Category Archives: Advent

Advent 2015 – days 19 – 26 part 1

In 2016, Advent is 28 days long.
In 2017, advent is 22 days long.

What? 26 days of Advent?,
Isn’t Advent 24 days before Christmas, on the 25th?

The length of Advent changes every year – based on the date of Thanksgiving. Advent is the first Sunday after Thanksgiving, or the fourth Sunday preceding Christmas. In 2017, for example, Thanksgiving does not fall on the last Thursday, but the fourth Thursday of November, and the fifth Thursday is Nov 30. That year, the 1st Sunday of Advent is Dec 3rd – making that Advent only 22 days long.

Thank you Catholic Resources – Advent!

The longest Advent is 28 days.
The shortest is 22(I think).

This blog is going to be about the characters in the Christmas story. Use it however you would like.

Mary, Joseph, Jesus & Bethlehem, then the second half; the Star, the Angels, and the Shepherds

Away in the Manger

Away in the Manger

Mary
Advent day 19

Holy Family

Holy Family

By all accounts, a young girl, Mary was chosen to marry a man, named Joseph.

But even before her was Elizabeth and Zacharias.
They had been waiting for a child.
Zacharias received a very special message during his service to the Lord in Luke 1:5 and following. This child was going to announce the coming of the Messiah!
An Angel messenger.

Luke 1:26-27

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

Sixth month of what? Elizabeth’s pregnancy!

What did the Angel say?
Luke 1:28

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

Thou that art highly favoured – favor and grace
The Lord is with thee: – with – as in WITH? an unheard of position.
blessed art thou among women. – above Rachel and Leah by whom Jews had been blessing their daughters for centuries!
She is one that Loves her God!

She’s told she will have a child…with no male intervention. This means that she will be seen as a harlot. This is punishable by death. Maybe this is why it’s angel GABRIEL! that came to speak to her! But, her response is a beautiful statement of complete yeildedness to God’s plan, no matter what.
Luke 1:38

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

The Angel sends her on her way to Elizabeth’s – the babe in Elizabeth’s womb jumps for joy, and Mary sings what has gone down in history as her Magnificat.

Luke 1:46-55

She raises the Son of God – her story continues to the day he dies. She was a person, just like me, that said yes to God.

The key to me in this is am I willing to be embarassed at least, persecuted to death at the most for something that God has told me I should do. Now, Mary did get some evidence pretty soon that she was going to have a baby – but she also knew that she hadn’t been with a man. I, on the other hand, just have the strange visions, notions, or thoughts that God might want me to do things…and I often beg out because I am embarrassed. Mary’s reputation was on the line, and it was even brought up to Jesus years later. And she said yes!

Joseph
Day 20

Holy Family wood

Holy Family wood

Joseph.
A Carpenter.
Asked for Mary’s hand in marriage.
we know he is a Godly, compassionate man, for when his bride to be is found with child(and has some cockamammy story about being impregnated by God), he decided to divorce her quietly – so she won’t be stoned. Or would she? Anyway – he’d made his decision, and he got visited by an angel!
Matthew 1:18-25
Joseph was told that he was the stepfather to the Son of God. And he was to name him Jesus, God with us. or was it Immanuel?
The folks over at Christian Apologetics and Research have a great explanation of the two names of Jesus and why. I won’t go into it!

Joseph provides the flesh and blood father that protects Jesus when they have to flee to Egypt. He provides training for Jesus and provides for the family as a carpenter. Apparently, he, also, was chosen for his role in Christ’s life, and by taking Mary into his home as his wife, and not ‘knowing’ her as was his biblical right, Joseph said yes to God!

The angel thing again. But seriously, if I met an angel that told me that such and thus was going to happen, especially if I had been in bed, I would second guess myself. Of course, Mary was with child. Joseph could believe or not believe. but he said yes. I believe.

https://youtu.be/BARVAg0gl6w

https://youtu.be/PytP9XPhP1g

Jesus
Advent day 21

Away in the Manger

Away in the Manger

The best way to describe Jesus, is through the Word of God:

Is 9:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Zacharias prophesied Jesus’ purpose, to which his son John would proclaim in Luke 1:67 and following.

John poetically describes Christ in John 1:1-18 – describing the difference again between Jesus, and the prophet John.

Jesus – Son of God, Son of Man, Savior of the World.

https://youtu.be/MC9cbEHjvPs

Of course, before Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph had to get to Bethlehem.

Bethlehem

Bethlehem

Advent day 22

Yes, Bethlehem IS a character in this Christmas story, because it was foretold that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem.
Micah 5:2

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Bethlehem wasn’t a large city…but it was the city of David’s birth.
During the taxing, everyone had to go to the city of their ancestors birth to be counted. Luke 2:1-7

This is where we learn that she had to go, ‘great with child’ and that ‘there was no room for them at the inn.’
They key for Christmas here is the question, is there room for Jesus in MY heart…or does he get left out in the stable?

This gets us almost to Christmas Day.(in 2015)
if you added these four to the previous 18, you are at day 22 – the shortest of the Advent seasons. I will be providing another set – Star, Angels, Shepherds and Magi to make it to the 26th day of Advent next.

Love nativity

Love nativity

My prayer this Advent season was to become more aware of Christ in My life, and to make sure that he dwells in my heart – not on the outskirts of my life. I pray that this is your prayer as well.

For the rest of these, go to Advent 2015 part 2

More Advent Devotions

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media!
I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Advent 2015 day 1 – tree craft ideas

Advent Day 1 is the First Sunday of Advent.
From our second celebration of Christmas as a family, we utilized the book “Celebrate While We Wait” by the Shroeder family, published by Concordia. ISBN 0-570-03052-8.

The first Sunday, we put up the tree. I wrote about the Tree in Advent 2015 Day 1.

When the children were little, we would put up the tree, and read “The Jesus Tree”, by Annetta E. Dellinger
For those that might be interested, there is an Activity Book that has many fun activities, but with our other Advent devotional, we never really used it. It does contain the list of scriptures that we used for the Advent Chain! Many of the Activities would also go hand in hand with the Celebrate While We wait, such as creating ornaments for symbols of Christ.

Another craft that we never got to was to do a Jesse Tree Advent.
Searching for the Jesse Tree books and ornaments now brings many options from Christian Book Distributors, and Etsy crafters that have produced the ornaments for purchase.
This Jesse Tree Activity book is very similar to the one I had.

The one I had was for a felt tree, and felt ornaments. With five children under 6 that second year, I just never seemed to have the time! Oh what I would have given for the internet and Etsy!

Our whole purpose was to make the tree the carrier for the symbols that we would be hanging upon it’s limbs.

The other craft is the Advent Log – a log, with up to 28 holes drilled in order to place candles into. Every Sunday is a white candle. Christmas is Purple or Green, depending what color your other candles are.

Advent Log, made from 2x4

Advent Log, made from 2×4

2x4 Advent Log decorated

2×4 Advent Log decorated

Advent Log completed

Advent Log completed

When you burn the candles every day during devotions, you end up with a triangle, with the peak at the day we celebrate Jesus. Hint, turn off all fans – they cause the candles to burn unevenly. There were years that we would sit around trying to burn the candles in hopes of getting that triangle!

I hope to copy the instructions from the book here soon.

Another tool that I utilized from the beginning was Music books by Wee Sing.
I have one for Christmas, and one for Children’s Bible Songs.
These were invaluable for grasping the melody of some lesser known Carols! While that is true, the $77 low price for a copy of the Wee Sing for Christmas is really steep!

I don’t know who may ever read these, but I wanted to make some of the items known that have helped our family celebrate Advent.

I pray that any family that is trying to celebrate Christ would be blessed with His presence this season, and in the year to come, unto eternity, In Jesus’ name. Amen.

More of my Advent Devotions

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media!
I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Advent Resources

MUSIC
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Christmas Caroling book at Amazon
Christmas Caroling Songbook at Christian Book Distributor
A free Printable Caroling Songbook by A Moms Take

Some Books:

AdventWeeSingChristmas007

AdventWeeSingBible008

AdventTheJesusTreeAB010

AdventTheJesusTree009

Advent Patterns
AdventPatterns003

AdventLog001

Advent Readings

AdventShoemakerNVP004

AdventShoemakerCTB2006

AdventShoemakerCTB1005

And, some History – to help you make your choices.
Ten things about Christmas You might not know

My Advent Devotions

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media!
I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Christmas Carol Considerations – Away in the Manger

Christmas Season lasts until January 6 for the liturgical church.

This song is one that I love – and I would sing as a lullaby to my children.
Again, thanks to the website Christmas Carol Lyrics, I can provide a little bit of history, as well as the lyrics!

The manger is a crucial part of the Christmas Story!

https://youtu.be/qJdziJ_imjw

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 in the hay.

This really points out the beauty of the humility of God coming down to earth in the form of a baby. He left his throne to rest in a manger.

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.

This speaks that Jesus was different…fully man, and fully God.
He deserves us to declare that HE IS LORD!

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 take us to heaven, to live with Thee there.

Forever…forever. The simplicity of this carol ranks up with Jesus Loves Me, in my mind!


Here is one of my favorite versions!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media!
I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Christmas Carols Considerations – God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

The first Christmas Carol I’m considering is God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen sung by a traditional choir.

Wikipedia contains the history of this song.

The first recorded version is found in Three New Christmas Carols, dated c. 1760.

God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay
For Jesus Christ, our Savior was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan’s powers when we were gone astray

Glad tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Glad tidings of comfort and joy

In Bethlehem, in Israel this blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary did nothing take in scorn

Chorus

From God our Heavenly Father a blessed angel came
And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same
How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name

Chorus

“Fear not then, said the angel, let nothing you affright
This day is born a Savior of a pure virgin bright
To free all those who trust in Him from Satan’s power and might”

Chorus

The Shepherds at those tidings Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a feeding, In tempest, storm and wind,
And went to Bethlehem straightway,This blessed babe to find.

Chorus

But when to Bethlehem they came, Whereas this infant lay,
They found him in a manger, Where oxen feed on hay,
His mother Mary kneeling Unto the Lord did pray.

Chorus

Now to the Lord sing praises, all you within this place
And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace
This holy tide of Christmas all other doth deface

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy

There is so much amazing theology in this Carol!
LET NOTHING YOU DISMAY!
FEAR NOT
COMFORT AND JOY!
The humility of the manger.
The messengers of God – Angels speaking to the unloved.

In the midst of life, there are so many things that come up that would cause one to dismay or fear!
In the midst of the storms, we need comfort and joy.
God came down to OUR level to give us these gifts.

I, for one, and very thankful that He did!

Now, here are a few upbeat versions! Enjoy!
Merry Christmas!

Advent Devotions

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media!
I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Christmas Carol Considerations – For Unto Us a Child Is Born – Messiah

For unto Us a Child is Born from Handel’s Messiah

For unto us a Child is born (Handel's Messiah) from Jeffrey Stivers on Vimeo.

Isaiah 9:6-7

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.

Jesus IS our Christmas GIFT!
For me – that is all that needs to be said! I love this song, I loved singing it in choir, and I love listening to it!

~~~~~

Advent Devotions
Thank you to Christmas Carol Lyrics for providing the lyrics for these Christmas Carols!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media!
I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Christmas Carol Considerations – What Child is This? Mary did you Know?

I have chosen TWO carols for this devotion – because I believe they go hand in hand!
There is a lot of music on this blog!

What Child is This?

https://youtu.be/u0tn-VdgU_k

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?
Chorus:
This, this is Christ, the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

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.[Chorus]

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.[Chorus]
Baptist Hymnal, (2008)

https://youtu.be/u0tn-VdgU_k

And, here is the answer – in Mary Did you know?
Did Mary know what was going to happen to her baby boy?

Mark Lowry wrote this song. I’ve included a recent version at the end.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water? ( Matthew 14:22-23)

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?(Acts 4:12)

Did you know
that your Baby Boy has come to make you new? (Rev 21:5; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man? (John 9)

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will calm the storm with His hand?(Mark 4:39)

Did you know
that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little Baby you kiss the face of God? (John 10)

Mary did you know.. Mary did you know

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. (Matthew 11:5)

Mary did you know

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?
The sleeping Child you’re holding is the Great, I Am.

Mary did you know

These are two of my favorite Christmas Carols.
Why? well, one is that my first name is Mary…and, two, I have always wondered what Mary thought about from the day she was met by the angel, to the day she watched her son give his life for the world.

Mary – the first person to know that Jesus was coming! What a relationship she must have had with her heavenly Father. I want to be like Mary. And I want to be like Jesus.
These songs just evoke the majesty of this whole event. I hope you are blessed by this as well!

~~~~~

Advent Devotions
Thank you to Christmas Carol Lyrics and Hymnary for providing the lyrics and research for these Christmas Carols!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media!
I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Christmas Carol Considerations – Angels we have heard on High

Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing ore the fields

“Angels We Have Heard on High” is a Christmas carol of French origin. The song commemorates the story of the birth of Jesus Christ found in the Gospel of Luke, in which shepherds outside Bethlehem encounter a multitude of angels singing and praising the newborn child.

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plain
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

The Angels came – to declare the birth of the Son of God.
This verse also refers to the mountains in reply…Jesus said that if he silenced his followers, that even the rocks would cry out! Luke 19:40

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be?
Which inspire your heavenly songs?
Gloria

There is new information of which I was made aware this year – the shepherds around Bethlehem were of the house of Levi. They were of the priestly lineage. No matter what, they understood that there was a coming KING from God, and that this angelic message was telling them that today was the day!

Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria

Bethlehem – the city of David.
Knees bowing…Phillipians 2:10; Romans 14:11; Psalm 95:6

See Him in a manger laid,
Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
With us sing our Savior’s birth.
Gloria

The King of Creation – lying in a manger
The Omnipotent God – dependent upon a mother and father
The Omniscient God – encased in frail humanity
The Eternal God – wrapped in finite human flesh
The Owner of all – being birthed in the humblest of places that his parents didn’t own.



Do we hear the angels today?
Do we rejoice that the King has come?
Do we bend our Knee to the King of Kings, no matter how He presents himself to us?
Let us sing the Praises of Our King!

~~~~

Advent Devotions
Thank you to Christmas Carol Lyrics for providing the lyrics for these Christmas Carols!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media!
I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Christmas Carol Considerations – Hark! the Herald Angels Sing!

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing!

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’ angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

The Angels were sent as messengers….the key – God and sinners reconciled. This didn’t happen until Christ’s death and resurrection, but that is the point of Christmas – pointing to Easter!

Christ, by highest heav’n adored:
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of the favored one.
Veil’d in flesh, the Godhead see;
Hail, th’incarnate Deity:
Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Lets hear it in an upbeat and happy version!
https://youtu.be/L1_8l7eDqcw

Hail! the heav’n 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!”

May you hear the Angels sing – and join in singing…Glory to the Newborn King!

Advent Devotions
Thank you to Christmas Carol Lyrics for providing the lyrics for these Christmas Carols!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

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Christmas Carol Considerations – the First Noel

The First Noel

The First Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds
in fields as they lay;
In fields as they lay, keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

First, the Son of God came to the Jews – then to the gentiles.
In Matthew 15, Jesus answers a Cannanite woman that He was sent to the House of Israel.
Got Questions discusses whether Jesus came ONLY to the Jews.
The quick answer is NO. He came to the Jews FIRST.

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.

This is not a Biblical statement, but apparently the star shown bright enough for the magi to follow.

Carrie Underwood singing the first noel

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.

“to seek for a king…and to follow the star wherever it went.”
What a statement of how a Christian is to live their lives!
Matthew 4:19
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

This star drew nigh to the northwest,
O’er Bethlehem it took it rest,
And there it did both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay.

Bethlehem was key – the city of David. This is where the Israelites were promised to see their deliverer arise.

Then entered in those wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
Their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.

There is no biblical text that says THREE wise men – just three gifts.
And yet, this is a beautiful example of all men humbling themselves before Jesus.

1 peter 5:6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

These wise men have been an example of seeking God with all their heart – raised up by becoming part of the Christmas story because of their dedication and humility.

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord;
That hath made heaven and earth of naught,
And with his blood mankind hath bought

This verse is the gospel in a nutshell.
Beginning with Creation in Genesis 1!

Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

Because of this beautiful gift – we should sing praises to our Heavenly Lord!

Knowing Jesus has a list of verses about singing praises to God! Reading through these, there are so many reasons for one to Sing Praises!

Here’s my favorites:

This one has a very personal meaning:

Psalm 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings

This passage reminds me WHY to praise!

Psalm 103:1-5
Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

May your New year be filled with the knowledge of the gifts God has given you!

~~~~

Advent Devotions
Thank you to Christmas Carol Lyrics for providing the lyrics for these Christmas Carols!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media!
I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.