Dec
22
Away in a Manger
By Jan Ross | Comments Off
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)
Probably one of the first songs little children are taught during this season is “Away in a Manger”. I can remember as a little girl singing this with my class in front of the entire church, each of us stepping out of the choir to say our verse while we recited the entire account of the birth of the Lord Jesus from the Gospel of Luke. It was something we looked forward to each year, singing the sweet lullaby about Baby Jesus and saying our memory verses.
Dec
21
Obedient Support
By Julie B Cosgrove | Comments Off
And when Elizabeth heard of the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed in a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women . . .” Luke 1:39-40
Can you imagine being Mary? Young, pregnant, unwed. In her day, she could have been stoned to death for adultery. Yet, in her heart she knew she had done no wrong. She travels to her cousin’s house to assist her in her pregnancy as was her duty. For Mary, it was all about duty. What would she face? What would happen when she began to show? It was in God’s hands. She had told the angel she would be obedient to His will.
Dec
21
We Are the Reason
By Jan Ross | Comments Off
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (I Peter 3:15)
During this season, more than all others, the “Reason” can be hard to focus on for even those with the strongest faith. Television floods our homes with commercialized Christmas advertisements and programming. Radio fills the airwaves with seasonal songs, many of which fail to even mention the “Reason” for the season. Workplaces are full of hustle and bustle trying to get ahead so everyone can take a few days off without the business losing money. Parties, pageants, cantatas, plays, programs, shopping, wrapping, planning, cooking, baking, greeting . . . and the list goes on. Time is soon snuffed out and there is none left to devote quality time with the “Reason” for the season.
Dec
18
The First Noel
By Jan Ross | Comments Off
“And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” ( Luke 1:30-33)
Dec
17
O Come, Emmanuel
By Jan Ross | Comments Off
“Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel.“ (Isaiah 7:14)
Emmanuel . . . God with us! The history of this Christmas hymn is rich with meaning as you will see in the original translation. Each verse of this poetic masterpiece praises the coming of the Savior by a different name: Emmanuel, Branch of Jesse, Day-Spring, Key of David, Lord of Might, Wisdom, and Desire of Nations!
O COME, O COME EMMANUEL
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Dec
16
Seeking Christmas
By Julie B Cosgrove | Comments Off
God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. Psalm 53:2
What a patient, loving God. This time of year people become charitable. They open their hearts and their wallets. They drop off toys for the poor, drop a bill or two in the red bucket, volunteer to wrap presents or feed the hungry. They make gifts for the nursing home residents and bake goodies for the neighbors. All because it is the season of giving.
Dec
16
We Three Kings
By Jan Ross | Comments Off
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:10-11)
The Magi followed the Star to meet the Christ Child face to face and worship Him. Interestingly, the song we would attribute to these “wise men” is based on a lot of assumption which has dramatized the visit of the Magi to honor the Son of God. However, the song itself gives us some food for thought as we consider its context.
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