A PERSONAL NOTE
I really, really like the Christmas season. I mean, what's not to like? It's mind-boggling that the Almighty Lord of the Universe humbled Himself to born one of us. The Son of God became the Son of Man. He lived the holy life that none of us could live. He died the death that should have been ours, so that we might have forgiveness. He rose again from the dead on the third day, triumphant over sin, death, & Satan.
And one of the reasons it's my favorite time of year is because of the Christmas hymns--some of my favorite hymns. It seems a shame that we sing those hymns for only a week or two, then put them on the shelf for another year. We sang some of those hymns in church this morning. I hope you will indulge me as I share some of those hymns with you.
"Now sing we, not rejoice, Now raise to heav'n our voice; He from whom joy streameth Poor in a manger lies; Not so brightly beameth The sun in yonder skies. Thou my Savior art! Thou my Savior art!
"Oh, where shall joy be found? Where but on heav'nly ground? Where the angels singing With all His saints unite, Sweetest praises bringing I heav'nly joy & light. Oh, that we were there! Oh, that we were there!"
"Where shepherds lately knelt & kept the angel's word, I come in half-belief, a pilgrim strangely stirred; But there is room & welcome there for me, but there is room & welcome there for me."
"Hail, the heav'n-born Prince of Peace! Hail, the Sun of Righteousness! Light & life to all He brings, Ris'n with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, 'Glory to the newborn King!'"
"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.
"Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever & love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, And take us to heaven to live with Thee there."
"Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin mother mother & child. Holy Infant, so tender & mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace."
O Little Town of Bethlehem [St. 4, LSB #361]
"O holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, & 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 Immanuel."
"On Christmas night all Christians sing to hear the news the angels bring, On Christmas night all Christians sing to hear the news the angels bring, News of great joy, news of great mirth, News of our merciful King's birth."
"Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room And heav'n & nature sing, And heav'n & nature sing, And heav'n, & heav'n & nature sing.
"He rules the world with truth & grace And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders of His love."
SALVATION THROUGH NO ONE ELSE
"Jesus is my best Friend. Here is salvation, nowhere else! No other person, no matter how important he may be, is able to save you. Only Jesus can do that. He is the soul's Salvation, your true Savior. Firmly cling to Him." Herman A. Mayer, A Year with Jesus
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