I have always loved to sing O Come All Ye Faithful on Christmas morning. The last verse bursts into a crescendo of joy as it calls us to worship and adore Jesus Christ the Lord. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, Born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory given! Word of the Father, Now […]
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 […]
“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 […]
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 […]
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 – __________ […]
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 […]
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, […]
– “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9 – There are songs in which the music, the lyrics, and the story behind its writing sing with one voice […]
Not only do Christmas carols tell the story of the birth of Christ, but many explain why He was born. Indeed, when the angel appeared to the shepherds the very reason he said he was bringing them good news of great joy was because a Savior was born for them. But the angel said to them, […]