[21] 104 Good Christians All Rejoice

‘Good Christians all, rejoice
With heart and soul and voice!
---Now ye need not fear the grave;
---Jesus Christ was born to save,
Calls you one and calls you all,
To gain his everlasting hall.
---Christ was born to save!
---Christ was born to save!’

Last night was the first big family gathering of the season, with four out of five siblings on my mother’s side gathering to celebrate, amongst other things, Grandad’s birthday. A good time was had by all; it’s always nice to catch up in particular with my cousins who live far away on Anglesey. Festivities continued late into the night, which is why this post is later than usual (sorry!).

Unfortunately, one person was noticeable by his absence, this was Grandad himself. A spate of recent illnesses coupled with the bad weather and Granny’s deteriorating health meant that they just couldn’t make the long trip from Morecambe to Manchester.

The party continued – it had to, since there are so few occasions to meet up with such a large family. At least for me it had a certain sadness, lacking the grandparents who are so important at this time of year.

Oh… the carol. The words throughout resonate with the Good News of Jesus’ birth, heightened by the sprightly music in a 6/8 feel, to the tune of In Dulci Jubilo. This final verse however broaches a less comfortable subject, ‘the grave’. I guess my point is that even this hugely happy carol has a point of sadness to it, just as Christmas itself.

I’m sorry if this is incoherent dribble, I don’t feel I’m expressing myself very well. I think I need to man-up and realise that even this partial sadness is a joy. Nothing (NOTHING) can be sad with Christ, even/especially when finally we are called ‘to gain his everlasting hall’. Thanks be to God.