DAY 16 Remember

“Remember my affliction and my wanderings,
the wormwood and the gall!
My soul continually remembers it
and is bowed down within me.
But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul,
‘therefore I will hope in him.’”

(Lamentation 3:19-24)

God has endued man with an incredible ability to remember.  In fact, one of the great tragedies of human experience is when we begin to lose the capacity to remember or chose not to remember.  Holidays are one of those opportunities afforded to each of us to remember.  Christmas is such a holiday.  It gives us pause but not to simply remember Christmas past.  We must reach farther back to the meaning of Christmas.  We remember the birth of our dear Savior Jesus.  This remembrance of the turning point of human history gives us hope to carry on today.  “Let nothing you dismay. Remember, Christ, our Savior was born on Christmas day.” Detractors will say, “Jesus was not born on Christmas day.”  This, of course, is factually true, but the fact that he was born and brought new life is a fact we accept in faith.  Come remember with me!

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

 God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Savior
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 Bethlehem, in Jewry
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

From God our Heavenly Father
A blessed Angel came
And unto certain Shepherds
Brought tidings of the same
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by Name
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

“Fear not then”, said the Angel
“Let nothing you affright
This day is born a Savior
Of a pure Virgin bright
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan’s power and might”
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind
And went to Bethlehem straightway
The Son of God to find
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

And when they came to Bethlehem
Where our dear Savior lay
They found Him in a manger
Where oxen feed on hay
His Mother Mary kneeling down
Unto the Lord did pray
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

Now to the Lord sing praises
All you within this place
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace
This holy tide of Christmas
All other doth deface
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

DAY 15 The Foolishness of Christmas

^“For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.  But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.  And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”  (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)

 What an unbelievable story.  A virgin giving birth to a child. A child who is to be king born in a manger not a king’s palace.  The king of his own nation wants to kill him, and foreign stargazers want to worship him.  And of all people to send his birth announcement, a bunch of shepherds receive it out in a field as they watch their sheep.  Shepherds were on the bottom of the pecking order in Israelite culture.  It all seems foolishness to the ear of the hearer.  Yet, this is how God often acts to prove that what is done is from him and not man.  God choses the foolish things of this world to show his mighty power.  Are you foolish enough in the eyes of the world to be used by him?

 

The First Noel

 

The First Noel, the Angels 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.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel

Born is the King of Israel!

 

For all to see there saw a star

Shining in the East beyond them far

And to the earth it gave great light

And so it continued both day and night.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel

Born is the King of Israel!

 

And by the light of that same star

The Wise men came from country far

To seek for a King was their intent

And to follow the star wherever it went.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel

Born is the King of Israel!

 

Then let us all with one accord

Sing praises to our heavenly Lord

That hath made Heaven and earth of nought

And with his blood mankind has bought.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel

Born is the King of Israel!

DAY 14 Go and Tell!

 “And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.”  (Luke 2:17-18)

The message is the same as it was then.  The birth of Jesus, the Holy One of God, is good news to all people, everywhere.  The shepherds went and spread the news about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.  What they saw and heard, they shared with all who would listen.  We too have the same message.  We have met our Savior Jesus and our lives have never been the same.  We are compelled to go as they went.  “Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!”

Go Tell it on the Mountain

 Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!

While shepherds kept their watching
O’er their wandering flocks night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light

Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!

He made me a watchman
Upon the city wall,
And if I am a Christian,
I am the least of all.

Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!

DAY 13 Hallelujah!

 Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
    praise the name of the Lord!

Blessed be the name of the Lord
    from this time forth and forevermore!
From the rising of the sun to its setting,
    the name of the Lord is to be praised!

(Psalm 113:1-3)

Hallelujah is the Hebrew word we translate as “Praise the Lord!”  “Hallel” is the Hebrew word for “praise.”  The “u” makes the word praise into a 3^rd person plural verb, “we praise.”  “Jah” is a shortened form of the tetragrammaton, the four-letter name of God.  So, we end up with the translation, “We praise God.”  It is fitting that we say and sing “hallelujah” in this Christmas season.  We corporately as the body of Christ cry out, “Hallelujah, Praise the Lord,” for your great gift, Jesus Christ, your Son, our Savior.  Join with me and believers around the would in cry of Hallelujah to our Great God.

A Hallelujah Christmas

 I’ve heard about this baby boy
Who’s come to earth to bring us joy
And I just want to sing this song to you
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
With every breath I’m singing Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

A couple came to Bethlehem
Expecting child, they searched the inn
To find a place for You were coming soon
There was no room for them to stay
So in a manger filled with hay
God’s only Son was born, oh Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

The shepherds left their flocks by night
To see this baby wrapped in light
A host of angels led them all to You
It was just as the angels said
You’ll find Him in a manger bed
Immanuel and Savior, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

A star shown bright up in the east
To Bethlehem, the Wise Men three
Came many miles and journeyed long for You
And to the place at which You were
Their frankincense and gold and myrrh
They gave to You and cried out Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I know You came to rescue me
This baby boy would grow to be
A man and one day die for me and you
My sins would drive the nails in You
That rugged cross was my cross, too
Still every breath You drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

DAY 12 Sing All Ye Citizens!

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” (Philippians 3:20-21)

 Jesus is born King.  He is given dominion over the Kingdom of God.  He has given citizenship in this kingdom to all who trust in him.  Now we join our voices with the host of heaven to sing praises to our King.  “Sing, all ye citizens of heave above!”

OH, COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL

Oh, come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant!
Oh, come ye, oh, come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him
Born the king of angels:
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.

The Highest, most holy,
Light of light eternal,
Born of a virgin,
A mortal he comes;
Son of the Father
Now in flesh appearing!
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.

 Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God
In the highest:
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.

 Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given!
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing!
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.

DAY 11 The Light of the World

  ^“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  (John 8:12)

“He will bring us goodness and light.”  At the first advent of Jesus, he brought goodness and light into a world darkened by sin.  He did not bring this gift to us as one gives a gift to another.  The gift he brought was not outside himself.  The gift was his very being for he is the Light of the World.  Without Christ, the world remains in darkness.  As you see the many festival lights of Christmas, remember that Jesus is the true light that brings light into our hearts which have been ravaged and darkened by sin.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

 Said the night wind to the little lamb,
“Do you see what I see?
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
Do you see what I see?
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite,
With a tail as big as a kite.”

 Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,
“Do you hear what I hear?
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,
Do you hear what I hear?
A song, a song high above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea,
With a voice as big as the sea.”

 Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king,
“Do you know what I know?
In your palace walls, mighty king,
Do you know what I know?
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold–
Let us bring him silver and gold,
Let us bring him silver and gold.”

 Said the king to the people everywhere,
“Listen to what I say!
Pray for peace, people, everywhere,
Listen to what I say!
The Child, the Child sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light,
He will bring us goodness and light.

DAY 10 Cast Out Our Sins and Enter In

 “He will again have compassion on us;
he will tread our iniquities underfoot.
You will cast all our sins
into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:19)

During the Christmas season, we often think of new begins because New Years follows on the heels of our celebration of Christ’s birth.  It is a fitting thought to have in our minds for the birth of Christ is the dawn of a new day.  The rising of the Morning Star.  God promises the removal of sin through his Son and that a new day of hope will begin.  This Christmas allow your Savior to, “Cast out your sins and enter in.”

O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM

 O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep,
The silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.

 How silently, how silently,
The wondrous Gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still,
The dear Christ enters in.

 O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sins and enter in,
Be born to us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell:
Oh, come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel!

DAY 9 Give Your Heart to Him.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  (Matthew 6;19-21)

We have received an incomparable gift from God.  It is not the best among others rather one that is in a league of its own.  Remember in this Christmas season the gift of Jesus and what that means for our lives and the world we live in.  This gift compels us to give back to the one who has given what we never deserved or could earn.  We are tempted to give material gifts in response to his gift and count it settle.  What the Giver of Christ desires from us is us.  Give your heart to God this Christmas. “Richer by far is the heart’s adoration.”

 

STAR IN THE EAST

 Hail the blest morn, see the great mediator

Down from the regions of glory descend.

Shepherds, go worship the babe in the manger,

Lo! for his guard the bright angels attend.

 

Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,

Dawn on our darkness and lend us thy aid.

Star in the east, our horizon adorning,

Guide where our infant redeemer was laid.

 

Cold on his cradle the dew drops are shining,

Low lies his bed, with the beasts of the stall.

Angels adore him, in slumber reclining,

Wise men and shepherds before him do fall.

 

Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,

Dawn on our darkness and lend us thy aid.

Star in the east, our horizon adorning,

Guide where our infant redeemer was laid.

 

Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion,

Odors of Eden and offerings divine,

Gems from the mountain and pearls from the ocean,

Myrrh from the forest and gold from the mine?

 

Vainly we offer each ample oblation,

Vainly with gifts we his favor secure;

Richer by far is the heart’s adoration,

Nearer to God are the prayers of the poor.    

 

Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,

Dawn on our darkness and lend us thy aid.

Star in the east, our horizon adorning,

Guide where our infant redeemer was laid.

DAY 8 Mighty Redeemer

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, ¹² training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, ¹³ waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11-14)1

Over 2,000 years ago, a child was born.  God planned from the foundation of the world that this child should be born, not by the will of man but by his purpose and plan.  His birth was foretold by prophets hundreds of years before.  He did not remain a child though but rather grew to manhood. He demonstrated in word and deed that he is the holy Son of God.  He died among thieves on a cross.  He was buried in a borrowed tomb, but the grave could not hold him.  He arose from the dead and now is seated at the right hand of the Father as our Mighty Redeemer.

 

CHILD IN THE MANGER

Child in the manger, infant of Mary
Outcast and stranger, Lord of us all
Child who inherits all our transgressions
All our demerits upon Him fall

Once the most holy Child of salvation
Gently and lowly lived low
Now as our glorious Mighty Redeemer
See Him victorious over each foe

Prophets foretold Him, infant of wonder
Angels behold Him on His throne
Worthy our Savior of all their praises
Happy forever are His own
Worthy our Savior of all their praises
Happy forever are His own

 

DAY 7 Peace

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”  (Luke 2:14)

There are basically two kinds of peace.  There is outer peace which is a harmony of man to man.  There is also inner peace which is a harmony within our heart and mind.  Both types of peace are a gift from God and are rooted in him.  The proclamation of peace by the angels to the shepherds was because Christ was born.  Unrest in the world and our lives comes from a fractured relationship to God which is caused by sin.  Christ came into the world to conquer sin by become the atoning sacrifice for all.  Now it is possible through Jesus Christ, and only through him, to have peace both within heart and in our relations.

 

 

I heard the Bells on Christmas Day

 I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet their songs repeat
Of peace on earth good will to men

 And the bells are ringing
Like a choir they’re singing
In my heart I hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men

 But the bells are ringing
Like a choir singing
Does anybody hear them?
Peace on earth, good will to men

 Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men

 Then ringing singing on its way

The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men

 And the bells they’re ringing
Like a choir they’re singing
And with our hearts we’ll hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

 Do you hear the bells they’re ringing?
The like the angels singing
Open up your heart and hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

 Peace on earth, Peace on earth
Peace on earth, Good will to men