Christians awake!

My memory flashed back today to a childhood Christmas (I think I was 9 years old) when I awoke with excitement and started unpacking the bulging stocking but, at the same time, was startled by loud singing from the stairs.  My father had bought a second-hand wind-up gramophone player in order to surprise us that Christmas morning.  And he had also bought a used 78 record which was unfortunately scratched. 

However, at full volume, with accompanying clicks and hissing from the worn surface he played a carol to greet us which he deliberately chose for our wake-up call.  Though we were certainly awake with happiness this centered us on the reason for the deeper joy that holds fast in every circumstance.  To awake and salute the happy morn whereon the Savior of the world was born, rise to adore.....that's the very best news.   

Christians, awake! Salute the happy morn
whereon the Savior of the world was born;
rise to adore the mystery of love,
which hosts of angels chanted from above;
with them the joyful tidings first begun,
of God incarnate and the virgin's Son.

I have not sung this for some time but today it was an earworm from the past that filled me with joyful memory.  And how odd to recall those old 78's, steel styluses that scratched so easily, the need to keep winding up the machine.  Wow, technology has moved on but the message is unchanging.  Yes, this is a day, like every day to begin 'Christians awake!'