What is in Kelvin's Head?

While the shepherds at night were a-watching

19/11/2021

While the shepherds at night were a-watching
Where their flocks in the fields were abiding
Th’angel of the Lord came and stood down beside them
Opened his mouth and then greatly surprised them:
“Shine Jesus shine. Shine Jesus shine”
[Chorus]

Fear not said he for dread had seized them mightily
Minds were troubled, they all worried frightfully
I bring you tidings of gladness eternally
Dance with joy and with me sing supernally…
“Shine Jesus Shine. Shine Jesus Shine.
[Chorus]

Unto you is born now a saviour
Who is Christ the Lord and he made you.
He’s of David’s line, a descendent
Sing now to him for his sign is transcendent:
“Shine Jesus Shine. Shine Jesus Shine.”
[Chorus]

You shall find the heavenly babe there
To human view he looks lovely and very fair
All simply wrapped in bands that are swaddling
Sing to the child in the manger, the Godling:
“Shine Jesus Shine. Shine Jesus Shine”.
[Chorus]

Thus the angel spoke and suddenly
Throngs of angels appeared singing utterly
Beautiful music, their praises lasted long
As they sang forth they repeated the glorious song:
“Shine Jesus Shine. Shine Jesus Shine”
[Chorus]

“Glory be now to God in the highest
Peace to God’s people” they sang without shyness
Unto those upon whom his favour rests
With goodwill, may this song be ever blessed:
“Shine Jesus Shine. Shine Jesus Shine”
[Chorus]

14 responses to “Breastfeeding in church?”

Eamonn

06/12/2014

I’m OK with breast-feeding. But is that a tambourine I see in the background?

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1. Kelvin
  
  06/12/2014
  
  Oh, she likes her tambourines and guitars does Herself.
  
  Reply
  1. PamB
    
    06/12/2014
    
    It’s a lute. Pronounced lyoot by all the best choirs.
    
    Reply
    1. Kelvin
      
      06/12/2014
      
      It is a lutenist angel playing Shine, Jesus Shine.
      
      Reply
      1. Bob Chapman
        
        06/12/2014
        
        That might be the only time “Shine, Jesus Shine” would be appropriate to sing.
Christine McIntosh

06/12/2014

I fear the tambourine might disturb the feeding child. Trust me. I know about this.

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Kennedy

06/12/2014

Is the picture of Madonna and Child in the chapel at the Cathedral of the Isles in Millport not showing Mary breastfeeding, not too ostentatiously?

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Bob Chapman

06/12/2014

Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/238450

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Gay Corran

07/12/2014

Christine is right: a rattling tambourine would distract a nursing child, particularly one as old as this appears to be! Lute music would be soothing though. Mary’s anatomy is distinctly odd. She seems to have no shoulders, and her breast is in a very peculiar place on her chest. However, we get the point: how could something ordained by God, or “nature” be offensive to anyone? When babies need feeding, they won’t wait; should mothers not go to church or to restaurants for up to two years after a birth? If page 3 type breasts loom from every newsagent’s shelves, what could be so disturbing about breasts being used for their other function?

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1. Christine McIntosh
  
  07/12/2014
  
  Er … I think you’ll find, Gay, that breastfeeding is the primary function of a woman’s breasts; any other is a creation of male fantasies.
  
  Reply
  1. Gay Corran
    
    07/12/2014
    
    Interesting point, Christine. Although I said “other” not “secondary”. You know that tee shirt for pregnant women that goes “it began with a kiss”? When most of us got pregnant one of the two functions came into it, I’ll bet, male fantasies or otherwise! Breasts have two functions; what is extraordinary is that one is designated as so disgusting that it has to be performed in private, in a corner, or hidden under a napkin – but it’s the wrong one… Bring on the lutes and adoring angels!
    
    Reply
Janet Koch

07/12/2014

Hey, Jesus was breast-fed.

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Eamonn

08/12/2014

‘Is the picture of Madonna and Child in the chapel at the Cathedral of the Isles in Millport not showing Mary breastfeeding?’ Yes, I think it does, Kennedy. It’s also the only Madonna and Child painting I like, as it shows Mary, realistically, as a bedraggled, just-delivered 16-year-old single mother. I wish it were better known.

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Jennifer White

16/10/2017

There is nothing better than these comments and this beautiful meme today. 🙂
-a mom who nursed 2 children for 4 years total

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