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Order of Service
- Bethany Lutheran College has a strong Norwegian heritage, but also traces its roots back to German Lutheran immigrants, and goes back even further to the heritage of western Europe and further to the Biblical heritage of Old and New Testament times.
The happy Christmas
The Scandinavian poet Nikolai Grundtvig draws on Old Testament heritage in this hymn, tying together the prophecy and fulfillment of Christ's birth in Bethlehem, the city of David.
Born in Bethlehem — Micah 5:2
Star of Jacob — Numbers 24:17
Dayspring from on high — Luke 1:78
Incarnate (Immanuel, God with us) — Isaiah 7:14
David's Son and Lord — Psalm 110:1 - Please stand and sing ELH 143: 1, 2, 7, 8, 9.
- Please stand and sing ELH 163: 1, 3.
Now sing we, now rejoice
European heritage is a mixture of vernacular languages and Latin, which was the language of church, school, and market. This hymn was written in alternating phrases of Latin and German.
In dulci jubilo, Nun singet und seid froh!
Unsers Herzens Wonne liegt in praesepio,
Und leuchtet als die Sonne Matris in gremio,
Alpha es et O!
Please sing ELH 135: 1, 3.
On Mary Virgin undefiled
One of the oldest Danish hymns comes from pre-Reformation times, but was reworked when Lutheranism came to Denmark and Norway in 1536.
Please sing ELH 268: 1-5.
O Jesus Christ, Thy manger is
Paul Gerhardt is the greatest German hymnwriter after Martin Luther. He lost his wife and all but one of his children to disease and war in the 1600s.
This hymn speaks of Christ as the powerful Son of God, Lord over creation, who knows our sorrows and brings us comfort with God the Father.
Please sing ELH 161: 1, 2, 4.
O rejoice, ye Christians, loudly
Sometimes traditions are local and "new." The Christmas at Bethany concerts have the tradition of closing with this hymn, which has become a favorite to many.