Can you just imagine? Angels in the sky singing praises to the newborn King. Can you imagine? Shepherds singing in joyously? What is all this singing about? The angels and shepherds were making a big deal about the biggest deal to ever hit Bethlehem! Jesus was born. Come and see in Bethlehem! Come and bow down to the newborn King. Jesus is in the manger, and the choirs of angels are praising Him.
These phrases come from the song, Angels We Have Heard On High. Here are the words:
Angels We Have Heard On High by Edward Shippen Barnes, James Chadwick
Verse 1
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Chorus
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Verse 2
Shepherds why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?
Verse 3
Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ whose birth the angels sing
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord the newborn King
Verse 4
See Him in a manger laid
Whom the choirs of angels praise
Mary, Joseph lend your aid
While our hearts in love we raise
What a beautiful depiction of the heavenly choir announcing the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. Truly great joy as they sang Gloria in Excelesis Deo, which means Glory in the Highest!
Word of the Day: Luke 2:13-14
Song of the Day: Angels We Have Heard on High by Edward Shippen Barnes, James Chadwick
When one little Baby was born in Bethlehem, His new life was the entrance point of God’s plan for salvation. He came to bring not only peace, but great joy to the world. Have you ever noticed that even when you say His name, joy comes to your heart? Hearing the name of Jesus can even make you smile and calm your spirit all at the same time. This little Child born in a stable was given an incredible name. It is by His name that we are saved. His name is above all other names. It was magnificent and holy. It has more descriptive words used to define it than any other name ever given among men. It was amazing not only for what it meant, but that this Child would grow up to become. Even more amazing is the promise that He would give us, as His followers, His name to use – just as if He were speaking. At the very mention of His magnificent and holy name, every knee did bow, shepherds and kings bowed in reverence in His presence. A new star came to announce this baby named Jesus. There will come a day when everyone will recognize that the Baby born in Bethlehem was the One prophesied about in Is 9:6. “For unto us a child is born, to us a Son is given, … and His name shall be called, wonderful Counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.” Hearing His name would bring joy to the world.
This name is the name we call on to be saved. We use His name when we are in trouble. His name is the name we speak when we approach the Father in prayer. His name is the name that brings peaceful calm to situations that need His reassuring presence. There is nothing more that brings more joy to our hearts for us as believers during this holy season than to recognize that this magnificent and holy name given to baby Jesus, is still as powerful today as it was when it was given. Through the centuries, it hasn’t become less potent, or been diluted or watered down, or lost any of it’s magnificence or holiness from the day Jesus was given His awesome name. Jesus came to bring joy, and now as we celebrate His birth, let every mention of His name bring joy to your heart. Every time you use His name in prayer, remember not only His first entrance to the world, but also the day you were born again. New birth in a manger and new birth in your heart, bringing perfect peace!
Silent Night by Franz Xaver Gruber, John Freeman Young, Joseph Mohr
Verse 1
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
‘Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Verse 2
Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heav’nly hosts sing alleluia
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born
Verse 3
Silent night, holy night
Son of God love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus Lord at Thy birth
Jesus Lord at Thy birth
Christ the Savior is born
Words for the Day: Matt 1:21
Song of the Day: Silent Night by Franz Xaver Gruber, John Freeman Young, Joseph Mohr
When thinking about supernatural strength and provision in very natural circumstances, I couldn’t help but think of God’s plan of redeeming the world through a Baby in a manger, on a very quiet night. God’s very supernatural gift was wrapped up in very natural swaddling clothes and brought by special delivery to earth through a very humble girl in very natural circumstances. The baby born in a barn was the King of kings and Lord of lords. God’s great provision for mankind came in the form of a very tiny Baby. We also hold a very special treasure in a very earthen vessel. When we chose to serve and follow Jesus, the Spirit of God came to live on the inside of us. That really is incredible to think about….. our spirit being alive to God! We all live very natural lives, but we are carriers of an incredible, supernatural treasure on the inside. As we celebrate the arrival of a Baby on Christmas day, we can also anticipate God fulfilling His work in us. Truly we are all under construction, and each day we can become closer and closer to the masterpiece that He wants to create in us. Each day we can make choices that bring us to the place of reflecting Jesus through our lives. As we participate in Christmas celebrations, don’t forget to thank God for what He is already doing in you and those around you! We believe that very quietly God can be doing something amazing in you. He began a good work in you, will cause it to come to completion. We can see the work of Jesus in you – from a manger to Calvary.
The First Noel by Public Domain
Verse 1
The first Noel 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
Chorus
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel
Verse 2
They looked up and 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
Verse 3
And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far
To seek for a king was their intent
And to follow the star wherever it went
Verse 4
This star drew nigh to the northwest
O’er Bethlehem it took its rest
And there it did both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay
Verse 5
Then entered in those wise men three
Full rev’rently upon the knee
And offered there in His presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense
Word for the Day: Phil 1:6
Song of the Day: The First Noel by Public Domain
Shalom. What a lovely way to speak words of encouragement over everyone you meet. We know that when Jesus came, He came to bring peace in a world of turmoil, unrest and distress. He came to be the Prince of Peace, the counselor, and our mighty God. During the holiday season it is easy to get stressed out. It can be from all the activity, or even because of dreading spending time with relatives that are difficult, or even the stress of feeling the necessity to over spend to keep up a good image. Take a deep breath! Let me speak Shalom into your life. Let me speak peace to your soul. We really are too blessed to be stressed! We have the Prince of Peace living within us, so there is no reason to get stressed out or live in a state of frustration or turmoil during the holidays, or any time of the year. Can we learn to rest in the peace of God? Yes, we can! Peace is more than just a greeting, and more than just a sign we use to say we don’t like war, peace is an attitude that can prevail in our hearts and lives year round. Let’s live in a constant state of peace! Jesus came to fill in the missing pieces in our lives. He came to fix everything in our lives that was broken. Because He came to fill us, we can live in peace, radiate peace, and be peacemakers in a world that is empty and broken. So speak Shalom to your own soul, and then begin speaking it to those around you. Make this Advent more peace-filled than ever, and enjoy Christmas in the peace of God. We believe in SHALOM!
Away in a Manger by John Thomas McFarland, Martin Luther, William James Kirkpatrick
Verse 1
Away in a manger no crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay
Verse 2
The cattle are lowing the Baby awakes
But little Lord Jesus no crying He makes
I love Thee Lord Jesus look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle ’til morning is nigh
Verse 3
Be near me Lord Jesus I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever and love me I pray
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care
And fit us for heaven to live with Thee there
Word of the Day: Isaiah 9:6
Song of the Day: Away in a Manger by John Thomas McFarland, Martin Luther, William James Kirkpatrick
It was a peaceful, silent night when Jesus was born. I bet there was a holy hush in the stable. With amazing awe the shepherd and the wise men came to worship this new little babe, called the Prince of Peace. This week of Advent is all about Peace. We believe Jesus came to be bring peace….to our hearts, to our families, to our world. We think of Him as a peacekeeper, but you are peacekeeper too. That’s who we are as believers. Let the peace of God reign in you. Here is your Advent dailyeword.
In John 14:27, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you, not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” He was speaking of the Holy Spirit who was soon to come. He sent the Holy Spirit as the Comforter so we could have peace even in the midst of stress, strain, irritation or uncertainty. In the world you shall have tribulation (we live in a fallen world where there will be persecution), but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
The Prince of Peace had come. Our peace is found because a baby came to earth and is the result of resting in God. Rest is what restores our physical bodies, and peace is what restores our spirits. Rest and peace are often foreign to us, especially during the holidays. Busy is what we’re all too good at. Rest is what we need to be good at! For believers, we should live in a constant state of peace! Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace, and it means nothing missing and nothing broken. Life shouldn’t be a busy irritation, it should be peaceful, rest-filled, and restoring our to our souls, full and complete.
How do we get to Shalom in the midst of the daily hassles especially during the holidays? Peace comes when we choose love over hate, joy over frustration, patience over irritability, kindness over being mean spirited, goodness over revenge, faithfulness over manipulation, gentleness over harshness, and self-control over indulgence. Peace is the result! Peace is what we pray for especially during the holidays. We want peace in our homes, in our communities, in our nation and for the world. Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Peace by Michael McDonald, Beth Nielsen Chapman
Verse 1
I have come from so far away
Down the road of my own mistakes
In the hope You could hear me pray
Oh Lord, keep me in Your reach
Verse 2
How I’ve longed through these wasted years
To outrun all the pain and fear
Turned to stone from my uncried tears
And now it’s Your grace I seek
Chorus 1
Love won’t compromise
It’s a gift, it’s a sacrifice
My soul renewed and my heart released
In You, I’ll find my peace
Verse 3
Wondrous Child of whom the angels sing
Know my joy, feel my suffering
Shining star make this love You bring
So bright that I may believe
Chorus 2
That my way will not be lost
From now on, ’til that river’s crossed
My soul renewed, and my spirit free
In You I’ll find my peace
Word of the Day: John 14:27
Song of the Day: Peace by Michael McDonald, Beth Nielsen Chapman
We believe that a Baby born on that blessed night would give us the greatest gift of love ever, eternal life. The Promised One that the world was waiting for had arrived. He made His entrance in a manger, and then He made an entrance in our heart. Both were not perfect, but both were a place to call home. A stable for a baby? Not the best nursery. But at home in our heart? The best place to call home. When we welcome Him into our hearts, He brings peace to a violent world, healing to an earth under a curse, and salvation to us. Welcome Him into every part of our lives. One reason I love Christmas so much is because, even for a small section of the year, people use the name Jesus, and talk about His birth without restraint. We can walk the malls and hear Silent Night, or O Holy Night, and know they are talking about Jesus, when He was first welcomed to the earth. He made His entrance as a fragile little baby, to be the One to save humanity. He was the perfect Son of God, filled with love, we believe! Welcome to our World.
Welcome to Our World by Chris Rice
Verse 1
Tears are falling
Hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You’ve been promised
We’ve been waiting
Welcome holy Child
Welcome holy Child
Verse 2
Hope that You don’t mind our manger
How I wish we would have known
But long-awaited holy Stranger
Make Yourself at home
Please make Yourself at home
Verse 3
Bring Your peace
Into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking heaven’s silence
Welcome to our world
Welcome to our world
Verse 4
Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born
Unto us is born
Verse 5
So wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy
Perfect Son of God
Perfect Son of God
Welcome to our world
Word of the Day: Phil 3:20
Song of the Day: Welcome To Our World by Chris Rice
We believe that Love arrived in the form of a baby at Christmas. It is an interesting word study to just look up all the scriptures that talk about love, and read them one after another. Here are some of them:
We get a deposit of God’s love on the inside of us (Rom 5:5)
The love of God is abounding to us (I Thess 3:12),
Love is sincere (Rom 12:9),
Love is unselfish (Matt 22:39),
Love is impartial (Deut 10:19),
Love is fervent (I Peter 1:22),
Love is compelling (2 Cor 5:14),
Love is divine (John 15:9),
Love is self-sacrificing (John 15:13)
And love is sacrificial (Gal 2:20)
All of God’s love is deposited into our spirit!
Love arrived in a manger. That is just a short list of the adjectives that describe the love of God. And that is just a short list of the attributes of love that can (and should) be found in us. So even after Advent is over, make these adjectives the way you love others. While talking about parts of speech, it really is important to remember that love is a VERB. After that, I hope that we are getting what love really is. Love is more than just a feeling, more than just words. Love is an action. If we really love, we serve. God’s love on the inside of us is there just for that. Whether we are in a relationship or just being neighborly, God’s love in us compels us to serve others. What is so great about serving others is that it not only helps them, it helps us too! This Advent, are you loving sacrificially and sincerely? Then the natural result is service! Let’s love enough to serve others!
What Child is This? By William Chatterton Dix, Unknown
Verse 1
What Child is this who laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
The Babe the Son of Mary
Verse 2
Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian fear for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through
The cross be borne for me for you
Hail, hail the Word made flesh
The Babe the Son of Mary
Verse 3
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh
Come peasant king to own Him
The King of kings salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone Him
Raise, raise the song on high
The Virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born
The Babe the Son of Mary
Word of the Day: Romans 5:5
Song of the Day: What Child is This? By William Chatterton Dix, Unknown
The love chapter in I Corinthians 13 is often read at weddings and is rarely quoted at Christmas. But love is at the center of Christmas. Mary birthed the Son of God who was LOVE. We believe God is love, and He sent Jesus to the world, because of love. We are to love with His same kind of love. These descriptions of love should be how we treat others on a daily basis. Here’s a reminder from I Cor. 13:4-8 of the kind of ways we show love to them:
By operating in patience
By being kind
By not being proud, boastful or envious
By not being rude
By not being self seeking (or selfish)
By not being easily angered
And not keeping a list of wrongs
By not being happy when evil happens to others
But rejoicing when truth prevails
We protect, trust, hope and persevere for those we love
When we act that way, love will never fail. Love is not just something that we say; it really is something that we do. What a great truth, if you love God, you will do something – (I John 3:18). Well, since love is our focus during this week of Advent, why don’t you do something about it! And then try to do something about it, every day of the year. Love lavishly! We believe because of Jesus, that is what we are on the earth to do.
Mary Did You Know? By Buddy Greene, Mark Lowry
Verse 1
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?
Verse 2
Mary did you know
That your baby boy
Would give sight to the blind man?
Mary did you know
That your baby boy
Would 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’ve kissed the face of God?
Oh Mary did you know?
Bridge
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
Verse 3
Oh 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
And the sleeping Child you’re holding
Is the great I Am?
Oh Mary, oh
Word of the Day: I John 3:18
Song of the Day: Mary Did You Know? By Buddy Greene, Mark Lowry
What does love look like? Has the little Baby in a manger affected how you love? Are you living a hope filled life, excited about the possibilities in your future? Have you experienced the joy of the Lord that is only found in Jesus? We believe we can be changed from the inside out because of God’s love penetrating your heart. We believe we can be fully loved, and fully love others. Jesus has come to make His home in us. My prayer is that this is a meaningful Advent season for you and your loved ones, and that you are growing daily in your walk with God. I pray that your daily rituals include spending time with God, and getting fed by his Word! We make time for natural things daily, so let’s do the same thing for our spirit. We believe we can be washed by the Word and feed on it daily to make a positive change in our attitudes and our actions. You don’t have to feel like change happens for everyone else but you. You are not the exception to the rule. The Word states that if we give ourselves daily to the word, to worship and to fellowship, we will become more like Jesus. Isn’t that our goal? Isn’t that a noble goal for Advent? Let’s put it into practice this Christmas. We have the light of the world living within, and we don’t have to let the glow fade. Let it shine, and let the warmth of God’s love permeate even the hardest hearts of those you know. He has made His home in you. We believe that His Spirit lives in you to change your world.
This is Love by Kathryn Scott, Paul Baloche
Verse 1
Heaven’s splendor left behind
The King of glory born to die
God and man to reconcile
You came to offer up Your life
Chorus
This is love, this is love
Incarnate King, begotten Son
This is love, this is love
You choose to make Your home in us
Verse 2
Worship fell that holy night
Angel voices filled the sky
Lowly shepherds raised their eyes
Following the star so bright
Word of the Day: I Cor. 6:19
Song of the Day: This is Love by Kathryn Scott, Paul Baloche
What can I give to Him? Have you ever asked yourself that question? What can we as mere mortals, give to the most wonderful, loving, amazing, incredible Lord of Love? Whenever I think about that question, I know that He loves worship, because He inhabits (or lives in) our praises, so He loves to hear us praise and worship Him. We also know He wants us to love lavishly, loving others as we love ourselves. We believe that the best things we can give Him is our heart. As I study the nativity story each Christmas, it becomes more meaningful and my heart becomes more open to what God wants for me personally, for our family, and for our church family. It really isn’t about the decorations and lights that we associate with Christmas as much as it is about receiving a gift of love from God. Once we first believe on Jesus, the most precious gift who demonstrated the greatest act of love ever, we get the opportunity to do the very same thing. We choose to love God, love people and love this amazing life we have. Jesus was a gift of love wrapped in flesh, clothed with humanity, and destined for greatness all because He wanted us in His family. Such great love! We Believe! What can you give Him? Give Him your heart! Glory in the Highest!
Glory in the Highest by Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves, Matt Redman
Verse 1
You are the first
You go before
You are the last
Lord You’re the encore
Your name’s in lights for all to see
The starry host declare Your glory
Chorus 1
Glory in the highest
Glory in the highest
Glory in the highest
Verse 2
Apart from You
There is no God
Light of the world
The bright and Morning star
Your name will shine for all to see
You are the One
You are my glory
Bridge 1
And no one else
Could ever compare to You Lord
All the earth together declares
Chorus 2
Glory in the highest
Glory in the highest
Glory in the highest to You Lord
To You Lord
(2X)
Bridge 2
All the earth will sing Your praise
The moon and stars the sun and rain
Ev’ry nation will proclaim
That You are God and You will reign
Glory, glory hallelujah
Glory, glory to You Lord
Glory, glory hallelujah
Hallelujah
Word of the Day: Psalms 22:3
Song of the Day: Glory in the Highest by Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves, Matt Redman