Advent Reflection 24 December
On Christmas night, all Christians sing
Pause for a moment
What good news have you heard today?.
Listen to the music
On Christmas night all Christians sing
to hear the news the angels bring
News of great joy news of great mirth
News of our merciful King’s birth
Then why should men on earth be sad
since our Redeemer made us glad
When from our sin He set us free
All for to gain our liberty
When sin departs before His grace
then life and health come in its place
Angels and men with joy may sing
All for to see the newborn King
All out of darkness we have light
which made the angels sing this night
Glory to God and peace to men
Now and forever more amen
Learn about the carol
The "Sussex Carol" is sometimes referred to by its first line "On Christmas night all Christians sing". Its words were first published by Luke Wadding, a 17th-century Irish bishop, in 1684, although it is not clear whether he wrote the song or was recording an existing piece.
Both the text and the tune to which it is now sung were discovered and written down by Cecil Sharp and Ralph Vaughan Williams, who heard it being sung by a Harriet Verrall of Monk's Gate, near Horsham, Sussex (hence "Sussex Carol"). The tune to which it is generally sung today is the one Vaughan Williams took down from Mrs. Verrall and published in 1919.
An earlier version using a different tune and a variation on the first line, "On Christmas night true Christians sing", was published as early as 1878. The carol often appears at the King's College "Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols”.
Time for reflection
There is no question that this carol is right to call for joyful songs at the ‘news of great joy, news of great mirth’. But the second verse might be hard to sing for some people at the moment—however much they agree that the Redeemer made us glad in overall terms.
Jesus has come. Everything has changed. The Kingdom is here ... and yet , it is still to come.
We cannot avoid acknowledging the truth that there are many reasons why we on earth should be so sad; either when we seer all that falls short of Jesus’ standards of peace, love and justice; or when any of us face bereavement, loss or injustice in our own lives.
Our Christmas celebrations must make room for some sadness that 2000 years later, despite history's lessons, we still resist God’s best way. We are still waiting, as Advent reminds us, for the final coming that will end all loss forever.
The third verse is actually the most helpful in our wrestling. It recognises that sin (not personal sin, but the fallenness of humanity, I suggest)) displaces God’s presence, something which needs to be remembered at Christmas if we are to embrace the truth of the good news while being sensitive to those of us who find more comfort in praying some of the bleakest lament psalms rather than singing joy filled carols at present.
The final verse recognises that the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. In this difficult time, we should remember that no darkness is too deep for the Christ child—he will shine a light in our world, tomorrow and always.
Time for Action
Light a candle in a dark room, and see how even the smallest light dispels darkness.