{"id":15823,"date":"2020-12-28T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-12-28T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/urc\/urc-daily-devotion-monday-28th-december-2020"},"modified":"2020-12-28T06:00:00","modified_gmt":"2020-12-28T06:00:00","slug":"urc-daily-devotion-monday-28th-december-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trinitywimbledon.org\/index.php\/urc-daily-devotion-monday-28th-december-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"URC Daily Devotion Monday 28th December 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

Monday 28th December – The Coventry Carol<\/strong><\/p>\n

Both the words and music of this carol date back to the middle ages and put in sung form the dramatic, and horrific, slaughter of the Innocents.  Annie Lennox\u2019s version of it is particularly haunting.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

St Matthew 2: 16-18<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: \u2018A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

The Coventry Carol<\/span><\/strong>
Traditional<\/span><\/p>\n

You can hear Annie Lennox\u2019s version here<\/span>
https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ltVWs4jDYsw<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Lullay, lullay<\/span>
My little tiny child<\/span>
By-by, lullay, lullay<\/span><\/p>\n

Oh, sisters too<\/span>
how may we do<\/span>
for to preserve this day?<\/span>
This poor youngling<\/span>
of whom we do sing.<\/span>
By-by, lullay, lullay.<\/span><\/p>\n

Herod the King<\/span>
in his raging<\/span>
charged he hath this day.<\/span>
His men of might<\/span>
in his own sight<\/span>
all children young to slay.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then woe is me<\/span>
poor child for thee,<\/span>
and ever mourn and say.<\/span>
For thy parting<\/span>
nor say, nor sing.<\/span>
By-by, lullay, lullay.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lullay, lullay<\/span>
My little tiny child<\/span>
By-by, lullay, lullay<\/span><\/p>\n

Reflection<\/span><\/strong>
This carol has a haunting, chilling tone to it, as it reminds us of the horror of Herod\u2019s act to maintain his position.  It is not often heard in churches as we like to sing the rousing carols of celebration.  But it appeals to me as it shows us that the Nativity was never a cosy little tableau where everything was easy \u2013 where the straw was soft and gentle, and a glowing light surrounded everyone\u2019s head.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is no pain worse than losing a child \u2013 at whatever age.  Before birth, it is often hard for the mother to acknowledge her motherhood as she has nothing to show for it.  When a baby is lost we mourn the potential of what could have been.  As the child ages, their loss is no less felt, as the potential that has been lost is keenly felt and parents have to deal with the guilt that they feel as they think that it should have been them first.<\/span><\/p>\n

To be with someone who has suffered the loss of a child, while heavily pregnant, or cradling your own baby brings almost unbearable feelings of guilt and almost a sense of wanting to hide what you have to protect the one who has lost.  Yet often this does not help, as those who are suffering want to know that life goes on.  But the grief does not go away.  The guilt of loss stays with you, however well you learn to manage it.<\/span><\/p>\n

I wonder what Mary made of it all\u2026..<\/span><\/p>\n

Prayer<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Lord there is no greater loss than that of a child.  But you have been there, as you have given up your precious Son for us.   Be with us in our mourning that we may know your comfort, that we may know you share in our suffering and show us the light at the end of our darkness.  For your light is the hope we need always.  Amen<\/span> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Monday 28th December – The Coventry Carol Both the words and music of this carol date back to the middle ages and put in sung form the dramatic, and horrific, slaughter of the Innocents.  Annie Lennox\u2019s version of it is particularly haunting. St Matthew 2: 16-18 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by … <\/p>\n

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