is-He-in-Yonder-Stall-MBI-Choirs-and-Symphonic-Band.mp3]