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aureentuluva70 · 11 months ago

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Christmas Poem

T'was a night very dark and dim,

The wind did wail and howl,

the seas did roar with fury grim,

And mournful sang the owl.

Dark clouds cloaked the starry skies,

Hindering heaven’s light,

The air was rent with sorrowful cries

That split the dreary night.

But then the wailing wind was stilled,

The awful storm did cease,

And all things on earth were filled

With a strange yet wondrous peace.

In amaze Men paused to listen,

But for what they did not know,

And wonder in their eyes did glisten

like moonlight on the snow.

Then there stirred in every mortal heart

A whisper, small and still,

Yet it pierced the soul like a fiery dart

And with wonder their hearts did fill.

Then suddenly the silence was broken

with a sound sweeter than song of bird,

for in darkness a light was awoken

and a baby’s cry was heard.

The dim-lit roads of Bethlehem

Echoed softly with that sound,

Of the newborn child of David’s stem,

And about the streets it wound.

The dark clouds faded and fled away,

And the skies were suddenly rent

With radiant light whose heavenly ray

Pierced the firmament.

Twas a star that shone in heaven high,

And Men marveled at the sight

And gazed ever upwards to the sky

Whence came that unearthly light.

And in the distance, a celestial song

from high above came streaming

like rain upon the earth, the throng

of Heaven was heard singing.

Over all the marveling world

Sang the countless, holy legions,

and their white banners they unfurled

Over all the earthly regions.

Those angels’ song like dawn burst forth,

Sure and strong and true,

To the East, the West, the South, the North,

And like a wind it blew.

In blessed music the earth is drenched,

and all desires, cares and fears,

are in one single moment quenched

as that song reaches Men’s ears.

Oh, what marvelous, divine splendor

In those angels’ hymns of delight

did pour out over all, so tender,

In glory pure and bright!

The sorrowing earth sighs with relief,

Then laughs loudly for joy,

Breaking forth into tears, not of grief,

But happiness, for that boy,

that boy, O Jesus Christ the Lord,

the Great Immanuel,

O Child Divine, O Prince adored,

Born on earth to dwell,

To dwell among the Children of God,

And to redeem them from the Fall,

to bow beneath justice's rod,

to at last save us all.

Then at last the children weary

Fall into blissful sleep

And dream of light and places cheery

In slumber buried deep.

And high above the star still streamed

upon the tranquil earth below.

Proudly it still brightly beamed

in defiance of mankind’s foe.

And then the voice was heard once more

Still and small yet clear,

And glad tidings that angel bore

in starry midnight sheer:

“Lift up your head, be of good cheer,

For behold, the time is at hand.

For Heaven’s Prince of Peace so dear

Has descended to mortal land.

A Light, brighter than any star

In a world long marred with sin,

The Son of God is born in lands afar

To save his earthly kin.

On this night is Jesus born,

The Lord of all Creation!

Weep no longer, no longer mourn

For here is Man’s Salvation!”

And thus on that marvelous night

In Bethlehem, House of Bread,

Christ was born, the Living Light,

To save both living and dead.

The veil between heaven and earth was torn

As with a shining, sharpened sword

On the night that He was born,

At the coming of the Lord.

Sing to our Lord praises undying

With the songs that angels sing,

For in that lowly manger was lying

Earth and Heaven’s King.

“On this night is Jesus born,

The Lord of all Creation!

Weep no longer, no longer mourn

For here is Man’s Salvation!”

#I wrote this just yesterday in only a couple hours which NEVER happens btw #either it takes me freakishly long to finish or I never finish it at all #but I got a surge of inspiration after listening to tolkien's Noel poem #and somehow managed to get this poem out in less than a day #that is pure divine providence let me tell you #christmas #poetry #christmas poem #christmas poetry #nativity #jesus christ #bethlehem #Christianity #christ

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mybeautifulchristianjourney · 1 year ago

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Bethlehem and Its Good News by Horatius Bonar

"The Word was made flesh."– John 1:14

It is in facts that God's purposes come to us, that we may take hold of them as real things. It is into facts that God translates his truth, that it may be visible, audible, tangible. It is in facts, like seeds, that God embodies his good news, that a little child may grasp them in his hand. So was it with the miracle of our text. God took his eternal purpose and dropped it over Bethlehem in the form of a fact, a little fragment of human history. Over earth, the first promise had been hovering for four thousand years, till at last it rested over Bethlehem.

At Bethlehem our world's history begins. Everything before and after the birth of the young child takes its color from that event. As the tree rising from a small root or seed spreads its branches (and with them its leaves, its blossoms, its fruit, its shade) north, south, east, and west, so has this obscure birth influenced all history, sacred and secular. That history is an infinite coil of events interwoven in endless intricacies, apparently with a thousand broken ends; but the coil is one, and its center is Bethlehem. The young Child there is the interpreter of all its mysteries. As He is "the beginning of the creation of God," the "first-begotten of the dead," so is he the beginning and ending, the center and circumference of human history. "Christ is all and in all." And as such, from the manger to the throne, he is the incarnation of Jehovah's purposes, the interpretation of the divine actings, and the revelation of the heavenly mysteries.

The "Word" is the eternal name for the young Child of Bethlehem. He is so called because he is the revealer of the Father, the exponent of Godhead. He is so now; he was so in the days of his flesh; he has been so from eternity. The names Christ, Immanuel, Jesus, are his earthly ones--his names in time, connected with his incarnate condition. But the names "Word" and "Son" are expressive of his eternal standing, his eternal relationship to the Father. What he was in time and on earth, that same he has been in heaven and from eternity. The glory which he had "before the world was" (John 17:5) and of which he "emptied himself" (Phil. 2:7, see Greek), was the glory of the eternal Word, the everlasting Son. As the eternal revealer of Godhead, the "brightness of Jehovah's glory, and the express image of his person," his name ever was THE WORD; as the declarer of the mind of God to man, his name is no less THE WORD, with this addition, "the Word made flesh."

The message that comes to us from Bethlehem is a very decided one. It is not a finished one; it was only finished at the cross. But so far as it goes, it is quite explicit, quite unambiguous. It means love, peace, pardon, eternal life. The lesson taught us at Bethlehem is the lesson of grace--the grace of God, the grace of the Father and of the Son. We may learn much, indeed, as to the way of life, from Bethlehem. It must not, indeed, stand alone. You must associate it with Jerusalem; you must bring the cradle and the cross together. But still it teaches us the first part of the great lesson of peace. It says, though not so fully as Golgotha, that God is love. And the Prince of peace is there. The God of salvation is there. The manifested life is there.

Do not despise Bethlehem. Do not pass it by. Come, see the place where the young child lay. Look at the manger--there is the Lamb for the burnt offering, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. These little tender hands shall yet be torn; these feet that have not yet trod this rough earth shall be nailed to the tree; that side shall yet be pierced by a Roman spear; that back shall be scourged; that cheek shall be buffeted and spit upon; that brow shall be crowned with thorns--and all for you! Is not this love? Is it not the great love of God? And in this love is there not life? And in this life is there not salvation, and a kingdom, and a throne? At Bethlehem the fountain of love was opened, and its waters have gushed out in their fullness. The well of David has overflowed the earth, and the nations now may drink. The good news has gone forth from the city of David, and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Would you learn the way to God? Go to Bethlehem, see yon infant. It is God, the Word made flesh. He is "the Way." No man comes to the Father but by him. Go and deal with him. So shall Bethlehem be to you the gate of heaven.

Would you learn the vanity of earth? Go to yon manger where the Lord of glory lies. That is reality; all else is hollow. What a vain world is this of ours! Yon manger contains the only thing on earth of which it cannot be said, "Vanity of vanities; all is vanity."

Would you have a safeguard against worldliness, sin, error, the snares of the last days? Choose and keep the young Child's companionship. Wherever you go, be like Joseph and Mary when they fled into Egypt. Take the young Child with you. Whether it is into the world's business, its philosophy and literature, or its relaxations and amusements, take the young Child. If you take Him, all is right. If you forget to do so or find you cannot, all is wrong.

Would you learn to be humble? Go to Bethlehem. There the highest is the lowest; the eternal Word a babe; the King of kings has not where to lay his head; the Creator of the universe sleeps in a woman's arms. How low he has become, how poor! Where shall we learn humility if not here? All earthly pride is here rebuked and put to shame. Would you learn to be self-denied? Go to Bethlehem. See the Word made flesh. He "pleased not himself." Where shall we find such self-denial as at the cradle and the cross? Where shall we read a lesson of self-sacrifice such as we have in him who made himself of no reputation, who chose not Jerusalem but Bethlehem for his birthplace, not a palace nor a temple but a stable for his first earthly home? Shall we not be followers of Jesus? Shall we not deny self? Shall we not stoop for others as he has stooped for us?

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psalmonesermons · 11 months ago

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The other side to the Christmas Story

Psalm 45

At this time of year many people think of the baby in the manger and it is good to reflect on the beautiful story of the nativity.

However, Jesus Christ did not remain a baby but became the mighty King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Saviour of the world, and the Bridegroom of his church..

So often we can focus in on the wonderful meekness and humility of Jesus (the suffering servant of Isaiah 53; the crucified Messiah) and yet neglect His power and majesty as the

mighty conquering King!

Through the blood of the cross He defeated him who had the power over death and having risen entered the holy of holies and presented once and for all His holy sinless blood on the mercy seat as a propitiation (turned away God's wrath) for the sin of man.

We are now going to consider Jesus Christ as the conquering hero and Jesus Christ the victorious bridegroom.

We must never forget that Jesus Christ defeated sin and death and has the keys of death and hell, and he is able to save them to the uttermost that come to Him.

Psalm 45

To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves.

45:1 My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

2 Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore, God hath blessed thee for ever.

3 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.

4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth, meekness, and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach these terrible things.

5 Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.

6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.

9 Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.

10 Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house.

11 So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.

12 And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall entreat thy favour.

13 The king's daughters are all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.

14 She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.

15 With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.

16 Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.

17 I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore, shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.

To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves.

This is a delightful psalm bursting with royalty and nobility, power, and majesty.

Shoshannim (lilies) might refer to the tune, a poetical title or even a musical instrument. Behold the lilies of the field even Solomon praised.

The sons of Korah were the specially appointed and trained singers for this, and other psalms and we are also trained to sing as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

King Jesus ought to be praised by a specially chosen holy people!

Psalm 45 is a didactic psalm i.e. Maschil is a psalm that teaches us (about the power and majesty of God).

There is going to be royal wedding and you are going to take part in it ...as the Bride!

It is also love song and more specifically a wedding (nuptial song) about the forthcoming marriage of Christ the bridegroom and His bride the church of Jesus Christ.

Oh, the mystical union of between Christ and His church! Jesus is the King who set His love upon a bride of low estate, paid all our debts for us when we had no means to pay, exalts us to exalted position (seated in heavenly places) and bestows the wealth and honours of eternal life upon us. What a magnificent Bridegroom!

v.1 Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks! The writer’s heart is bursting with praise to the divine King and Bridegroom. His pen is guided by the passion in his heart. Is your heart full of passion for your King today?

v.2 Although Jesus has no physical beauty lest we desire him for the wrong reasons.

He has a surpassing beauty of spirit and nature. Only that which is truth, only that which is wise and gracious, only that which gives glory to His father pours forth from those anointed lips. Never a wasted or unnecessary word only that which is fitting like apples of gold in settings of silver, fell from the lips of the Son of God. Jesus Christ is a great high priest after the order of Melchizedek without beginning or ending of days. Father God has blessed Him forever!

v.3 Get ready for battle with the sword of the spirit, for the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart[1]. In the wilderness Jesus defeated Satan with the word of God and at the end of time He will destroy His enemies with the breath of His mouth. O most mighty, there never was anyone else who was able or worthy to this title, the one who defeated Satan, death, and hell by His death on the cruel cross and now has the keys of death and hell. O most mighty Jesus Christ. The Lamb of God is the only one worthy to open the scroll in the book of revelation.

v.4 When Jesus preached the Gospel He rode on the Word of Truth and meekness and righteousness not only proclaiming these but living them out before the very eyes of men. The glorious eternal Gospel was His chariot to bring salvation to fallen man. The Gospel prospered turning some peoples’ worlds right way up! Jesus the right hand of God brings salvation to the humble but a terrible and everlasting condemnation to the unrepentant wicked. There is no hiding place from the Son of God.

v.5 His words are arrows and never miss the mark! No one can stand against Him and survive. We are also His arrows in His quiver for he fires us out at the lost so that as we preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ by His spirit, he pierces their hearts with conviction of sin of righteousness and judgement! Some enemies fall convicted leading to salvation others refusing to repent to eternal condemnation. We were once His enemies but now are of His royal household!

v.6 This most mighty warrior is none other than God Himself, God the Son, Jesus Christ, the eternal word made flesh, He who was in the beginning was the eternal Word and was with God and was God. It is Him who has an eternal throne not like any earthly king but a divine and everlasting Kingship. Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Praise his holy name. he who was once a babe in a manger shall rule the nations with a rod of iron.

His rule, His sceptre is the only right and lawful rule that is fitting to stand for eternity.

v.7 Here is the Father’s heart he hates evil in all its forms and disguises but loves that which is truthful, pure, and holy and because this was what was Jesus lived and loved, He was anointed by the Holy Spirit without measure! Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and He received joy without measure and yet there was another joy was that was set before Him (of seeing you and I saved) He endured the humiliation and suffering of the cross. he who gives most receives most joy!

v.8 Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest who offered His sacrifice to God for our sins.

the high priest in the old testament had special garments and was anointed with an exclusive holy and precious oil representing the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ was anointed not with the symbol but with the real thing, the fragrance of the Holy Spirit. Christians also have a measure of this aroma to those who are being saved but we are the stench of death to those who are perishing. Even the name of Jesus is as ointment poured forth! He is now at the Father’s right hand the ultimate dwelling place.

v.9 Whether we are high or low rank in society Jesus Christ has appointed all women who believe in his name to royalty and like Queen Esther, you have been born-again for such a time as this! That is to be willing to sacrifice your life for the salvation of those people who are appointed unto salvation. We do this by telling and living the gospel to them and before them. The Queen is the Bride of Jesus Christ and stands beside Him in the place of honour at the Father’s right hand. The purest gold is for those to whom Jesus has imputed and imparted His righteousness so that we might stand before God as part of the royal family.

v.10 We were formerly of our father the devil. The world, the flesh and the devil constantly besiege us in this life. When we go to heaven, we might lose relatives and friends forever because they have rejected Jesus Christ the only name given under heaven by which we might be saved. The Lord will wipe away the tears from our eyes.

It is our obligation to take the Gospel to our families, friends, and enemies but the response is their responsibility!

We must not be like Lot’s wife looking and longing for the former sinful things or like those who fell in the wilderness longing for the things of Egypt. We are washed with the holy and precious blood of the Lamb do not return like a dog to its vomit! In heaven we will put the past completely behind us, but we can start today! Forget the former things and press on toward the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus.

v.11 As we forsake all that is ungodly so will become increasingly pleasing to our King Jesus and greatly desire us for the beauty of us being willing to give up everything for Him! At the end of day who do we want to please? He is our Lord and is the only one worthy of our worship! Why should Jesus play a secondary role to anyone or anything (idols) in our lives?

v12 Even the Gentiles will come to recognise Jesus as King of Kings and will bring their wealth to Him. We who were aliens and strangers to covenants and promises to Israel have become joint heirs through Jesus Christ. The costliest gift we can give to God is ourselves our very lives and the control of them. We are now rich through and in Jesus Christ and can ask for His favour!

v.13 The Bride of Christ is cleansed by the blood, washed by the water of the word, and is clothed with His robe of righteousness (the quality of which can only be represented by the purest refined gold). The Bride is now beautiful on the inside and the outside.

v.14 The Bride’s garment was carefully designed and put together and when she makes her entrance she will be accompanied by her companions (the angels who have protected and ministered to the Bride). All the heavenly host will be at the wedding.

v.15 What a wonderful and joyful spectacle the almighty and majestic Jesus Christ the Bridegroom with His Bride, the church radiant and shining, transported by the Holy Spirit, surrounded by the angels of God entering into the Father’s household. And we will be there and part of it!

v.16 Some of Jesus ancestors brought glory to God, David, Solomon, Judah etc. etc. but a special portion is given to the New testament church in that we shall rule as princes on the earth [2].

v.17 How can we fail to remember Him and give the glory due to His name, Jesus Christ.

The most mighty One. The Messiah of God. The One who died that we might live

Jesus, the author, and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Death could not hold the Lamb of God. He is risen and having offered his blood as a once and for all sacrifice sat down at the Father’s right hand. Soon He is coming for his bride.

Even so come Lord Jesus.

Amen

That same baby in the manager is now the risen Lord seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. This is why the Christmas story is so very wonderful.

Amen

Personal prayer

#christianity #bible study #bibletruth #blog post #blessings #psalmonesermons #faith #victory #devotional #other side to Christmas #psalm45

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pugzman3 · 1 year ago

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Luke 2:8-21 KJV

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

9 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.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.(Isa 41:27; Isa 52:7)

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.(Dan 9:24-26)

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

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

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

15 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.

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

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

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

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

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

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lawrenceop · 2 years ago

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HOMILY for the Christmas Mass during the Night

Isa 9:1-7; Ps 95; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14

Christmas is a declaration of war! Or to be more precise, the birth of God in the flesh, in our world, in our human condition, makes visible and manifests in blood and bones and in our own human body, the spiritual warfare that began when the angels had fallen in love with themselves. For the angels had fallen through pride, which is essentially an overblown love of one’s own excellence, and an overestimation of one’s own correctness combined with a desire to dominate others, and so to get my own way always. Pride, in short, is believing that “I know best”.

And so the angels’ rebellion infected humanity, and Eve had thought she knew better than God how to gain for herself happiness, and freedom, and the knowledge of good and evil. This temptation to create our own meaning, and reality, and happiness independently of God has never gone away, so dictators wage wars, and families continue feuds, and our hearts become battlegrounds – all because of pride. So Mankind fell out of love with God, and so we began to “walk in darkness” as Isaiah says.

But tonight God comes to shatter the darkness: “On those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone.” By his coming as Man, Jesus himself enters into the fray, and because he is God so he comes with victory to end this mad war, this insane rebellion against Mankind’s highest and truest good. For one of the insights of St Thomas Aquinas is that every act of sin is a lapse of reason, a kind of momentary insanity as we knowingly choose an apparent good over the true Good, God himself! Hence God comes to break the heavy burden of Mankind’s sin, the rod of pride that stiffens our will. Thus (Isaiah says) “the yoke that was weighing on him, the bar across his shoulders, the rod of his oppressor, these you break as on the day of Midian” – just in case you’ve forgotten, this refers to a battle between Gideon and his 300 soldiers against the vast army of Midian, and Gideon was victorious against the odds because God’s power was with Gideon and his men. And so at Christmas, God declares war on all that separates us from him, or turns us against him, and in doing so, they would diminish our humanity.

Hence, an army of the good heavenly angels appears in the night sky outside Bethlehem declaring “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy his favour.” This, in fact, is a declaration not merely of war but of victory already won as peace is restored to men and women who live by God’s favour, meaning, for anyone who will receive his grace and live by it; anybody who will thus allow God to be their ally and friend. As St Paul said to Titus: “God’s grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race and taught us that what we have to do is to give up everything that does not lead to God, and all our worldly ambitions”. In other words, Christ comes to lead us away from all that would lead us away from God and so end the strife begun so long ago. Therefore, tonight, by his birth among us, God declares war on sin, on pride, which leads us away from God. God comes to us to fight for humanity’s liberation from vices and evil, not with material weapons nor even with a mighty army of angels. Rather, God takes flesh and is born of the virgin Mary, born for us, as a vulnerable, little, human baby. There, lying in the manger – a domestic animal’s feeding trough! – helpless and vulnerable in his little body, is the Creator and Sustainer of All that Is. Isaiah, excitedly gives him a string of titles: “Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace” – many of us will hear these titles, I think, and hear the stirring music of Handel in the back of our minds. Nevertheless, no grand music, nor red and gold decor, nor warm glowing lights should distract us from this strange truth, this marvellous mystery, the sheer creativity of the divine stratagem of war that bring us our peace.

For born in the cave at Bethlehem, and gawped at by outcast shepherds, and wrapped in simple strips of linen cloth is God himself, God-with-Us, a human baby. And this baby, even before he is full grown, is already our champion and warrior and victor in the ancient war against sin and pride.

How? For the root of all sin, as we saw when the angels fell, is pride. So God, in answer, comes in all humility to demonstrate humility. Come to the manger and see the humility and meekness of God in the flesh. And Christ comes to teach us humility. This is enacted in a striking manner if you were to visit the Grotto where Jesus was born in Bethlehem: To get down into that small cave, you’d first have to stoop down and make yourself small, squeezing through an ancient doorway that leads into the birthplace of Christ. However, Christ teaches us not to become small physically - that is not his intention – but rather he wants to teach us to humble our thoughts, our intellect, our fundamental attitudes.

And so tonight Christ, born for us, is here to teach us humility. For when we come to the altar, here in church, we see the humility and meekness of Christ. Because Jesus is present for us in the Eucharist, hidden under the appearances of bread and wine. So, in the Mass, the Blessed Sacrament is held up for us to adore and worship as God, and given to us here in Holy Communion, but we can only do this fruitfully if we have learnt to be humble and docile, if we can truly say, “God knows best”, and so we trust in the teachings of God’s Word given to his Church. God knows how this mystery of the Eucharist comes to be – our human minds will always fail to fathom this sublime sign of God’s love and humility. Certainly, the angels themselves marvel and wonder at the humility of this great Sacrament. Hence St Francis of Assisi said: “O sublime humility! O humble sublimity! That the Lord of the whole universe, God and the Son of God, should humble himself like this and hide under the form of a little bread, for our salvation.” So, if you marvel that God is so great that he can humble himself and become a little baby, so we marvel that Jesus, who took flesh from the Virgin Mary, is truly present here and now, just as he had been in Bethlehem. For tonight, and indeed, at every single Mass, the church becomes Bethlehem, which means ‘the house of bread’, and the altar becomes the manger, the feeding trough, because from it you and I are fed with Jesus himself – we receive his Body and Blood into our own bodies, we become united to his flesh. This is the true wonder of Christmas that is extended to us day after day in the Mass. As Pope St Leo the Great said: “God took the nature of a servant… enlarging our humanity without diminishing his divinity.”

Christ comes to us in the Sacraments, therefore, to enlarge our humanity. Christ comes, therefore, to fight with us, alongside us, and indeed, within us. As St Paul says to Titus that Christ has “sacrificed himself for us in order to set us free from all wickedness and to purify” us. Hence Christ empties himself and gives us himself, giving us his grace in the Sacraments especially in the Eucharist, so that we might share in his victory, so that we might taste the goodness of God, and enjoy his peace.

Today, then, war has been declared and victory has been won. For today the Word became flesh and dwells among us. The prophet Isaiah says that it is the “jealous love of the Lord of Hosts” that motivates this, meaning, God’s all-consuming and intense love for humanity, for you and for me. St Thomas Aquinas suggests that God became Man, a little baby lying in the manger in Bethlehem, “so that even children could know and love God as someone like themselves”. Therefore, in this Christmas season do visit the Crib, our Nativity Chapel, or whatever favourite image of the birth of Jesus you have, and pray and ask that you can come to know and love Jesus, God-with-us, who is born for this. Or, if you ever find yourself sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death, if you are anxious and frustrated and lonely and feeling unloved, come to Mass more often, and come to adore the Lord in the Eucharist, and discover the true beauty and miracle and wonder of Christmas. For as J. R. R. Tolkein said: “Out of the darkness of my life, so much frustrated, I put before you the one great thing to love on earth: the Blessed Sacrament… There you will find romance, glory, honour, fidelity, and the true way of all your loves on earth”.

Therefore, tonight, gathered around the manger that is this altar, we sing our victory song: “O come let us adore him, o come let us adore him, o come let us adore him, Christ the Lord!”

#Christmas #Eucharist #Jesus Christ #Saviour #incarnation #pride #humility #grace

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rosiewitchescottage · 1 year ago

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I love all these categories. Christmas Carols from across the world are fantastic and I adore them.

Little Children Singing (Happy Tears Time) - Away in a Manger, Little Donkey,

Older Children Singing - The Calypso Carol, Mary's Boy Child

Sorta Spooky - These are often very old, and the shivers are delicious. Sussex Carol, Coventry Carol get their titles from being used in what were known as Mystery Plays in the Middle Ages.

Long Gloria and/or Huge Chorus to sing fortissimo - What's not to love? Especially when outdoors carol singing - Hark The Herald Angels Sing, The First Noel, O Come All ye Faithful, Ding Dong Merrily on High, Go Tell it On The Mountains.

It's Night Time, Baby Jesus is Asleep - What can be sweeter than a lullaby for The Christ Child?

The humble simplicity of The Holy Family staying in the animal quarters, because they arrived too late in Bethlehem to get space in the guest quarters of a relatives home. - Silent Night, The Rocking Carol,

Plant Metaphors, Legends and Christmas Traditions- Good King Wenceslaus, I Saw Three Ships, The Holly and The Ivy, The Cherry Tree. Past Three O' Clock, Deck The Halls

Bethlehem is Where it's All Happening Tonight - Once in Royal David's City, O Little Town of Bethlehem

Angels and Bells - Angels From The Realms of Glory, When Shepherd's Watched Their Flocks by Night, Carol of The Bells.

Listen to it sung by the experts - O Holy Night

Latin - In Dulce Jubilo, Gaudete (Christus est Natus), Adeste Fidelis

The Visit of the Magi.- We Three Kings, Three Kings (From Persian Lands Afar)

And if you're into Christmas Olde Worlde English style (as I am) It doesn't get better than King's College Cambridge Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.

Please note that these are illustrative examples, not the only songs I think fit those categories: if you have a favorite that's not listed, see if it fits in one of the categories and vote that way.

ETA: Realized I put "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" as a really long gloria song instead of "Angels We Have Heard on High." Whoops. (IMO "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" should be "repeat chorus at the top of your lungs")

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thelifewelivehonestlyblog · 11 months ago

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There needs to be more people who believe on doing the right thing in life. Happy holidays

Candlelighting service at Mokualikaua church which is the oldest church in Hawaii was such a special moment for me on the big island of Kailua Kona, Hawaii

Also, learned of how many people just check the box of only going to church services on Christmas & Easter, and not when your supposed to go and pray daily and felt super embarrassed when it comes to going to church because of people, families forget the whole true meaning behind Christmas of joy and its the birth of Jesus christ and celebration of him and couldn't believe my eyes of how many people don't know the Christian songs that we sing Every Christmas of: "Away In A Manger" "O come O come Emmauel" "Holy Night" "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" "Joy To The World" "The First Noel" and "Silent Night" 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🙏🙏🙏🙏

Then witness so many people during this service of not really listening to the pastor passage of the stories that mean to what Jesus Is Doing Through The Bible and the passages are usually 45 minutes long and nobody can take the time for God that's so sad to be around like only seeing little kids,babies, families & teenagers,elderly old people and nobody really there who are in their 30s of age which isnt good and sad to be around in life and wishing there were more people who believe in doing the right thing and helping out others who may not have enough supplies to survive in this world and there's just so much rudeness, selfish people who don't care & there's only a small portion of people out there who are friendly and do the right thing in life- just so much heartbroken 💔 situations happening in this world. GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, CHRIST IS BORN,JESUS CHRIST IS BORN 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

#mokualikausChurch #csndlelightingSdrvicds

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timdcook4 · 11 months ago

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‭Luke‬ ‭2:1‭-‬24‬ ‭LSB‬

[1] Now it happened that in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus for a census to be taken of all the inhabited earth. [2] This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. [3] And everyone was going to be registered for the census, each to his own city. [4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, [5] in order to register along with Mary, who was betrothed to him, and was with child. [6] Now it happened that while they were there, the days were fulfilled for her to give birth. [7] And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guest room. [8] In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. [10] 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. [11] For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. [12] And this will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” [13] And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, [14] “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” [15] And it happened that when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” [16] So they went in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. [17] And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. [18] And all who heard it marveled at the things which were told them by the shepherds. [19] But Mary was treasuring all these things, pondering them in her heart. [20] And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as was told them. [21] And when eight days were fulfilled so that they could circumcise Him, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. [22] And when the days for their cleansing according to the Law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord [23] (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), [24] and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

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yhwhrulz · 2 years ago

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Wayside Chapel Daily Devotional 27th April 2023

April 27

Luke 2:8-10 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

The shepherds must have relayed this amazing story to Mary, who in turn relayed it to Luke. This is one of the many authentications of the truth of the Gospel events. If the Gospel writers were making this up, they would never have had the initial announcement go to shepherds and magi.

Shepherds were considered second-class citizens of the day. Their testimony was considered unreliable. They were often the first to be held in suspicion when thefts occurred. Shepherding had fallen as far as it could fall in the thousand years between King David and Jesus. No, if Luke were making up this story, he never would have chosen the shepherds to be the recipients of an angelic announcement, yet this fits perfectly with God's style.

Remember in yesterday evening's devotion that Mary's prophetic words declared that God lifts up the humble? He fills the hungry with good things, but He sends the rich away empty. The first to visit the manger were humble shepherds. The Gospel is not for those who are full. It is for those who are empty.The despised and lowly find angels revealing good news.

The angels' announcement said this is good news for all people. It is not just for the Jew or just for the poor. It is for all those that are hungry, for all those who are seeking, and for all who are willing to receive. Could there be any greater joy than knowing that God loved us so much that He sent His Son to make a way for us to come to Him? It is still good news of great joy for all the people. Have you found it to be the great joy of your life? If not, it may be that you have not realized all that this birth means to you.

Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you why this should be your great joy.

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prju77 · 2 years ago

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Usher in the King! - Your Lion Bite Word For Today!

Messy life marked the entrance of Jesus. The world uses pomp and pageantry to mark a new king, but none of that was present in the manger. The King of Kings came to the world through a virgin birth, in blood and pain and messy life. The newborn cry of God made flesh echoed in a stable.

It’s time to make way for the King! It’s time to cry out for God’s kingdom to come, and with it, the King of all Kings. As we usher in the King, may we have wisdom on how to discern the messy life that precedes the King of Kings. Wisdom on how to welcome Him, and rejoice in the birthing of God’s kingdom here on earth.

Take hold of God’s promises and cling to them in joy. Remove the worldly distractions that keep the Lord at a distance. Hold onto what is holy and with a courageous breath, blow away all that is not of God. And rejoice, for the King is coming!

Make way for the King, for He is coming. Make way for the King of glory to come in. It’s time to lift up our heads and cry out King Jesus!

Psalm 24:9 (NIV)"Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in!"

Revelation 19:16 (NIV)"On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!"

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net2ubiz · 2 years ago

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Subject: it’s New Year's Day, Now What?

References (KJV): Isaiah 60:1-6,

Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12

A New Year always brings a sense of hope! The previous year with all its tragedies; High Murder Rates, Crimes In Urban Cities, Unaffordable Gas, Food Production, Baby Formula, Home Heating Fuel, Ferterlizer, and Phosphates has caused a serious strand on Families Bugets.

So our tragedies, problems, disappointments, failures, and sadness is now behind us, and

and a clean slate lies ahead.

This is symbolized on New Year’s Eve. The old has passed away; the new has come to stay for at least one Year.

With whistles and horns and parties, and probably more to eat and drink than we should have, we ushered in the New Year.

Yet, beneath the gaiety and laughter, there’s a gnawing feeling. it’s all still the same; nothing’s has really change has it?

For sure there has been plenty in the news to make anyone depressed. High Murders, Physical Assaults, Day Time Car Jacking, Home Invasions, Open Assaination Of Police Officers While On Lunch Breaks or Sitting In Their Police Cruisers Unaware.

One News Commentator recently wrote in a local newspaper: “Reality Seems To Crush Hope At Every Turn :

The Covid Pandemic, Russia-Ukraian War, Crushing Economic Disparities In This Country, The Scoure Of Racism, Homekessness, In Our Own oBack Yard, To Include the Plague Of Illicit Drugs, and Rampant Gun Violence, etc.,

Many of us are feeling personal pains or anxieties this New Year. Some of us are wrestling with important decisions regarding a primary relationship or a task to be done.

Some know firsthand the powerful effects of disabling disease or worry about health issues in the upcoming months; some have had to deal recently with a major loss; some wonder if we can make it in the coming year without the presence of one who meant so much; some of us are feeling very lonely, in spite of people all around us; some of us fear growing older, or fear what the future may hold.

some wonder if dreams will ever be realized, or whether the New Year will be even more frustrating and filled with feelings of futility than the last. Many of us are feeling pain or anxiety this NewYear. What is this pain or anxiety like for you?

When we feel this way, the temptation is to stay with the familiar and the comfortable, to crawl back into bed and pull up the covers, or to sneak into the Manger with Jesus, where it’s warm, safe, and secure.

The temptation is to stay where we are; in the dark crevices of Depression, or Defeat, of Fear or Foreboding, in the Deep Ruts of Sameness, Boredom, or Lethargy.

As we embark on this New Year, embodied so well in the Spirit of Epiphany and the reality of life moving on, a fair question for us to ask is, “how can we move on?”

God has promised to uphold us no matter what, believe this promise! God has promised to grant us victory over all our spiritual enemies, believe this promise! God has promised to grant us full and free forgiveness of our sins and because of Jesus Christ, our Newborn Savior, believe this promise!

Rise and shine and give God the Glory Glory, Rise and shine and give God the Glory Glory Children of the Lord, Amen”

WORD

Servant DCarlos Phipps

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mybeautifulchristianjourney · 1 year ago

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Luke 2

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

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

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

4 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:)

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

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

7 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.

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

9 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.

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

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