Posts Tagged ‘Advent’

Luke 2: 1-19 (King James Version)

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

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.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Over at CatHouse Chat, Sister Kat has outdone herself with the 2008 Carnival of Christmas.

It’s a wonderful collection of Christmas memories, recipes, traditions and meditations from around the blogosphere.

Pour yourself a cup of egg nog and spend some time checking it out. You can wrap those presents later.

Or not.

Congratulations Kat on a beautiful and inspiring Carnival of Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all.

A Savior is Born

Scripture for Today

Luke 2:1-7
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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.

From the splendor of Heaven, this Christ who has existed with God through all eternity came to be born in the squalor and stench of a stable. He came to a parental lineage that surely drew raised eyebrows from neighbors and families, and was born under the threat of a deranged king seeking to have him slaughtered.

Yet he came.

His life on this earth would not be easy, and His final week would be the most horrific of all, suffering pain, and abuse and ultimately death.

Yet he came.

Hymn for Today

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Text: Edmund H. Sears, 1810-1876
Music: Richard Storrs Willis, 1819-1900

It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to men,
from heaven’s all-gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay,
to hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come
with peaceful wings unfurled,
and still their heavenly music floats
o’er all the weary world;
above its sad and lowly plains,
they bend on hovering wing,
and ever o’er its Babel sounds
the blessed angels sing.

And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
whose forms are bending low,
who toil along the climbing way
with painful steps and slow,
look now! for glad and golden hours
come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
and hear the angels sing!

For lo! the days are hastening on,
by prophet seen of old,
when with the ever-circling years
shall come the time foretold
when peace shall over all the earth
its ancient splendors fling,
and the whole world send back the song
which now the angels sing.

NOTE: Previous hymns in this series have been sourced from CyberHymnal.org. As of the writing of this post, that site is down. Hopefully the issue will be resolved soon.

Previous Posts
December 1 – The Word Became Flesh
December 2 – Prepare the way for the LORD
December 3 – He is First and Last
December 4 – He is the Eternal God
December 5- He Created All Things
December 6 – He is King of Kings
December 7 – He is Emmanuel – God with Us
December 8 – The Humanity of Christ
December 9 – The Ancestry of Christ
December 10 – Christ’s Birth
December 11 – His Death on the Cross
December 12 – His Resurrection
December 13 – Messianic Psalms
December 14 – Messianic Psalms
December 15 – Simeon’s Song
December 16 – He came to forgive our sin
December 17 – He is the Light of the World
December 18 – The Good News
December 19 – He Came to Save the World
December 20 – The Righteous Branch
December 21 – The Virgin Birth
December 22 – The Angel’s Prophecy
December 23 – Mary’s Song

Mary’s Song

Scripture for Today

Luke 1:39-56
And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

From The Book of Common Prayer: Magnificat

My soul doth magnify the Lord:
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

For he hath regarded :
the lowliness of his handmaiden.

For behold, from henceforth :
all generations shall call me blessed.

For he that is mighty hath magnified me :
and holy is his Name.

And his mercy is on them that fear him :
throughout all generations.

He hath shewed strength with his arm :
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He hath put down the mighty from their seat :
and hath exalted the humble and meek.

He hath filled the hungry with good things :
and the rich he hath sent empty away.

He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel :
as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.

Hymn for Today

O What Shall I Do, My Savior to Praise

Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742.
Music: Hanover, attributed to William Croft, in The Supplement to the New Version of Psalms, by Nahum Tate and Nicholas Brady, 6th edition, 1708

O what shall I do my Savior to praise,
So faithful and true, so plenteous in grace,
So strong to deliver, So good to redeem
The weakest believer that hangs upon Him!

How happy the man whose heart is set free,
The people that can be joyful in thee!
Their joy is to walk in the light of thy face,
And still they are talking of Jesus’ grace.

Their daily delight shall be in Thy Name;
They shall as their right Thy righteousness claim;
Thy righteousness wearing, and cleansed by Thy blood,
Bold shall they appear in the presence of God.

For Thou art their Boast, their Glory and Power;
And I also trust to see the glad hour,
My soul’s new creation, a life from the dead,
The day of salvation, that lifts up my head.

For Jesus, my Lord, is now my Defense;
I trust in His Word, none plucks me from thence;
Since I have found favor, He all things will do;
My King and my Savior shall make me anew.

Yes, Lord, I shall see the bliss of Thine own,
Thy secret to me shall soon be made known;
For sorrow and sadness I joy shall receive,
And share in the gladness of all that believe.

Previous Posts
December 1 – The Word Became Flesh
December 2 – Prepare the way for the LORD
December 3 – He is First and Last
December 4 – He is the Eternal God
December 5- He Created All Things
December 6 – He is King of Kings
December 7 – He is Emmanuel – God with Us
December 8 – The Humanity of Christ
December 9 – The Ancestry of Christ
December 10 – Christ’s Birth
December 11 – His Death on the Cross
December 12 – His Resurrection
December 13 – Messianic Psalms
December 14 – Messianic Psalms
December 15 – Simeon’s Song
December 16 – He came to forgive our sin
December 17 – He is the Light of the World
December 18 – The Good News
December 19 – He Came to Save the World
December 20 – The Righteous Branch
December 21 – The Virgin Birth
December 22 – The Angel’s Prophecy