Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Isaiah 60:1-3
I'm sure the sun came up on Christmas morning, just like every morning. But I'm also sure there was an extra light illuminating Bethlehem and its surrounds, even more than the star that shone above the stable. The Son of God has come to earth! The child, now "weak in infancy," would grow up to be our confidence and joy, breaking the power of Satan and giving us eternal peace.
Can you imagine what the shepherds thought when they were visited by the angel?
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. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." Luke 2:8-15
I love the shepherds' response: "let's go right away!" They didn't want to waste even a moment. The Lord had sent His message of love and deliverance to them and they rushed to get to the stable to see the new baby King born to bring eternal light to the world. Do you think they realized that this babe that they worshiped would take their sins on His body and then conquer death forever by rising from the dead? They knew and believed what the angels had told them: A Savior is born to you. A Savior. The One they had waited for, generation after generation.
On this Christmas morning, let's lift our voices in praise along with the angels who visited the shepherds so many years ago. Our Lord Jesus Christ deigned to be our brother. He was born fully human, yet still fully God, and served here on Earth, being obedient to His Father.
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 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. Philippians 2:5-8
Let our prayer be the same as the man who wrote this hymn: that we would with constant praise seek His face. Oh come, let us adore Him!
Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light
Words by Johann Rist
Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light,
And usher in the morning;
O shepherds, shrink not with afright,
But hear the angel’s warning.
This Child, now weak in infancy,
Our confidence and joy shall be,
The power of Satan breaking,
Our peace eternal making.
All blessing, thanks and praise to thee
Lord Jesus Christ, be given
Thou hast our brother deigned to be
Our foes in sunder riven.
O grant us through our day of grace
With constant praise to seek Thy face
Grant us ere long in glory
With praises to adore thee.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
It's About the Cross
It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. I Timothy 1:15
This is a departure from my regular hymn writing pattern, but when I heard this song sung by a youth choir at my church yesterday, the words were so profound that I couldn't stop thinking about them, and knew I had to write about it.
Naturally, there is a lot of attention at this time of year to the amazing story of Jesus being born in a stable, put to bed in a manger, and shepherds and wisemen coming from far and near to worship. Rightly so! It IS an amazing story. But that's not why Jesus came. It's not about the mangers, angels and shepherds. It's about the cross and my sin. The angel who spoke to Joseph told him as much.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:18-21
Jesus came to be born once so that we could be born again! Jesus first teaches about this concept to Nicodemus.
Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."
Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." John 3:1-6
He gave His life so that we could have real life - eternal life! We are born again to a living hope through His resurrection from the dead.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
I Peter 1:3-5
The beginning of the story - the manger, the stable, the shepherds and the wisemen - IS great. But as this song says, it's the ending that can save you so that's why we celebrate. (I would quibble with it being called "the ending" but let's set that aside for now.) Christmas is worth celebrating because of WHY Jesus came - to die for our sins.
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. I Peter 2:24
He Himself bore our sin so that we can die to sin and live to righteousness. His blood paid the price, when it should have been ours. Hallelujah!
Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood--and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father--to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Revelation 1:4-6
It's About the Cross
Words by Go Fish
It's not just about the manger where the baby lay
It's not all about the angels who sang for him that day
It's not just about the shepherds or the bright and shining star
It's not all about the wisemen who travelled from afar
It's about the cross
It's about my sin
It's about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we could be born again
It's about the stone
That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday
It's about the cross
It's about the cross
It's not just about the presents underneath the tree
It's not all about the feeling that the season brings to me
It's not just about coming home to be with those you love
It's not all about the beauty in the snow I'm dreaming of
It's about the cross
It's about my sin
It's about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we could be born again
It's about the stone
That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday
It's about the cross
It's about the cross
The beginning of the story is wonderful and great
But it's the ending that can save you and that's why we celebrate
It's about the cross
It's about my sin
It's about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we could be born again
It's about God's love
Nailed to a tree
It's about every drop of blood that flowed from Him when it should have been me
It's about the stone
That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday
So that you and I could have real life someday
It's about the cross
It's about the cross
This is a departure from my regular hymn writing pattern, but when I heard this song sung by a youth choir at my church yesterday, the words were so profound that I couldn't stop thinking about them, and knew I had to write about it.
Naturally, there is a lot of attention at this time of year to the amazing story of Jesus being born in a stable, put to bed in a manger, and shepherds and wisemen coming from far and near to worship. Rightly so! It IS an amazing story. But that's not why Jesus came. It's not about the mangers, angels and shepherds. It's about the cross and my sin. The angel who spoke to Joseph told him as much.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:18-21
Jesus came to be born once so that we could be born again! Jesus first teaches about this concept to Nicodemus.
Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."
Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." John 3:1-6
He gave His life so that we could have real life - eternal life! We are born again to a living hope through His resurrection from the dead.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
I Peter 1:3-5
The beginning of the story - the manger, the stable, the shepherds and the wisemen - IS great. But as this song says, it's the ending that can save you so that's why we celebrate. (I would quibble with it being called "the ending" but let's set that aside for now.) Christmas is worth celebrating because of WHY Jesus came - to die for our sins.
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. I Peter 2:24
He Himself bore our sin so that we can die to sin and live to righteousness. His blood paid the price, when it should have been ours. Hallelujah!
Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood--and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father--to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Revelation 1:4-6
It's About the Cross
Words by Go Fish
It's not just about the manger where the baby lay
It's not all about the angels who sang for him that day
It's not just about the shepherds or the bright and shining star
It's not all about the wisemen who travelled from afar
It's about the cross
It's about my sin
It's about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we could be born again
It's about the stone
That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday
It's about the cross
It's about the cross
It's not just about the presents underneath the tree
It's not all about the feeling that the season brings to me
It's not just about coming home to be with those you love
It's not all about the beauty in the snow I'm dreaming of
It's about the cross
It's about my sin
It's about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we could be born again
It's about the stone
That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday
It's about the cross
It's about the cross
The beginning of the story is wonderful and great
But it's the ending that can save you and that's why we celebrate
It's about the cross
It's about my sin
It's about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we could be born again
It's about God's love
Nailed to a tree
It's about every drop of blood that flowed from Him when it should have been me
It's about the stone
That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday
So that you and I could have real life someday
It's about the cross
It's about the cross
Friday, December 10, 2010
He Who Well Endureth
By your endurance you will gain your lives. Luke 21:19
There is a distinct theme running through the New Testament that is referenced in this verse: endurance. Paul encourages us to run the race that has been set before us and the book of Hebrews is full of this theme, including exhorting us to endure as our Redeemer did - He endured the cross and the shame, as well as enduring hostility from sinners. The writer of Hebrews also concurs with this hymn: at the end of the endurance, there will be a reward.
For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. Hebrews 10:36
The reward for our endurance is our eternal life with Christ, as Paul reminds Timothy.
It is a trustworthy statement: for if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him.
II Timothy 2:11-12
In this time of advent, I find myself praying even more earnestly: Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Come and release us from our sin and this sinful world.
John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood--and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father--to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Revelation 1:4-6
Dear Father,
While we are on this earth, we will confess Your name and give You the praise and glory for You are worthy. We look forward to blessing Your name when we are together with You in heaven. Until that time, guide and direct us for Your glory and give us the strength and grace to endure as we run this race.
In Your Name,
Amen.
Once He Came in Blessing
Words by Johann Roh
Once He came in blessing,
All our ills redressing,
Came in likeness lowly,
Son of God most holy;
Bore the cross to save us,
Hope and freedom gave us.
Still He comes within us,
Still His voice would win us
From the sins that hurt us;
Would to truth convert us
From our foolish errors,
Ere He comes in terrors.
Thus if Thou hast known Him,
Not ashamed to own Him,
Nor dost love Him coldly,
But will trust Him boldly,
He will now receive thee,
Heal thee, and forgive thee.
He who well endureth,
Bright reward secureth;
Come, then, O Lord Jesus,
From our sins release us;
Let us here confess Thee,
Till in Heav’n we bless Thee.
There is a distinct theme running through the New Testament that is referenced in this verse: endurance. Paul encourages us to run the race that has been set before us and the book of Hebrews is full of this theme, including exhorting us to endure as our Redeemer did - He endured the cross and the shame, as well as enduring hostility from sinners. The writer of Hebrews also concurs with this hymn: at the end of the endurance, there will be a reward.
For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. Hebrews 10:36
The reward for our endurance is our eternal life with Christ, as Paul reminds Timothy.
It is a trustworthy statement: for if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him.
II Timothy 2:11-12
In this time of advent, I find myself praying even more earnestly: Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Come and release us from our sin and this sinful world.
John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood--and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father--to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Revelation 1:4-6
Dear Father,
While we are on this earth, we will confess Your name and give You the praise and glory for You are worthy. We look forward to blessing Your name when we are together with You in heaven. Until that time, guide and direct us for Your glory and give us the strength and grace to endure as we run this race.
In Your Name,
Amen.
Once He Came in Blessing
Words by Johann Roh
Once He came in blessing,
All our ills redressing,
Came in likeness lowly,
Son of God most holy;
Bore the cross to save us,
Hope and freedom gave us.
Still He comes within us,
Still His voice would win us
From the sins that hurt us;
Would to truth convert us
From our foolish errors,
Ere He comes in terrors.
Thus if Thou hast known Him,
Not ashamed to own Him,
Nor dost love Him coldly,
But will trust Him boldly,
He will now receive thee,
Heal thee, and forgive thee.
He who well endureth,
Bright reward secureth;
Come, then, O Lord Jesus,
From our sins release us;
Let us here confess Thee,
Till in Heav’n we bless Thee.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
If Thou Has Known Him
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16
This hymn reminds us that if you know Him, love Him and trust Him boldly, He will receive you, heal you and forgive you. What does it mean to trust Him boldly?
I think it means to revere His word more than man's, and to rely on Him for protection.
In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me? Psalm 56:4
It means to put more stock in what He says than what you feel or know.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
It means to recognize that He alone is your source of salvation.
It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. I Timothy 1:15
Preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You. Psalm 86:2
It means to be steadfast, even when you're alone.
But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD, I say, "You are my God." Psalm 31:14
I pray that You will place your trust in Christ Jesus today. That you will not be ashamed of the gospel, but that you will boldly love and trust God and be received by Him. In Him alone there is forgiveness and healing. To God be the glory!
Once He Came in Blessing
Words by Johann Roh
Once He came in blessing,
All our ills redressing,
Came in likeness lowly,
Son of God most holy;
Bore the cross to save us,
Hope and freedom gave us.
Still He comes within us,
Still His voice would win us
From the sins that hurt us;
Would to truth convert us
From our foolish errors,
Ere He comes in terrors.
Thus if Thou hast known Him,
Not ashamed to own Him,
Nor dost love Him coldly,
But will trust Him boldly,
He will now receive thee,
Heal thee, and forgive thee.
He who well endureth,
Bright reward secureth;
Come, then, O Lord Jesus,
From our sins release us;
Let us here confess Thee,
Till in Heav’n we bless Thee.
This hymn reminds us that if you know Him, love Him and trust Him boldly, He will receive you, heal you and forgive you. What does it mean to trust Him boldly?
I think it means to revere His word more than man's, and to rely on Him for protection.
In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me? Psalm 56:4
It means to put more stock in what He says than what you feel or know.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
It means to recognize that He alone is your source of salvation.
It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. I Timothy 1:15
Preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You. Psalm 86:2
It means to be steadfast, even when you're alone.
But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD, I say, "You are my God." Psalm 31:14
I pray that You will place your trust in Christ Jesus today. That you will not be ashamed of the gospel, but that you will boldly love and trust God and be received by Him. In Him alone there is forgiveness and healing. To God be the glory!
Once He Came in Blessing
Words by Johann Roh
Once He came in blessing,
All our ills redressing,
Came in likeness lowly,
Son of God most holy;
Bore the cross to save us,
Hope and freedom gave us.
Still He comes within us,
Still His voice would win us
From the sins that hurt us;
Would to truth convert us
From our foolish errors,
Ere He comes in terrors.
Thus if Thou hast known Him,
Not ashamed to own Him,
Nor dost love Him coldly,
But will trust Him boldly,
He will now receive thee,
Heal thee, and forgive thee.
He who well endureth,
Bright reward secureth;
Come, then, O Lord Jesus,
From our sins release us;
Let us here confess Thee,
Till in Heav’n we bless Thee.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Still He Comes Within Us
This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. I Timothy 2:3-4
The second verse of this hymn reminds us that Jesus is coming again - and that He desires us to be followers of His before He comes, because His second coming will result in the wheat being separated from the chaff. His coming will be terrible for those who don't know Him - for they will face an eternity separated from Him, in hell.
That's pretty harsh - but it's what the Bible says. I'm so glad for the truth earlier in that verse: still He comes within us (through the work of His Holy Spirit) to win us from the sin that hurts us. He comes to convert our foolish errors into His truth! What a wonderful Savior!
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen. Galatians 1:3-5
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14
Dear Lord,
Thank You for coming as a human baby to grow up and live on earth and experience the whole spectrum of human emotion. Thank You that because of that, You can identify with me. Thank You for Your sacrifice on the cross that rescued me from my life of sin. Thank You for leaving Your helper, the Holy Spirit, who works within me. I eagerly wait for You to come again; come quickly, Lord Jesus!
In Your Name,
Amen.
Once He Came in Blessing
Words by Johann Roh
Once He came in blessing,
All our ills redressing,
Came in likeness lowly,
Son of God most holy;
Bore the cross to save us,
Hope and freedom gave us.
Still He comes within us,
Still His voice would win us
From the sins that hurt us;
Would to truth convert us
From our foolish errors,
Ere He comes in terrors.
Thus if Thou hast known Him,
Not ashamed to own Him,
Nor dost love Him coldly,
But will trust Him boldly,
He will now receive thee,
Heal thee, and forgive thee.
He who well endureth,
Bright reward secureth;
Come, then, O Lord Jesus,
From our sins release us;
Let us here confess Thee,
Till in Heav’n we bless Thee.
The second verse of this hymn reminds us that Jesus is coming again - and that He desires us to be followers of His before He comes, because His second coming will result in the wheat being separated from the chaff. His coming will be terrible for those who don't know Him - for they will face an eternity separated from Him, in hell.
That's pretty harsh - but it's what the Bible says. I'm so glad for the truth earlier in that verse: still He comes within us (through the work of His Holy Spirit) to win us from the sin that hurts us. He comes to convert our foolish errors into His truth! What a wonderful Savior!
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen. Galatians 1:3-5
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14
Dear Lord,
Thank You for coming as a human baby to grow up and live on earth and experience the whole spectrum of human emotion. Thank You that because of that, You can identify with me. Thank You for Your sacrifice on the cross that rescued me from my life of sin. Thank You for leaving Your helper, the Holy Spirit, who works within me. I eagerly wait for You to come again; come quickly, Lord Jesus!
In Your Name,
Amen.
Once He Came in Blessing
Words by Johann Roh
Once He came in blessing,
All our ills redressing,
Came in likeness lowly,
Son of God most holy;
Bore the cross to save us,
Hope and freedom gave us.
Still He comes within us,
Still His voice would win us
From the sins that hurt us;
Would to truth convert us
From our foolish errors,
Ere He comes in terrors.
Thus if Thou hast known Him,
Not ashamed to own Him,
Nor dost love Him coldly,
But will trust Him boldly,
He will now receive thee,
Heal thee, and forgive thee.
He who well endureth,
Bright reward secureth;
Come, then, O Lord Jesus,
From our sins release us;
Let us here confess Thee,
Till in Heav’n we bless Thee.
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