Sunday Music: Bach Cantata BWV 122
It is the second Sunday of Christmas. Today’s Bach cantata is “Das neugeborne Kindelein” (The new-born infant child):
Today’s Gospel reading is John 1:(1-9), 10-18:
The Word Became Flesh
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
The text of today’s cantata is available here, and contains these words:
The new-born baby,
the heart’s-beloved little Jesus,
now brings a new year
to the chosen flock of Christians.. . . .
The true year of jubilation has been brought,
why then should we continually mourn?
Up, revived! now it is the time to sing,
since little Jesus turns aside all sorrow.
Happy listening! Soli Deo gloria.
Reading scriptural passages such as what you shared really puts life into perspective, and highlights what truly matters. The prose in these verses of John is simple, yet powerful in meaning. That I needed to hear that day. As for Bach, he is one of those composers that many don’t fully appreciate until they grow older and wiser. I didn’t particularly like Bach all that much as a classical listener many years ago. But as time goes by, I see much better the deeper spiritual connotations of his compositions to where Bach has become part of my regular listening. Thank you Patterico.
HCI (92ea66) — 1/3/2021 @ 12:27 pmA fine selection to begin the New Year. Where was this recorded?
John B Boddie (d795fd) — 1/4/2021 @ 7:21 am