Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains facts for kids

Judea in the first century AD

"Far, Far, Away on Judea's Plains" is a beloved Christmas hymn. It was first written in 1869 for a special Christmas program. This program took place in St. George, Utah. The song's creator, John Menzies Macfarlane, wanted a new tune for his choir to sing.

About "Far, Far, Away on Judea's Plains"

This hymn is special because it tells the story of Christmas. It talks about the plains of Judea, which is a region. This region is important in the Bible. It is where many events of the Christmas story happened.

The Song's Beginning

The hymn was created by John Menzies Macfarlane. He was a talented musician. He needed a new song for his choir's Christmas performance. So, he wrote "Far, Far, Away on Judea's Plains." This shows how music can be created for special events.

When the Song Was First Shared

The hymn was first printed for everyone to see in 1889. It appeared in a magazine called the Juvenile Instructor. This happened on December 15th. Publishing a song helps it reach many people.

A Hymn for Many Christians

"Far, Far, Away on Judea's Plains" is a hymn from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What makes it unique is that it has become popular beyond that church. Many other Christian groups also sing and enjoy this hymn. This shows how music can bring people together.

The Melody of the Hymn

The tune that goes with the words is called "Chatterley." John Menzies Macfarlane also wrote this melody. So, he created both the words and the music for this hymn. This is quite an achievement for a composer.