“ON A STARRY HILLSIDE”
(To the tune of “In the Bleak Midwinter” Public Domain)
Original Music: Gustav Holst 1906
Original lyrics: poem by Christina Rossetti 1872
Additional/Altered lyrics by Christene Jackman ©12.20.2024
PURCHASE MP3, LYRIC VIDEO DOWNLOAD.
Everyone knows that Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) was not born on December 25.
A hint in Scripture points toward a spring birth, around the time of Passover.
In Israel, lambing season is in spring. Luke 2:8, "Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night."
Why are they living in the fields, rather than rounding them up and putting them all in a hedged pen? Shepherds are in the fields at night, protecting the ewes out in the field giving birth. Predators are drawn by the smell of blood.
The real question to ask is this:
Why didn't the Ruach HaKodesh (The Holy Spirit) see fit to include the exact date of the birth of the Messiah in Scripture?
Note that none of the holy people of God in the Bible threw birthday parties.
Only pagans observed birthdays, the practice of which had its roots in astrology, which is idolatry. No, the Hebraic Biblical practice instead was to remember the anniversary of the death of a person.
LUKE 22:14-20
When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him.
Then He said to them, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer;
"for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God."
Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said,
"Take this and divide it among yourselves;
"for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."
And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying,
"This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."
Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying,
"This cup is the new (renewed) covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.
1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-26
For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you:
that the Lord Yeshua on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread;
and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said,
"Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me."
In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying,
"This cup is the new (renewed) covenant in My blood.
This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup,
you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.
God already has a culture, a Holy, Eternal Blood Covenant whose Terms reveal the Heart of our Creator. Discover the holy (set apart) Lifestyle of the Redeemed Community in the Scriptures.
Live it. Messiah Yeshua did and we are to imitate Him, as He and the Father are One.
The Messiah, the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53, the Redeemer was born. The angels sang.
The Way back into restored covenant relationship with the Father was given. A precious Gift from Above. If you want to honor Him, live Biblically. Proclaim the Lord's Death till He comes.
And that event happens during Passover Week every spring, starting at twilight on Nisan 14 on God's Calendar. (Go to www.hebcal.com)
“ON A STARRY HILLSIDE”
CHRISTENE JACKMAN
To reflect a spring/Passover birth of Messiah.
On a starry hillside / far from where I am
Shepherds guarded mothers / ewes about to lamb
Danger lurked in shadows deep / but flickering fires deterred
While on a starry hillside / Angels brought them word
Our God, heaven can't hold Him / nor the earth sustain
Heaven & earth shall hail Him / when He comes to reign
On that greening hillside / the Branch sprang forth that day
Yeshua HaMashiach / the King, in swaddling lay
Angels and archangels / praising, gathered there
Keruvim and Seraphim / thronging in the air
And His mother, Miriam / in her maiden bliss
Worshipped the Beloved / sweetly with a kiss
But, what can I give Him / poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd / I would bring a lamb
If I were a wise man / I would do my part
So, what I can, I give Him / I will give my heart
Comments