Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

The Annunciation to the Shepherds

c. 1555 - Oil on Canvas

Samuel H. Kress Collection, National Gallery of Art

***

I can't stop thinking about the fact that the Good News of the birth of the Savior of the world, that God became human to dwell among us, was first brought to the lowliest - the shepherds.  God did not first send His messengers with the Good News to the highest courts, the rich, and the famous. Angels appeared out of nowhere, to the middle of nowhere - to shepherds, who were understandably terrified at their sudden appearance.


'In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.' - Luke 2:8-11 NASB

Imagine - the angels were telling the shepherds that Jesus' birth was good news for ALL people, including them! '...there has been born for you a Savior...' They were personally being delivered a message of HOPE.

I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die
For poor on'ry people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander out under the sky

'...Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. '  - Philippians 2:6-11

 'He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.' - John 1:10-13 NIV

***

 

Pondering the amazing grace of God, who sent His one and only Son to rescue us from sin and death and give us a joyful, abundant life.


'Then Jesus again spoke to them saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.' - John 8:12 NASB

***

Hark! The herald angels sing
'Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled.' 

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace
Hail the Son of righteousness
Light and life to all he brings
Risen 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!'   

 

The Reason for the Season

Source

God rest ye merry, gentlemen

Let nothing you dismay

Remember, Christ, our Saviour

Was born on Christmas day

To save us all from Satan's power

When we were gone astray

O tidings of comfort and joy  

 

We've been reading the book, 'God Rest Ye Merry,' by Douglas Wilson. I thought I would insert this short excerpt for us to read and ponder during the Christmas season, reminding us that in spite of our personal financial, familial, or business circumstances, we truly have something worth celebrating!

***

'In one sense, of course, Jesus is the reason for the season. But in another fundamental sense, sin is the reason for the season. We have not entered into a season of feel-goodism, where we think about soft snow and candlelight, with silver bells in the distance. Remember Ramah weeping for her children, remember our abortion mills, remember how dark this world is without Christ, and then cling in faith to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Mary's only Savior is our only hope for salvation as well.

 Christ on the Cross

by Eugene Delacroix

National Gallery, London

'Second, we need to connect this with strong views of incarnationalism. Not only has Jesus destroyed the overt works of the devil, He has also thrown down the devil's philosophy, which maintains that we are all to be very, very 'spiritual.' But in the face of this false doctrine, God was made flesh. This means that we may build, sew, pick up a knife and fork, make love, spank our kids, shovel the walk and do all to the glory of God. Earthiness is not the gospel, but the gospel did come to earth. Earthiness is no savior, but earthiness is saved.

'And last, we glory in victory: He came to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found. God did not give His Son to die in order to fight against the world with futility. The incarnation was no temporary arrangement. The baby born at Bethlehem was given as the Savior of the world.'

***

And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.  - John 1:14

 God sent not  His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world, through Him, might be saved. - John 3:17

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8 

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5

***

'Fear not then,' said the Angel,
'Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Saviour
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  

 

 

May you have a wonderful Christmas,

celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ,

Who alone gives us Hope and a Future.