Joy to the world - Chris Tomlin

A day to celebrate and remember! The angels announce in Luke 2:10 (NIV)

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."

God instructs his people to many annual days of celebration in the Old Testament. The primary purpose is to remember. Remember God's goodness. Remember His provision. Remember a miracle. And having a party with a giving spirit is part of all that!

Check out Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)

Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Today I want to remember God's goodness and provision. And I want to celebrate with my family.

Joy to the World!

Merry Christmas!

Silent Night - Casting Crowns

A fire was ebbing to a soft glow in the fireplace. The tree was lit and soft Christmas music soothed me. Everyone else in the house was in bed. I ruminated on the meaning of Christmas. This is a personal holiday tradition for 25+ years. In the quiet beauty of the soft glow of Christmas lights in darkness with hot chocolate I find my best meditations on the true meaning of Christmas.

The Bible says a lot about quietness and a still heart before God. Perhaps I need to do this more than one night a year!

Lamentations 3:26 (NIV)

It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD

Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

I Peter 3:4 (NLT)

You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

Find a quiet moment this Christmas. Plan for it. Still your heart.

Oh come let us adore him.

Come.

Sweet Little Jesus Boy - Casting Crowns

Sweet little Jesus boy,

born in a manger

Sweet little Holy child,

we didn't know who You were

In September we visited Tucson, AZ. In that desert region indigenous plants have prickers. It is a protective mechanism in nature. Life conditions are harsh and they protect their hoarded moisture.

This song, sung by Casting Crowns today, sings:

This world treats You mean Lord

Treats me mean too

But that's how things are done down here

We didn't know it was You

Conditions in this world are harsh. This song, an old Spiritual from Slave days in our land, reflects the cruelty of life. Life has its seasons. Some seasons like winter, are bleak, dark and cold. Sometimes the holidays themselves become a time of depression.

Galatians 4:3 (NLT)

And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world.

But Emmanuel, ("God with us") has come into the world. Can you believe it? He came to experience the harshness of life, the anger, the abuse and pain of this world. He truly wanted to be with us and understand our world. And ultimately to experience death by wicked hands. As a perfect sacrifice for all our sins.

Ephesians 2:16 (The Message)

Christ brought us together through his death on the cross. The Cross got us to embrace, and that was the end of the hostility. Christ came and preached peace... Through him we both share the same Spirit and have equal access to the Father.

As I meditate on the Sweet Little Jesus Boy, one word comes to my mind.

Thankful.

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Kutless

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, goodwill to men

From heavens all gracious King!"

The world in solemn stillness lay

To hear the angels sing.

Kutless sings today about the angel visit proclaiming the glorious coming of the Christ child.

I am looking forward to our Christmas Eve candlelight service. It is always a highlight to sing softly in a darkened chapel dwelling on the birth of God who became man in the form of a baby. It is a peaceful moment, echoing the angel's message - Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men.

Luke 2: 13-14 (NIV)

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Philippians 4: 6-7 (NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Lord, oh Prince of Peace; Grant me peace this day. I will bring you all that is on my heart. Quiet me with gentleness and mercy. Thank you for the promise of peace. Amen.

This Baby - Steven Curtis Chapman

This morning I told my husband that Christmas is my favorite season. I love it spiritually and I also love the decorations, giving presents, and re-connecting with friends.

But what is it about this baby?

This baby was the portal to my personal walk with God. This baby grew into a young man who taught, and healed, and went on to the cross. His work on the cross bought my freedom from sin. And his return to life everlasting brought me hope for eternal life!

Yes indeed, Jesus went on to grow into a nice young man.

Luke 2:51-52 (The Message)

So he went back to Nazareth with them, and lived obediently with them. His mother held these things dearly, deep within herself. And Jesus matured, growing up in both body and spirit, blessed by both God and people.

Steven Curtis Chapman has a delightful song about Jesus as a baby who got new teeth. Jesus who climbed trees and had fun as a little boy. But this baby also made the angels sing, and made the stars to shine! And ultimately changed the world... and changed my heart.

I'm posting all the words today because I think they are powerful!

Well, He cried when He was hungry,
Did all the things that babies do;
He rocked and He napped on His mother’s lap,
And He wiggled and giggled and cooed.

There were the cheers when He took His first step,
And the tears when He got His first teeth;
Almost everything about this little baby
Seemed as natural as it could be.

CHORUS
But this baby made the angels sing,
And this baby made a new star shine in the sky.
This baby had come to change the world.
This baby was God’s own son,
this baby was like no other one.
This baby was God with us,
this baby was Jesus.

And this baby grew into a young boy,
Who learned to read and write and wrestle with dad;
There was the climbin’ of trees and the scrapin’ of knees,
And all the fun that a boy’s born to have.

He grew taller and some things started changing,
Like His complexion and the sound of His voice;
There was work to be done as a carpenter’s son
And all the neighbors said He’s such a fine boy.

Repeat CHORUS

This boy became a man,
And love made Him laugh and death made Him cry.
With the life that He lived and the death that He died,
He showed us heaven with His
hands and His heart,

‘Cause this man was God’s own son.
This man was like no other one,
Holy and human right from the start.

Repeat
CHORUS

What Child Is This? ZOEgirl

Luke 2:7 (NLT)

[Mary (v.5)] gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

Today is the last Sunday before Christmas. The 4th Sunday of Advent. As Christians all around the world worship together, I meditate on this baby Jesus... Christ the King. He is my Savior, my friend. The one to whom I bring all my heartaches and longings. And He is worthy of our worship!

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring him laud,

The Babe, the Son of Mary!

Until the Whole World Hears - Casting Crowns

Lord I want to feel your heart

and see the world through your eyes

I want to be your hands and feet

I want to live a life that leads

..."Until the Whole World Hears"

sung by Casting Crowns

This song implores us to see the world as Jesus sees it. Didn't God do the opposite? He sent Jesus as a baby to the earth to see the world through our eyes, and experience life as a human. And to show us the way to be right with God.

Hebrews 4: 15

[Jesus the Son of God (v 14)] tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.

The song, one of the top on the Christian music charts right now, goes on to exhort us:

Ready yourselves. Let us shine the light of Jesus in the darkest night

Jesus was born in a dark, cold stable at night. But that newborn went on to give light to the world. I have been in caves where they ask everyone to turn off the lights. Today, with lit watches and other LCD lights on phones and cameras, it is almost impossible to have total darkness. But when one flashlight comes on, even that small light shines brightly in a dark place. The Christ child came to show us that in the darkest of times and places, even a tiny light shines bright.

Phil 2:15

"children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.

Be a light where ever you are this season. Even a small light shines in a dark place.

Christmas Shoes - Newsong

Several years ago, the song "Christmas Shoes" sung by Newsong, became a popular Christmas tune. It is about a young boy who wants to buy shoes for his mother who is days away from dying, with all the money he has.

Our family just can't listen to that song. You see, I came into the family about 3 years after they lost their beloved wife and mother, Donna. That song could have been about our son, Bob, who has a heart of gold, and would give it away if it was necessary.

In the song, the narrator sings -

I knew I'd caught a glimpse of heaven's love
As he thanked me and ran out
I knew that God had sent that little boy
To remind me
just what Christmas is all about

The little boy showed love and sacrifice. Truly this is why the baby Jesus came. For love and for sacrifice. For me. For you.

I Timothy 1:15 (NLT)

This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all.

Our family, then and now, knew this truth and we've embraced it. With that, we have the hope of the resurrection! Thanks be to God!

Revelation Song - Phillips, Craig, and Dean

Shepherds hear the song of the Angels. Sheep bleat. A young shepherd may have grabbed a newborn lamb to keep warm under his cloak.

Little did they know that the newborn baby they would rush to see would be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

This may have been one of the Angel's songs that night, from Revelation 5:2, but the shepherds had no idea.

Revelation 5:12

In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"

Our song today is the hauntingly beautiful "Revelation Song" sung by the pastor trio, Phillips, Craig and Dean.

Worthy is the,
Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song,
to Him who sits on
Heaven's Mercy Seat

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is,
and is to come
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!

You are my everything,
And I will adore You…!
Yeah!

Sing, Sing, Sing - Chris Tomlin

Shepherds in the fields were quickly informed by an angel of the birth of Jesus. Suddenly the heavens were filled with the glory of God, better than any surround sound known today.

Luke 2:13-14 (The Message)

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

Praise Him today with Chris Tomlin's powerful praise song, "Sing, Sing Sing."

Sing, sing, sing
And make music with the heavens
We will sing, sing, sing
Grateful that You hear us
When we shout your praise
Lift high the name of Jesus

What's not to love about You?
Heaven and earth adore You
Kings and kingdoms bow down Son of God,
You are the One
You are the one

Mary Did You Know? - Kutless

It smells in the stable. But Mary doesn't notice.

It is cold outside. But Mary is clutching a warm baby's body next to her. They share each other's warmth.

It is very dark with only a small olive oil lamp burning in a corner now. But she she can only gaze in wonder at the newborn in her arms.

Her body is tired from the convulsions and trauma of giving birth. But she doesn't feel that anymore. Instead she feels the beating heart of a baby against her breast, with skin so soft. Smooth as a baby's bottom they say.

The Messiah. The Son of God, the angel had told her.

Luke 2:19

Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Kutless sings "Mary Did You Know"

Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water? Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you've 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 a storm with his hand? Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod? And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

The blind will see, the deaf will hear and 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 will one day rule the nations? Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb? This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am.

I can only ask myself the same thing. I shall ponder today that this friend of mine... Jesus my Savior, is all that.

The Little Drummer Boy - Jars of Clay

Come. Come to the manger. Bring to the Christ Child whatever you have in your hand.

The little drummer boy, of the well known Christmas song, doesn't appear in the Bible. But in the song, he wants to do something for Jesus. He realizes that the drum in his hand might be used to soothe the newborn baby. Could he have heard these Old Testament passages at the synagogue exhorting us to use what we have to glorify God?

Exodus 4:2 (NLT)

The Lord asked him, “What is that in your hand?”“A shepherd’s staff,” Moses replied.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV)

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.

Listen with me as Jars of Clay sings "The Little Drummer Boy."

Come, they told me (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
A newborn king to see (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
Our finest gifts we bring (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
To lay before the king (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
So, to honor Him (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
When we come

Come. And whatever you find in your hand, honor Him with it. And do it with all your might.

My Soul Magnifies the Lord - Chris Tomlin

Chris Tomlin has a new Christmas album. The song, "My Soul Magnifies the Lord" kicks us off into the last 2 weeks of Advent. It is time to look more closely at the manger.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was at first terrified, then awed when an angel told her she would carry the Son of God, the Messiah, in her womb. When she finally grasped it, she was overtaken by worship. She burst into a beautiful Psalm of praise- an amazing oration considering she was a teenage Jewish girl from a poor household.

Luke 1:46-49 (NKJV)

"My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.

Chris Tomlin's song reminds me that I too, can worship Him. He has done great things for me. I can hardly begin counting the things He has done for me.

My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord
My soul magnifies the Lord
He has done great things for me
Great things for me

He Is - Mark Schultz

If you're like me, you think about Mary of the Christmas story, pondering the wonder of the Christ Child, God and man, in her arms.

But today I wonder what God thought at that moment? He was the daddy. He knew Jesus since, well, forever! And this was a special moment He had been waiting for this moment for many millennium. He was pleased!

Mark 1:11 (NIV)

A voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

Hebrews 13:8 (NLT)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Revelation 4:8 (NLT)

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”

Our song today, "He Is,"sung by Mark Schultz reminds us of this very thing.

He is
He was
And He always will be

He lives
He loves
he's always with me
Even when it feels like there is no one holding me
Be still, my soul
Be still, and know
Be still, my soul
He is

City On Our Knees - Toby Mac

"City on Our Knees" – by TobyMac

Love will fall to the earth like a crashing wave

That love that falls to the earth like a crashing wave is the Christ Child, who came into the world as God in the flesh.

I John 4:2 (NIV)

This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that
acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God

This is what Christmas is all about. God became man to show us His love in a very tangible way. So He could identify with us and walk in our ways. Then ultimately to give his life for us so we might live. This is the real Christmas moment. The Babe in the Manger is the ultimate crashing wave of God's love.

Tonight’s the night
For the sinners and the saints
Two worlds collide in a beautiful display
It’s all love tonight
When we step across the line
We can sail across the sea
To a city with one king
A city on our knees
A city on our knees
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

How He Loves - David Crowder Band

The amazing paradox of Christmas is that Jesus, born of the virgin Mary, is fully God and fully man at the same time. In the popular worship song, "How he loves" – sung by the David Crowder Band, the second verse states:

Heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,

And oh, how He loves us so, Oh how He loves us, How He loves us all

This truth of God becoming fully man is described in John 1:14 (NLT)

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of
unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the
Father’s one and only Son.

What great love.

Oh, how He loves us so, Oh how He loves us, How He loves us all

Hold My Heart - Tenth Avenue North

It's Christmas and I wait. I wait for a parking place. I wait in line at the store. I wait at the airport for a delayed flight. I wait.

Simeon, an old man, saw baby Jesus and said in Matthew 2:29-30 (NIV)

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation."

In other words - "Lord, I have waited my entire life for the Messiah. You promised he'd come... but it was a long wait. Now I can die. I have seen your salvation with my eyes."

There's a song called "Hold My Heart" sung by Tenth Avenue North, that describes the agonizing wait for God to act.

How long must I pray, must I pray to You?
How long must I wait, must I wait for You?
How long 'til I see Your face,
see You shining through?
I'm on my knees,
begging You to notice me.
I'm on my knees,
Father will You turn to me?

Jesus has come into the world. Salvation has come. His comfort is near.

As the song concludes:

If You're everything You say You are
Would You come close and hold my heart

You are Holy (Prince of Peace) - Michael W Smith

"Christmas Vacation" with Chevy Chase lampoons the stress of the Christmas holiday. I feel that stress when I go shopping and can't find a parking place. Then the line, for the laundry soap I need today, is 10 people deep.

How ironic that during a very frenzied time for us, Christmas is about the Prince of Peace. The verse from yesterday proclaimed the Old Testament prophesy that the Messiah would come to be our Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 (NLT)

For a child is born to us,a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called:Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

And the words of Jesus to us in John 14:27 (NLT)

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

I need that peace. You need that peace. Let's wrap our minds around this great promise.

Michael W Smith's worship song, You are Holy (Prince of Peace) is a reminder of the reason for the season. The Christ came into the world to give us peace that lasts forever.

He's Emmanuel
He's the great "I AM"
He's my Prince of Peace
Who is the Lamb

He's the living God
He's my saving grace
He will reign forever
He is ancient of days

He's the Alpha, Omega, Beginning and End
He's my Savior, Messiah, Redeemer, and friend

He's my Prince of Peace and I will live my life for you.

I'd Need a Savior - Among the Thirsty

Great Christmas imagery can be found in Contemporary Christian Music!
I’d need a Savior – sung by Among the Thirsty

Your name is Jesus
Your name is Jesus
You're the wonderful, counselor,
my friend You're what I hold on to
I know that You brought me through
All the days of loss and to the cross,
You knew That I'd need a Savior

This song lifts words from the great prophetic passage in Isaiah 9 about the coming of the Christ Child.

Isaiah 9:6 (NLT)

For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his
shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

O Come All Ye Faithful - Third Day

While visiting Rome last January, we happened upon St. Peter's square Sunday noon for the Pope's address. The crowds that gathered were fascinating to watch. Youth groups from around the world were there with banner in various languages. Groups of nuns and monks scurried about. People of all skin color watched in anticipation at the Pope's apartment window.

There is another kind of gathering described in Revelation 15:4:

Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone
are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts
have been revealed."

Our song today, sung by the group Third Day, O Come All Ye Faithful invites us to come. There's our Advent word - "Come." Come to Jesus. Gather together with other believers on this Sunday. Be joyful. Adore Him!

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.

Lead Me to the Cross - Hillsong United

Today's song, "Lead Me to the Cross" reminds us that God took on human flesh.

You were as, I tempted and trialed, human Word became flesh, bore my sin and
death Now You're risen, yeah

"Word became flesh." God left His nice comfy heavenly clouds and infinite, beautiful light. He came to the earth in the form of a baby into a Middle Eastern lower class family. They called him Jesus, which means "to save."

Philippians 2:6-8 puts it this way (the Message)

He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.

Hillsong United rightly sing us into worship of this amazing act of God.

And lead me to the cross where Your love poured out
And bring me to my knees, Lord, I lay me down
And rid me of myself, I belong to You
Oh lead me, oh, lead me, lead me to Your heart

Lead me to Your heart
Lead me to Your heart
Lead me to Your heart

Come, Now Is The Time to Worship - Hillsong United

Once I got a gold embossed invitation to attend a Ball. I started thinking about that fairytale night and thinking about, of course, what I would wear. There was excitement in the preparation and anticipation!

We are invited in this Contemporary Worship classic by Brian Doerksen to come worship God. How appropriate this is for Advent.

Wikipedia defines Advent in this way:

Advent (from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming") is a season observed in many Western Christian Churches, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. (Italics mine).

Come, Now Is The Time to Worship

Come, now is the time to worship
Come, now is the time to give your heart
Come, just as you are to worship
Come, just as you are before your God
Come

I Chronicles 16:29

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come
before him; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

Come. Worship.

Held - Natalie Grant

Life is not fair. There are things we don't understand. But then, the Christ Child was born into a very, very cold stable in the night. What a rude awakening from the womb. Well, what a rude awakening from the glory of heaven.

But just as Mary, the mother of Jesus clutched him to her chest and tried to keep him warm, we are now held closely by Him through all our days. He came into the world. He walked on rough paths. He knew pain.

Natalie Grant's song, "Held" describes His dear love for us.

Who told us we'd be rescued?
What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares?
We're asking why this happens
To us who have died to live?
It's unfair.

Chorus:
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

He came. He came to hold us.

Hebrews 13:5

God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

There Will be a Day - Jeremy Camp

As I look forward to Christmas, I am thankful that Christ came into the world. The song,"There will be a day" by Jeremy Camp describes that life has its struggles.
He begins his song singing:

I try to hold on to this world with everything I have
But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that tries to grab The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares this truth, That we will enter in this rest with wonders anew
But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering

And yet, because of Christ in my life, I know that I can look forward to a very special day. Christmas is just a day to commemorate God's love in sending Him! But the very special day is when we will see Him face to face!

There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, We'll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we'll hold on to you always

Revelation 21:4

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

O Come O Come Emmanuel - Casting Crowns

Welcome to the season of Advent!

The word Advent goes back to the Latin root meaning "Coming." For centuries in Church History, it marks the period of time before Christmas when people who love God prepare their hearts for Christmas. It is a time to let your mind dwell on the coming of Christ into the world, which we commemorate on December 25th every year. It is amazing to think of His entrance as a babe into the world.

This time can also be for considering the joy of Christ in your life.

John 11:27

"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

Today we are featuring the group Casting Crowns, singing "O Come O Come Emmanuel."