Composer

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Christmas Traditional

Genre

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Miscellaneous

Style

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Miscellaneous

Average_duration

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1:52

"Long Ago in Bethlehem (Moravian)" is a traditional Christmas carol that has been sung for centuries. The exact date of its composition is unknown, but it is believed to have originated in the Moravian Church, a Protestant denomination that was founded in the 15th century in what is now the Czech Republic. The carol tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, as recounted in the Bible. It is typically sung in four movements, each of which highlights a different aspect of the story. The first movement describes the setting of the story, with the lyrics "Long ago in Bethlehem, so the Holy Scriptures say, Mary and Joseph went to be taxed upon a certain day." This sets the scene for the rest of the carol, which tells the story of the birth of Jesus. The second movement focuses on the angels who appeared to the shepherds in the fields outside Bethlehem, announcing the birth of the Savior. The lyrics read, "And there were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night, and lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them." The third movement tells of the wise men who came from the East to worship the newborn King. The lyrics read, "And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy, and they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him." The final movement is a celebration of the birth of Jesus, with the lyrics "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men." This is a fitting conclusion to the carol, as it emphasizes the joy and hope that the birth of Jesus brings to the world. Overall, "Long Ago in Bethlehem (Moravian)" is a beautiful and timeless Christmas carol that captures the essence of the holiday season. Its simple yet powerful lyrics and melody have made it a favorite of generations of Christians around the world.

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