节目资讯
刊物:空中英语教室
日期:2013-12-25
难易度:High
关键字:carol, solemn, worship, salvation, manger, materialistic, Christ
Today our lesson focuses on a well-loved Christmas carol: What Child is This?
And the writer of this song, William Chatterton Dix asks this question and, in
the song's lyrics, provides some answers to this question that people have been
asking for over 2,000 years.
Well, let's continue learning a little bit about the hymn's meaning in the next
part of our lesson.
"What Child is This?".
The hymn's meaning.
Dix was moved to write about witnesses at the manger scene who knew that this
was no ordinary birth yet didn't really fully understand its significance.
The writer described an infant who sleeps on his mother's lap, is guarded by
shepherds, greeted by angels with sweet songs and worshiped by kings.
Dix then answers his initial question by declaring that the baby is "Christ the
King," who brings salvation to all people.
He concluded that for this reason, we should sing about Christ, worship him and
be filled with joy!
Jesus indeed gives us cause for celebration on this, His birthday, Christmas
day!
(Music).
OK. Well, we certainly do have a great reason to celebrate on Christmas Day and
all year round because of what Jesus Christ has done for our lives.
Now let's go back to the beginning of this section: The hymn's meaning.
The hymn.
You see that word H-Y-M-N, but it just sounds like you're saying H-I-M.
However, the hymn, we're talking about the hymn's meaning here.
What do we find out?
Well, we read that Dix was moved to write about witnesses at the manger scene
who knew that this was no ordinary birth yet didn't really fully understand its
significance.
So there was a lot going on here in this song and in the lyrics and what Dix
wanted to capture when he wrote it.
OK, he was moved to do this.
Let's take a look at that word "move." Usually I think of uh, well, maybe moving
from one house to another.
Or I'm moving something from the table over to somewhere else.
Is that what this word means here, Carolyn?
No, this is a different kind of move.
And you saw there, how are people moved?
So you can be moved to do something.
It means that you have this emotion, this feeling that you just... oh, you feel
overwhelmed by it.
So maybe you are moved to tears by something that is so sweet.
It doesn't have to be something sad.
It can be just a beautiful song or story, and it moves you in some way.
All right, so you're moved to tears.
Emotionally you have a reaction.
Or maybe you're moved to do something like Dix here.
He was moved to write about these witnesses, the shepherds and the wise men,
everybody that surrounded Jesus Christ when he was born.
So he was moved and inspired to do this.
Well, how do we continue here, Carolyn?
Well, we read:
The writer described an infant who sleeps on his mother's lap, is guarded by
shepherds, greeted by angels with sweet songs and worshiped by kings.
So there is a lot going on in this song.
That's right, all of these things that surround this little infant, this little
Baby Jesus.
Well, let's take a look at our word from the Word Bank here.
It is worship.
And this means to respect and honor, but it means a lot more than that too,
right, Carolyn?
How would you use this word "worship"?
Well, worship is a pretty serious word.
And we use it when we, like, bow down and give ourselves wholly to something.
So like bowing down before God and worshipping Him.
And because Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that is happening here in this song.
That's right.
Now I often think of this word when I think about going to church.
And maybe you're in church and everybody is singing - they're singing praise and
worship songs.
They're worshipping God with their voices.
But I also think it's a lot more than that.
Just like Carolyn said, you can worship God with your whole life.
Everything you do, everything you say can be an act of worship.
That's right.
And that is what many Christians aspire to do, to turn their entire lives into a
life that worships and honors God.
Now we continue reading that Dix then answers his initial question by declaring
that the baby is "Christ the King," who brings salvation to all people.
And that's very important.
We need to take a look at some things here.
He is Christ the King.
You see Christ is underlined. It's a More Information word.
And Christ is a word that means anointed, but it also means that God has
specially chosen this person to bring salvation to people.
And now let's talk about that word "salvation." What does that mean and how can
you use it?
Well, salvation means that you are saved by God from evil in this world, from
our sins.
And well, salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone.
So if you are seeking salvation, then you should be reading the Bible, getting
to form a relationship with Jesus Christ and God.
That's right, for Him to save us that gives us a relationship with God himself.
All right. Well, we continue here.
He concluded, the writer concluded that for this reason, we should sing about
Christ, worship him and be filled with joy.
Well, of course our salvation is a great reason to be filled with joy all the
time.
Yes, it is.
And Jesus indeed gives us cause for celebration on this, His birthday, Christmas
day!
All right. Well, of course many people think that December 25 is when Jesus was
born.
We don't really know for sure, but we can always have a reason to celebrate
Jesus.
All right. Now it's time for us to learn more with Michelle in the Language Lab.
OK.
(Chinese).
And now let's head back to our teachers.
Well, we've learned all about the history of this famous Christmas carol.
And Carolyn and I would now like to sing this song for you.
But not only us two! We found our friends Nathanael and Rebecca to help.
It's good to have you guys.
Hello.
Long time no see.
All right. Let me find my pitch pipe here.
One, two.
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!
And with that, we would like to wish you all a...
Merry Christmas!
And of course, we will see you next time right here at Studio Classroom.
OK, verse two, you guys!
So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh.
Come peasant king to own Him!
The King of kings, salvation brings...
(Music).