December 9: Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella

Second Week of Advent: Peace
December 9: Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella/Un Flambeau, Jeanette, Isabelle (French)

This is a French Christmas carol which you are probably familiar with – at least the tune if not the lyrics. It is a melody full of mirth and joy.

The narrative of song is that Jeanette and Isabella are two female farmhands who have found the newborn baby Jesus and Mary his mother in the stable. They are excited by this discovery and run to the village to tell everyone. They all rush to see this amazing thing, and of course they bring refreshments to share and come knocking at the door. We get the idea that the women have already become nursemaids and protectors as the visitors are cautioned to quit knocking and to keep their voices down,

It is wrong when the Child is sleeping,

It is wrong to talk so loud.

Silence, now as you gather around,

Lest your noise should waken Jesus.

Hush! Hush! See how He slumbers;

Hush! Hush! See how fast He sleeps!

The community then gathers around and marvels at the newborn Jesus, but remains quiet so he can enjoy his dreams.

What is striking about this carol is the theme of the women who are the first to discover the newborn baby Jesus and rush back to share this good news. This mirrors the Easter morning account of the women who encounter the empty tomb of Jesus and rush back to share the good news that Christ is risen. This is a reminder to us that the incarnation and the resurrection are irrevocably linked together. The salvation of the world depends on both the newborn infant and the risen Christ.

This is a carol rooted deeply in the human joy of a newborn baby being welcomed by the community. The gift of a child and those who gather to share in that wonder. I think this is one of the reasons why people love Christmas so much. The idea of God coming as an infant. The hope found in all newborns is also the hope of our salvation.

Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella!

Bring a torch, to the stable call

Christ is born, tell the folk of the village

Jesus is born and Mary's calling.

Pastor Matt Knapp
Sturgeon Bay Moravian

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English Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella! Bring a torch, to the stable call Christ is born, tell the folk of the village Jesus is born and Mary's calling. Ah! Ah! Beautiful is the Mother! Ah! Ah! Beautiful is her Child [Who is that, knocking on the door? Who is it, knocking like that? Open up, we've arranged on a platter Lovely cakes that we have brought here Knock! Knock! Open the door for us! Knock! Knock! Let's celebrate!] It is wrong when the Child is sleeping, It is wrong to talk so loud. Silence, now as you gather around, Lest your noise should waken Jesus. Hush! Hush! See how He slumbers; Hush! Hush! See how fast He sleeps! Softly now unto the stable, Softly for a moment come! Look and see how charming is Jesus, Look at Him there, His cheeks are rosy! Hush! Hush! See how the Child is sleeping; Hush! Hush! See how He smiles in His dreams!

French Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle -- Un flambeau! Courons au berceau! C'est Jésus, bonnes gens du hameau. Le Christ est né; Marie appelle! Ah! Ah! Que la Mère est belle, Ah! Ah! Que l'Enfant est beau! [Qui vient là, frappant de la sorte? Qui vient là, en frappant comme ça? Ouvrez-donc, j'ai posé sur un plat De bons gâteaux, qu'ici j'apporte Toc! Toc! Ouvrons-nous la porte! Toc! Toc! Faisons grand gala!] C'est un tort, quand l'Enfant sommeille, C'est un tort de crier si fort. Taisez-vous, l'un et l'autre, d'abord! Au moindre bruit, Jésus s'éveille. Chut! chut! Il dort à merveille, Chut! chut! Voyez comme il dort! Doucement, dans l'étable close, Doucement, venez un moment! Approchez! Que Jésus est charmant! Comme il est blanc! Comme il est rose! Do! Do! Que l'Enfant repose! Do! Do! Qu'il rit en dormant!