Christine is a happily married teacher, homemaker, pastor's wife, Sunday school teacher, mother, sister, friend. Having built a retirement cottage in the country, enjoying "porch time" with God. Reading devotionals, reflecting on God's Word, making applications, pausing to reflect on His truths, writing from the heart.
Psalm 103:2 “Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.”
I have to clean my house. I have a roof over my head with stuff. I get to clean my house. I have to go to work. I am able to participate in the workforce to help others, to serve. I get to go to work. I have to exercise to be healthy. My body works and I am able. I get to go for a walk. I have to drive to the store. I have a car, money in my wallet. I get to go buy groceries. I have to do yard work. I have a home with a yard to enjoy the outdoors. I get to do yard work. I have to go to church. I live in a free country. I get to go to church to hear the word of God proclaimed without fear of my life. Let’s turn our have to’s into get to’s. When your attitude changes, your outlook changes. You see God in your day. You become aware of your blessings and thank God for them. You getto thank God.
Luke 1:47b “…my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,”
Mary…. After being visited by shepherds who probably told she and Joseph about the visiting angels and then a whole host of angels praising God in the night sky, sits in the space where Jesus lay, lovingly looking at her precious newborn baby. She ponders these things in her heart. She knows her baby is the Son of God, having been visited by an angel herself. She too, has praised God, being a humble servant, obedient to God’s will, to be used by God for her good and His glory. Her life has changed. A quiet small town girl suddenly in the spotlight. She sits quietly as strangers come to worship their Messiah. Sits in the background, knowing it is Jesus they have come to see. Being an instrument in God’s sovereign plan of redemption. In all of this Mary was the Lord’s servant, in service to God. How are you serving your Lord? Raising children. Caring for aging parents. Teaching others. Distributing food, clothing, meals to the needy. Sitting with someone who needs a listening ear. Mary knew the scriptures. She, along with the rest of the Jews, were awaiting the Messiah’s arrival. Do you know Jesus? Have you confessed Jesus as your Savior and Lord? Do you read your Bible to learn of Him, to learn from Him? “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” (Luke 1:47-50) We, like Mary, praise God, thanking Him for sending us His Son, Jesus. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
Mary, Did You Know?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy Would one day walk on water? Mary, did you know that your baby boy Would save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your baby boy Has come to make you new? This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you
Mary, did you know that your baby boy Will give sight to a blind man? Mary, did you know that your baby boy Will calm the storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy Has walked where angels trod? When you kiss your little baby You kiss the face of God
The blind will see, the deaf will hear The dead will live again The lame will leap, the dumb will speak The praises of the Lamb
Mary, did you know that your baby boy Is Lord of all creation? Mary, did you know that your baby boy Would one day rule the nations? Did you know that your baby boy Is heaven’s perfect Lamb? That sleeping child you’re holding is the great, I Am
Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet”(Matthew 1:22). Jesus’ birth foretold. Prophesized. Promised. A Savior. The Messiah. The Deliverer. Immanuel. God with us. A Person. Joseph and Mary, being faithful and obedient to God, are servants of the Most High God, in the birth of His Son, Jesus.
Immanuel. God with us. As human, He can empathize with us in our daily struggles. He knows, understands your pains, grief, struggles. Immanuel. God with us. When we admit we are sinners, in need of a Savior, faithfully trusting Jesus’ finish work at the cross and His resurrection. We now have the Holy Spirit living in us. Immanuel. God with us. Believers. Indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Living uprightly. Under the power of the Holy Spirit. Testifying of our Savior. Striving to be more like Him. Immanuel. God with us. We can pray to the Father. Feel His presence. Read His word. Seek His will.
Be comforted by these words: Immanuel. God with us.
O Come, O Come Immanuel*
1 O come, O come, Immanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
2 O come, O Wisdom from on high, who ordered all things mightily; to us the path of knowledge show and teach us in its ways to go. Refrain
6 O come, O Bright and Morning Star, and bring us comfort from afar! Dispel the shadows of the night and turn our darkness into light. Refrain
7 O come, O King of nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind. Bid all our sad divisions cease and be yourself our King of Peace. Refrain
Luke 2:8 “And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. “
“The angels sing, Peace on earth, good will to men, from heaven’s all gracious King.” Good news. The Messiah’s birth! Our Savior is here. Yet, as the song continues, we see men trodding on, the weight of life causing back breaking toil. One day looks just like another. The angels sing over earth’s Babel sounds- manmade idols to worship, false gospels that are preached. Man is weary. We are looking for peace, yet unable to find the peace that passes all understanding. “Look now! Hear the angels sing.” The prophets foretold of the coming Savior, Jesus. He came the first time as a lowly babe in a manger.
Have you received Him as Savior and Lord? Is He welcomed into your home as the centerpiece of your Christmas celebration? For as the song concludes, just as scripture says, He is coming back. The whole world will bow at His return. When “peace shall over all the earth, its ancient splendors fling.”
The angels sang at His first coming. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:13-14). The angels will sing at His second coming. “…the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:11b-12)
Let us come to Him. Rest in His presence. Hear the angels sing. Prepare your hearts to receive your King this Christmas. And may He be Lord of your life as the days move forward into the New Year.
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear *
1 It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold: “Peace on the earth, good will to men, from heaven’s all-gracious King.” The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing.
2 Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurled, and still their heavenly music floats o’er all the weary world; above its sad and lowly plains, they bend on hovering wing, and ever o’er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing.
3 And ye, beneath life’s crushing load, whose forms are bending low, who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow, look now! for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing. O rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing!
4 For lo! the days are hastening on, by prophet seen of old, when with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold when peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling, and the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing.
Micah 5:2 “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”
400 years of silence. No prophets speaking. Heaven is quiet. There is hope, however, as the pages of scripture speak of One who is coming. Their Messiah. On a quiet night, in a small town, a holy birth takes place. God’s gift to all men. As we hustle and bustle through the Christmas season, do we look for quiet moments? To still our hearts. To look heavenward, giving thanks to God for His precious Son, Jesus. We praise Him. We humble ourselves before Him. In the quiet stillness, our hearts repent of sin and receive Jesus as Savior. Shepherd us. Abide with us. Let Your light shine in our hearts as we proclaim Your name, Jesus.
1 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.
2 For Christ is born of Mary; and, gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond’ring love. O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth, and praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth.
3 How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is giv’n! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heav’n. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.
4 O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
Luke 2:4-5 “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.”
Joseph and Mary. Faithful ones. Separately told of the birth of a Son. The Son of God. Mary, upon hearing she is the chosen vessel to be used of God, replied saying, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) Joseph, resolved to divorce her quietly until the angel of the Lord visited him, explaining the virgin birth of Jesus. Joseph did as the Lord commanded him and took Mary as his wife. (Matthew 1:24)
Together, Mary and Joseph commit their marriage to God, honoring Him, travel to Bethlehem to give birth to their first born Son, Jesus. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
As we read about the birth of Jesus, we are reminded of our need of a Savior. By faith, upon hearing the gospel message, we believe and commit our ways to following Him. Living a devoted, faithful life of obedience is the mark of being a true Christian. Jesus will greet His children as He welcomes them into heaven with these words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23a)
O Come All Ye Faithful *
1 O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem! Come, and behold Him, born the King of angels!
Refrain: O come, let us adore Him; O come, let us adore Him; O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!
3 Sing, choirs of angels; sing in exultation; sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above! Glory to God, all glory in the highest![Refrain]
4 Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv’n! Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing! [Refrain]
Luke 2:17 “After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. “
The song, “Go Tell It On the Mountain” is an African American spiritual, adapted by John W. Work. The scripture reference is Luke 2:8-20 and Matthew 28:19. (hymnary.org)
Sheep. Shepherds. Nighttime. A seemingly ordinary evening. Doing their job. Keeping watch over their flocks. Suddenly, the ordinary turned extraordinary. Angels. Visible. Proclaiming. The truth of the angel’s message became sight when the shepherds heeded the angel’s proclamation and saw their Savior, the babe in the manger, in Bethlehem. The shepherds left, praising and glorifying God. But they did not keep this Good News to themselves. They made known the saying told them. They went and told everyone what had happened. They shared the Good News. We, too, are tasked with telling others the Good News. “Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
Let our message of Jesus be the center of our Christmas celebration and be proclaimed as we gather with friends and family this holiday season.
Go Tell It On the Mountain
Refrain: Go, tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere. Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born.
1. While shepherds kept their watching O’er silent flocks by night, Behold thru-out the heavens There shone a holy light.
2. The shepherds feared and trembled When lo! above the earth Rang out the angel chorus That hailed our Savior’s birth.
3. Down in a lowly manger The humble Christ was born, And God sent us salvation That blessed Christmas morn.*
Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
“Angels We Have Heard on High” is an English translation from French by James Chadwick (hymnary.org). Taken from the scriptures found in Luke 2:8-15.
Angels, God’s messengers. Proclaiming the Good News that the Savior, who is Christ the Lord, is born this day in Bethlehem. Shepherds. Hard working men. Caring for their flocks of sheep. Day and night. A nighttime worship service. A multitude of angels praising God. ““Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased. (Luke 2:14) Shepherds, after going to Bethlehem and seeing with their own eyes the baby lying in the manger, returned to their fields glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard. The Good News was proclaimed and heaven and earth worshipped God. “God’s glory was returning to earth in the person of His Son(John 1:14). That lowly manger was a Holy of Holies because Jesus was there!” (Warren Wiersbe)
When we sing “Angels We Have Heard on High” are you remembering Luke 2:8-15? As we sing about the birth of our Savior, let us worship with hearts full of praise, giving all glory to God. Thanking Him for sending His Son, Jesus, who is Christ the Lord!
1. Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o’er the plains, And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains.
Refrain: Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.
2. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heavn’ly song? [Refrain]
3. Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing. Come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn King. [Refrain]*
Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
Do you know a fixer? Someone who is a Jack of all trades and can fix anything. Or there is a problem and the fixer wants to provide the solution-all is well. Mankind had a problem in the garden. The fruit. Disobedience. Cast out. Now what? How do we fix this? Man couldn’t solve the problem. Satan wasn’t the fixer though he wanted them to think he was. God had the solution. He provided the answer. The problem was fixed. Jesus, the Son of God, born of a virgin, became the perfect blood sacrifice that remedied the separation of God and man.
Jesus is the Fixer. Man cannot redeem himself. Cannot do enough good to be in a right relationship with God. We have to go through Jesus. The Fixer fixed our problem. We are sinners in need of a Savior. He alone offers the free gift of salvation. As believers, we live a life desiring to please Him. How? By keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. “A fixed disposition of trust in the Lord brings a peace that the wicked can never know.” J. MacArthur
As we go through this Christmas season, let us remember why the Messiah came to earth in the first place. As we lift our voices up in song, let us keep our mind fixed on our Savior as we sing, “Joy to the world. The Lord has come. Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room. Let heaven and nature sing.”
Job 37:5 “God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.”
One car. Six adults. Six voices. One destination. Does the driver listen to the native voices who know the way but disagree on the best route? Does the driver listen to the GPS calling out directions? Finally, the driver focused on one voice in the car and made it to the destination quickly, calmly and without incident.
How many times in our own lives do we find ourselves needing to make a decision , a change. We ask friends, family, co-workers for advice. We may get conflicting answers. Whose voice do we listen to? Many voices, multiple opinions, one decision. Have we stopped to pray? To meditate on God’s word? To listen to the One voice that matters, whose direction and will we seek?
As Christians, we make many decisions throughout the day. Go here. Go there. Do this. Do that. From the minutiae to the massive, life brings many decisions of jobs, marriage, family. We need to hear from our Shepherd. He knows us. He sees us. He hears us. He cares for us. Let us make sure we are the sheep of His pasture, listening to the voice of our Shepherd. He leads, guides and directs our path when we listen to His voice. Is His voice the loudest voice you hear?
John 10:27-29 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”
