39 results for tag: Christmas

Light in the Darkness

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shown.” Isaiah 9:2 Does it feel as though God is silent or distant? Does it seem like the Christmas season only reminds you of the ache in your heart for the ones you wished were with you? Do you wonder if God will breathe life into the broken places of your heart, or if there will ever be a day where it won’t feel so dark? You are not alone in those questions, fears, and silent cries for God to not feel so silent. In fact, for 400 years the people of Israel felt those same questions stirring in their souls. The God who ...

Hymns of Hope: Joy to the World

When it seems as though the whole world is intent on joyful celebrations, Christmas movie marathons, winter wonderlands, and gift exchanges, it can be hard to imagine how your grief fits into all of the merriment around you. But one thing we often forget in all of the holiday bustle is that the Christmas story is intertwined with sorrow. God's people had endured years of oppression and hardship and 400 years of silence from God. They were under Roman occupation and longed for the coming of the Messiah that had been promised long ago. Jesus was coming to a burdened, waiting, and hurting people. Even the magnificence of the birth of Christ was tinged ...

Christmas Day – Reign

“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 called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 Our sovereign God preordained the birth of a Savior to a virgin; He has preordained your first breath; and He has preordained the precious—yet short—life of your child. Today, you will mourn the missing piece of your heart. You, loved one, desire to hear those tiny feet pad to your room bright and early, long to listen to the miniature voice praise “Glory! Glory!”, so deeply want to watch small fingers pull on the festive ribbon, ...

Christmas Eve – Rain

“… the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!’ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus.’” Luke 1:27-31 Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus, our Savior. She was called to carry, birth, and mother the Messiah. What a weighty responsibility that is to uphold. Her graceful response to His calling on her life is one ...

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 ...