The Virgin Sings Her Lullaby

Detail of The Adoration of the Magi by Domenico Ghirlandaio ~ ca. 1488
(Spedale degli Innocenti, Florence)
Image courtesy of: Wikimedia Commons

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger;

because there was no room for them in the inn.”

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,

keeping watch over their flock by night.”

“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord

shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.”

“And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people.”

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.”

“And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,

lying in a manger.”

“And suddenly there was with the angels a multitude of the

heavenly host praising God, saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,

good will toward men.”

The Gospel of St. Luke: Ch. 2, 7-14

 

The Adoration of the Magi by Domenico Ghirlandaio ~ ca. 1488

(Spedale degli Innocenti, Florence)

Image courtesy of: Wikipedia



What Child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ, the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear: for sinners here,
The silent Word is pleading.



 

  Video courtesy of: thomashewittjones ~ YouTube

(Arranged & conducted by Thomas Hewitt Jones)

 

 

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,

The cross be borne for me, for you.

Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
 The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come peasant, king, to own Him.
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Raise, raise a song on high,
 The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.


What Child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?

(Lyrics by William Chatterton Dix [1837-1898] & originally derived from the poem “The Manger Song” ~ 1865)



 

The Adoration of the Christ Child by Fra Bartolomeo (Bartolomeo della Porta)

(Galleria Borghese, Rome) ~ ca. 1499

Image courtesy of: The Athenaeum


  

“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light;

they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”

The Book of the Prophet Isaiah: Ch. 9, Vrs. 2