A translation of Bach's Cantata, BWV 63, for the First Day of Christmas

1	Chorus [S, A, T, B]
	Tromba I-IV, Timpani, Oboe I-III, Fagotto, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo
	Christen, ätzet diesen Tag Christians, engrave this day In Metall und Marmorsteine! in metal and marble stone ! Kommt und eilt mit mir zur Krippen Come and hurry with me to the manger Und erweist mit frohen Lippen and prove with happy lips  Euren Dank und eure Pflicht; your thanks and your duty; Denn der Strahl, so da einbricht, for the ray that there breaks in Zeigt sich euch zum Gnadenscheine. is shown to you as the light of grace.
2	Recitative [Alto]
	Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo
	O selger Tag! o ungemeines Heute, Oh blessed day! Oh extraordinary today' An dem das Heil der Welt, on which the saviour of the world, Der Schilo, den Gott schon im Paradies the Schilo [Messiah], whom God already in paradise Dem menschlichen Geschlecht verhieß, promised to the human race, Nunmehro sich vollkommen dargestellt now reveals himself fully Und suchet Israel von der Gefangenschaft und Sklavenketten and seeks from the imprisonment and slave chains Des Satans zu erretten. of Satan to rescue Israel. Du liebster Gott, was sind wir arme doch? Dear God, what are we then in our wretchedness? Ein abgefallnes Volk, so dich verlassen; A fallen people, who forsake you; Und dennoch willst du uns nicht hassen; and nevertheless you do not choose to hate us; Denn eh wir sollen noch nach dem Verdienst zu Boden liegen, for before we should lie on the earth according to our deserts, Eh muß die Gottheit sich bequemen, before that the deity must condescend Die menschliche Natur an sich zu nehmen to take human nature upon himself Und auf der Erden and on the earth Im Hirtenstall zu einem Kinde werden. in the shepherds' stall to become a child. O unbegreifliches, doch seliges Verfügen! Oh incomprehensible but blessed decree!
3	Aria (Duetto) [Soprano, Bass]
	Oboe solo, Continuo
	Gott, du hast es wohl gefüget, God, you have well ordained Was uns itzo widerfährt. what now happens to us. Drum laßt uns auf ihn stets trauen Therefore let us always trust in him Und auf seine Gnade bauen, and build on his grace, Denn er hat uns dies beschert, for he has bestowed on us Was uns ewig nun vergnüget. what delights us now and for ever.
4	Recitative [Tenor]
	Continuo
	So kehret sich nun heut In this way now today is transformed Das bange Leid, the anxious suffering Mit welchem Israel geängstet und beladen, with which Israel was distresed and burdened In lauter Heil und Gnaden. into pure salvation and grace. Der Löw aus Davids Stamme ist erschienen, The lion from the stock of David has appeared, Sein Bogen ist gespannt, das Schwert ist schon gewetzt, his bow is stretched, his sword is already sharpened, Womit er uns in vor'ge Freiheit setzt. with which he places us in our former freedom.
5	Aria (Duetto) [Alto, Tenor]
	Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo
	Ruft und fleht den Himmel an, Call and implore heaven, Kommt, ihr Christen, kommt zum Reihen, come, you Christians, come into the ranks, Ihr sollt euch ob dem erfreuen, you should rejoice on account of that Was Gott hat anheut getan! which God has done today! Da uns seine Huld verpfleget since his graciousness maintains us Und mit so viel Heil beleget, and endows us with such great salvation Daß man nicht g'nug danken kann. that sufficient thanks cannot be given.
6	Recitative [Bass]
	Oboe I-III, Violino I/II, Viola, Fagotto, Continuo
	Verdoppelt euch demnach, ihr heißen Andachtsflammen, For this reason be redoubled, you hot flames of devotion, Und schlagt in Demut brünstiglich zusammen! and strike in humility ardently together! Steigt fröhlich himmelan Mount joyfully to heaven Und danket Gott vor dies, was er getan! and thank God for what he has done!
7	Chorus [S, A, T, B]
	Tromba I-IV, Timpani, Oboe I-III, Fagotto, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo
	Höchster, schau in Gnaden an Highest, look with grace on Diese Glut gebückter Seelen! this ardour of souls who bow [in worship]. Laß den Dank, den wir dir bringen, Let the thanks, which we bring you, Angenehme vor dir klingen, resound pleasingly before you, Laß uns stets in Segen gehn, Let us always go with your blessing Aber niemals nicht geschehn, but never let it happen Daß uns der Satan möge quälen. that Satan may torment us.
--
English Translation by Francis Browne (March 2002)

A translation of Bach's Cantata, BWV 63, for the First Day of Christmas

Cantata for the First Day of Christmas
1. Chor Christen, ätzet diesen Tag In Metall und Marmorsteine!   Kommt und eilt mit mir zur Krippen   Und erweist mit frohen Lippen   Euren Dank und eure Pflicht;   Denn der Strahl, so da einbricht,   Zeigt sich euch zum Gnadenscheine.	1. Chorus Christians, etch this day in metal and marble!   Come and hurry with me to the manger   and show with happy lips   your thanks and your duty;   for the ray, that breaks forth there,   reveals itself to you as the light of grace.
2. Rezitativ A O selger Tag! o ungemeines Heute, An dem das Heil der Welt, Der Schilo, den Gott schon im Paradies Dem menschlichen Geschlecht verhieß, Nunmehro sich vollkommen dargestellt Und suchet Israel von der Gefangenschaft und Sklavenketten Des Satans zu erretten. Du liebster Gott, was sind wir arme doch? Ein abgefallnes Volk, so dich verlassen; Und dennoch willst du uns nicht hassen; Denn eh wir sollen noch nach dem Verdienst zu Boden liegen, Eh muß die Gottheit sich bequemen, Die menschliche Natur an sich zu nehmen Und auf der Erden Im Hirtenstall zu einem Kinde werden. O unbegreifliches, doch seliges Verfügen!	2. Recitative A O blessed day! O extraordinary now, in which the salvation of the world, the Shiloh, whom God already in Paradise had promised to the human race, from now on is manifest completely and seeks to rescue Israel from the enprisonment and servitude of Satan. O dearest God, but what wretched creatures are we? A fallen people, who have abandoned You; and yet You will not hate us; for sooner than we should according to our merit lie prostrate, so Divinity must require itself to take on human nature and upon the earth in a shepherd's barn to become a child. O unfathomable, yet blessed outcome!
3. Arie (Duett) S B Gott, du hast es wohl gefüget, Was uns itzo widerfährt.   Drum laßt uns auf ihn stets trauen   Und auf seine Gnade bauen,   Denn er hat uns dies beschert,   Was uns ewig nun vergnüget.	3. Aria (Duet) S B God, you have well accomplished, what now has happened to us.   Therefore let us always trust in Him   and rely upon His grace,   for He has bestowed this upon us,   which now will delight us for ever.
4. Rezitativ T So kehret sich nun heut Das bange Leid, Mit welchem Israel geängstet und beladen, In lauter Heil und Gnaden. Der Löw aus Davids Stamme ist erschienen, Sein Bogen ist gespannt, das Schwert ist schon gewetzt, Womit er uns in vor'ge Freiheit setzt.	4. Recitative T So now, today, the anxious sorrow is changed, with which Israel was frightened and burdened, into pure blessing and grace. The lion from David's branch has appeared, His rainbow has arched, the sword is already honed, which with He places us in the future freedom.
5. Arie (Duett) A T Ruft und fleht den Himmel an, Kommt, ihr Christen, kommt zum Reihen, Ihr sollt euch ob dem erfreuen, Was Gott hat anheut getan!   Da uns seine Huld verpfleget   Und mit so viel Heil beleget,   Daß man nicht g'nug danken kann.	5. Aria (Duet) A T Call and pray to heaven, come, you Christians, come to dance, you should rejoice over this which God has done today!   For His mercy nourishes us   and enriches us with so much goodness,   that one cannot be thankful enough.
6. Rezitativ B Verdoppelt euch demnach, ihr heißen Andachtsflammen, Und schlagt in Demut brünstiglich zusammen! Steigt fröhlich himmelan Und danket Gott vor dies, was er getan!	6. Recitative B Redouble yourselves now, you burning flames of devotion, and strike together fervently in humility! Climb joyfully heavenwards and thank God for this, that He has done!
7. Chor Höchster, schau in Gnaden an Diese Glut gebückter Seelen!   Laß den Dank, den wir dir bringen,   Angenehme vor dir klingen,   Laß uns stets in Segen gehn,   Aber niemals nicht geschehn,   Daß uns der Satan möge quälen.	7. Chorus Highest, behold with grace this fervor of reverent souls!   Let the thanks that we bring You,   sound pleasing before You,   let us always walk in blessing,   but never let it happen   that Satan might disturb us.
Possibly Johann Michael Heineccius 1718 Copyright by Pamela Dellal

A quick approach to solving Christmas Mystery 2014: Titus 2:11

A more detailed discussion of all the clues will be provided in an upcoming posting, but here is a quick approach to solving the puzzle.

If one identifies the music in the DVD as the first movement of Bach's Christmas Day Cantata, Christen, ätzet diesen Tag [Christians engrave  this day], BWV 63, then an examination of the Bible readings used as background for the cantata would reveal: Titus 2:11-14, Isaiah 9:2-7, and Luke 2:1-14.

In two photographs I can be seen reading the New Testament of the German Bible, so this leaves Titus 2:11-14, or Luke 2:1-14.  Also, the elves provide a very important clue, namely "zwei elf" in German is "two eleven," and so the particular chapter and verse is 2:11.

Now is the book Titus or is it Luke?  One photograph shows St. Paul's Santa Claus Church in Santa Claus, Indiana, and this is followed by a photo of a plaque that clearly identifies it as such. This points to Titus 2:11 as the correct answer.  Further, other clues literally spell out the word "Titus."  These will be explained in an upcoming posting.

Bach's Christmas Day Cantata, Christen, ätzet diesen Tag, BWV 63

The first movement of Bach's Christmas Day Cantata, Christen, ätzet diesen Tag, BWV 63, was the music featured in Christmas Mystery 2014.

Christmas 2014 marks the 300th anniversary of the first performance of BWV 63, which took place in Weimar.

A beautiful rendition of BWV (Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis [Bach Works Catalogue]) 63 is linked here, and is sung by the Thomanerchor (St. Thomas Choir of Leipzig), a boys choir.  Bach served as director of the choir from 1723 to 1750.  The orchestration is quite stunning.

Another forceful performance of BWV 63 can be heard in this 1972 recording done in Munich under the direction of Karl Richter.  Again the orchestration is striking, especially the (brief) use of the organ in the last movement.

For a majestic and bit slower interpretation, this recent recording by the Collegium Vocale of Ghent Belgium is a nearly flawless performance.

Finally, this hour long video features Sir John Eliot Gardiner rehearsing BWV 63 in London, and providing commentary.  

Titus 2:11

The answer to Christmas Mystery 2014 is:  Titus 2:11 (or in German: Titus zwei: elf).

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men."  Titus 2:11.

Congratulations to Sharon, wife of cousin Daryl Helfert, for solving this year's Christmas Mystery.

An explanation of all the clues will be posted in due course.

Christmas Mystery 2014

                                                                First Sunday of Advent, 2014

On Christmas Eve 2013 I received a box whose contents I very quickly decided should form the basis of this year's Christmas Mystery.  The box contained a complete set of live recordings of Johann Sebastian Bach's cantatas, performed during the 1999 - 2000 Bach Cantata Pilgrimage, under the direction of musician and farmer Sir John Eliot Gardiner. 

For nearly a year these recordings have been background music while driving around Evansville, or working at home, and have accompanied me on numerous trips across Indiana, as well as travels back and forth to St. Louis, from one end of southern California to the other, and even while touring Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.  I now understand why Bach is considered the greatest composer who ever lived. 

The cantata was the "musical sermon before the sermon," in the German Lutheran church service of Bach's day, three hundred years ago.  Bach would find words consistent with the Bible readings for the given Sunday or Feast Day, then compose music for a choir, accompanied by a modest ensemble of instruments.

The Christmas Mystery 2014 DVD uses a movement, sung in German, from one of Bach's 200 church cantatas.  A series of photographs, all of which were taken in Indiana, accompany the music.  The answer to this year's Christmas Mystery is a Bible verse capturing the meaning of Christmas.  The photographs on the DVD contain an abundance of clues pointing to the featured cantata and chosen Bible verse. The correct answer is simply "Book of the Bible, chapter number: verse number." Only two guesses allowed.  

The first person to submit the correct answer to gkissel@msn.com by Christmas Eve will receive a CD with the recording of the complete cantata whose first movement was used in the DVD, and a mid-century modern bent glass dish featuring three reindeer.  The solution and explanation of all the clues will be posted at www.christmas-mystery.blogspot.com on Christmas Eve.

Bach signed his church cantatas with the letters SDG , standing for Soli Deo gloria, "To God alone the Glory." It is in that spirit that I wish you a very Merry Christmas.

                                                            Glen

Acknowledgements:   The use of the music on the enclosed DVD was made possible by kind permission of Soli Deo Gloria, Monteverdi Productions, Ltd., London, England. 

Explanation of Solution to Christmas Mystery 2013

Christmas Mystery 2013 was based on an image of Joseph's Dream from Matthew 1:20 - 23.  (Joseph in fact has two more dreams in Matthew's rendering of the Nativity story.) This image, appearing on the front of the Christmas card, came from a 19th Century chromolithograph of a portion of the "Life of Christ" window at Chartres Cathedral. (The best commentary on the entire Nativity of Christ in both Matthew and Luke can be found in Raymond Brown's The Birth of the Messiah.)

This image was linked to the Christmas Mystery phrase, "had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap," the eighth line of Clement Clarke Moore's famous poem, "A Visit From Saint Nicholas."   The obvious linkage is that in both the phrase and the image, someone is sleeping.

The puzzle to be solved was created by dividing the image of Joseph's Dream into 36 equal rectangles. Beginning with the rectangle in the upper left, each letter of the alphabet was assigned to a rectangle, moving to the right in each row.  So the images of the first row were assigned letters "a," "b," "c," "d," "e," and "f."  This continues with subsequent rows until the alphabet is finished. The final ten rectangles were assigned to digits 0 thru 9. 

The above image shows the rectangles that were not used in the puzzle with their assigned letters or numbers.  The rectangles that were used in the puzzle do not have their corresponding letters showing, so as to aid anyone trying to reconstruct the phrase.

The rectangular images corresponding to the letters of the phrase, "had just settled our brains for a long winters nap" (leaving out the apostrophe from winter's, as well as any punctuation at the end of the line) were then placed in proper order in a grid of 64 rectangles.  The blank space(s) between words were simply filled in with images from the past 12 months, all but one of which I had taken.

So, for example, the first three rectangular images in the upper left of the puzzle correspond to the letters "h," "a," and "d."  The entire phrase can be constructed quite easily once this correspondence is understood between images and their letters.

A simple poetic clue was constructed that was intended to point the reader to approach the puzzle's images much like one would approach a "Wheel of Fortune" puzzle.  The only difference being is you had to be your own "Vanna White" sleuth to figure it out!

Finally, the phrase "had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap," is usually rendered in today's printings of the poem as "had just settled down for a long winter's nap."  However, the evidence clearly points to the former as being the original text that Moore first penned in 1822. Moore subsequently wrote the poem out in long hand a number of times, and one of the copies is held by the Huntington Library in San Marino, CA.

The origin of "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" is recounted by one of Moore's descendants in The Visit.