Journey to Bethlehem

God spoke through the prophet Malachi who told of a messenger to come. And God was silent for over 400 years…as Israel waited in hope. Then God acted, and the journey to Bethlehem began… God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last […]

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“Joy to the World!”

“Joy to the World” is one of my favorite Christmas carols. The words are based on Psalm 98, and it is one of the more than 600 hymns written by Isaac Watts (1674-1748).1 Watts wrote the hymn not about the First Advent of Christ, however, but about His Second. “Joy to the World” was in […]

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“Somewhere In Your Silent Night”

Christmas and the holiday season are not always times that are cheery and bright. Loneliness and loss have a sharper edge then because they contrast with our longings to have Christmas be a time of warmth and love and joy. Suffering and grief can also inflict a terrible sense of alienation on our hearts. We […]

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“For Unto Us A Child Is Born…”

The wonder and glory and hope of the birth of Jesus resound. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 – __________ […]

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“God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”

God rest ye merry, gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay, Remember Christ our Saviour Was born on Christmas day, To save us all from Satan’s power When we were gone astray: O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy! In the same region there were some shepherds staying out […]

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“How Great Our Joy!”

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. Luke 2:15 KJV – How Great Our Joy is a […]

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“Good Tidings of Great Joy to all People”

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10–11 Angels, from the Realms of Glory, by […]

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“The First Nowell”

The first Nowell the angel did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, On a cold winter’s night that was so deep. Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel. They lookèd up and saw a Star Shining in the East, […]

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“…the angel Gabriel was sent from God”

The word angel is not an English word, but a Greek word, ἄγγελος (angelos). It means messenger. Throughout the story of Christ’s birth in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, you’ll find God sending His angels with His messages to explain to people exactly what He is doing. Luke records the appearances of angels to […]

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