35 results for tag: Christmas

Hymns of Hope: It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

Written in 1849 by Edmund Sears, the words of "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" is one of the few Christmas hymns that does not actually mention the birth of Christ. Instead, this song focuses on the good news that the angels brought that first Christmas morn. After appearing to the shepherds outside of Bethlehem, the angels sang of the glory of God and the peace that is ours in Christ. In the fields that night, the song of the angels rang out, piercing the darkness and declaring the arrival of the long-awaited Savior. Hope had come at last. It came upon a midnight clearThat glorious song of oldFrom angels bending near the earthTo touch their harps ...

Hymns of Hope: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Originally written by Charles Wesley in 1739, the hymn, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” draws its inspiration from the second chapter of Luke. “And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrap...

A Hopeful Waiting

I have lived two Christmases in the shadow of loss. First we lost our son during birth on his due date at the end of October. With two healthy toddlers, I couldn’t just skip that holiday season. Then six years later, with three growing boys at home, we were surprised with another pregnancy and almost as quickly learned we would lose it. Our baby went to heaven during the end of September. My natural reaction would have been to hold my breath until the holiday season was over. What was there in joy and festivity for me? I was grieving—how could I hang lights, play music, or bake cookies? But each time there were little boys with expectant ...

Hymns of Hope: O Holy Night

The world had long been groaning under the curse of sin. Generation after generation pining for the Messiah that had been promised on that fateful day long ago when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden and death spread to all mankind. But this night was not like all the others before it. For on this night a thrill of hope pierced through the darkness and broke forth into a new and glorious day. Weary souls rejoiced on the night when Christ was born. O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shiningIt is the night of the dear Savior's birth!Long lay the world in sin and error piningTill he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.A thrill of hope the weary soul ...

The Weary World Rejoices

For weeks now, the world has been eagerly anticipating Christmas Day. That’s what the Advent season is all about—waiting. Clinging to hope. Knowing and trusting that help is on its way. The baby in the manger is coming. One day all will be made right. Advent invites us to sit in the tension between the promise and its fulfillment. It gives voice to the longing in our hearts. The people of Israel expected the Messiah to liberate them from the oppression of the Romans. But Christ’s coming didn’t bring the political relief they were expecting. Much in the same way, we often expect Christ’s coming to deliver us from all suffering, but ...

A Thrill of Hope

“For to us a Child is born,to us a Son is given;and the government shall be upon His shoulder,and His name shall be calledWonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”Isaiah 9:6 We live in the space between the first and second coming of this born-to-us Savior. Jesus, who came to earth as a baby to save His people, will one day return to bring them home. We celebrate the first Christmas because we know Christ will come again to make all things new. This Christmas may be filled with reminders of your empty arms, but you can still cling to hope in the midst of the sorrow, because ...

Hymns of Hope: O Little Town of Bethlehem

The City of David was situated on a hill just a few miles south of Jerusalem. Weary travelers, brought in by the census, were packed in every available room in town. Yet, in the quietness of night, while the streets lay in sleepy silence, the stillness was broken by the cry of a baby. Into the darkness, Light had dawned, and the course of history was forever changed in that little town of Bethlehem. O little town of Bethlehem,how still we see thee lie!Above thy deep and dreamless sleepthe silent stars go by;yet in thy dark streets shineththe everlasting light.The hopes and fears of all the yearsare met in thee tonight. That ...

Hymns of Hope: Come, Thou Long Expectant Jesus

Although the people of Israel had been long awaiting the coming of the Messiah, He did not come as they expected Him to. They expected the triumphant coming of a king, but not one born in a humble stable. They expected Him to be adored and extolled at His coming, but not by lowly shepherds. They expected Him to confront their oppressors, not the piety of their religious leaders. In fact, all throughout the gospels, we see the long expected Jesus breaking all our expectations. We tend to fill our thoughts of Christ with our own suppositions of what He should be like, and what He should do on our behalf. But Jesus did not leave the ...

Hymns of Hope: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come! God, be with us! This was Israel’s cry. Aching. Yearning. Hoping. How long, O Lord? They cried out to God in the midst of their exile, first under Babylon and then under the oppression of the Roman empire. They longed for rescue, for all that was wrong to be made right. They knew the Promised One would come to ransom them. Surely the Messiah would be here soon. In their mourning, they waited for His coming. Clinging to expectation and hope, they rejoiced at the promise of His rescue, knowing that their God was faithful. He would keep His word. O come, O come! God, be with us! And He did. God Himself ...

Christmas Joy

I spent some time this week looking over all of the Christmas decorations that are scattered throughout my home. The word "joy" appears at least a dozen times. The holidays are characterized by joy. For the entire month of December, families are driving around to stare in awe at marvelous light displays, everyone's kitchen smells like peppermint as preparations are make for an annual cookie exchange, wishlists are created or updated in anticipation of traditions of gift-giving, and playlists are curated so that the songs of the season are always ringing through the air. But, it can be so difficult to participate in the joys of the Christmas ...