From Heaven above to earth I come
by Martin Luther
From Heaven above to earth I come
To bear good news to every home
Glad tidings of great joy I bring,
Whereof I now will say and sing
To you this night is born a Child
Of Mary, chosen virgin mild
This little Child, of lowly birth
Shall be the joy of all the earth.
This is the Christ, our God and Lord,
Who in all need shall aid afford
He will Himself your Savior be
From all your sins to set you free.
He will on you the gifts bestow
Prepared by God for all below;
That in His kingdom, bright and fair,
You may with us His glory share.
These are the tokens ye shall mark,
The swaddling clothes and manger dark;
There shall ye find the young Child laid,
By Whom the heav'ns and earth were made.
Now let us all, with gladsome cheer,
Follow the shepherds and draw near
To see this wondrous Gift of God,
Who hath His own dear Son bestowed.
Give heed, my heart, lift up thine eyes!
What is it in yon manger lies?
Who is this Child, so yougn and fair?
The blessed Christ Child lieth there!
Welcome to earth, Thou noble Guest,
Through Whom the sinful world is blest!
Thou com'st to share my misery,
What thanks shall I return to Thee?
Ah, Lord, Who hast created all,
How weak art Thou, how poor and small,
That Thou dost choose Thine infant bed,
Where humble cattle lately fed!
Were earth a thousand times as fair,
Beset with gold and jewels rare,
It yet were far too poor to be
A narrow cardle, Lord, for Thee.
For velvets soft and silken stuff
Thou hast but hay and straw so rough,
Whereon Thou, King, so rich and great,
As 'twere Thy heaven, art throned in state.
And thus, dear Lord, it pleaseth Thee
To make this truth quite plain to me,
That all the world's wealth, honor, might,
Are naught and worthless in Thy sight.
Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child,
Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
Within my heart, that it may be
A quiet chamber kept for Thee.
My heart for very joy doth leap,
My lips no more can silence keep,
I too must sing, with joyful tonue,
That sweetest ancient cradle song.
Glory to God in highest heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given,
While angels sing with pious mirth,
A glad new year to all the earth.
12.25.2006
12.24.2006
Joy to the world
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
12.23.2006
O Come All Ye Faithful
O Come All Ye Faithful
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
O Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word.
Give to our Father glory in the Highest;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
O Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word.
Give to our Father glory in the Highest;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
12.22.2006
Handel's Messiah
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6-7
12.21.2006
Handel's Messiah
Hallelujah: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever. King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Hallelujah! - Revelation 11:15.
12.20.2006
God rest ye merry, gentlemen
God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
In Bethlehem, in Israel,
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
From God our Heavenly Father
A blessed Angel came;
And unto certain Shepherds
Brought tidings of the same:
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by Name.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
"Fear not then," said the Angel,
"Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Saviour
Of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan's power and might."
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind:
And went to Bethlehem straightway
The Son of God to find.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
And when they came to Bethlehem
Where our dear Saviour lay,
They found Him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
His Mother Mary kneeling down,
Unto the Lord did pray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
In Bethlehem, in Israel,
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
From God our Heavenly Father
A blessed Angel came;
And unto certain Shepherds
Brought tidings of the same:
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by Name.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
"Fear not then," said the Angel,
"Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Saviour
Of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan's power and might."
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind:
And went to Bethlehem straightway
The Son of God to find.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
And when they came to Bethlehem
Where our dear Saviour lay,
They found Him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
His Mother Mary kneeling down,
Unto the Lord did pray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
12.19.2006
At my knit's end
WARNING: HIGH KNITTING CONTENT TO FOLLOW. Any fiber-phobes please exit now.
I too have succumbed to the Christmas knit mania, deciding to inflict (ahem, gift) my knitting onto a loved one. Who and what shall remain undisclosed, as said gift has yet to be finished. Which brings me to...
LAST MINUTE KNIT-IT. This is a disease that we knitters contract. Intentions of pacing a large project out over time start out great, but there is an inner need to put it all off until the last minute. Maybe it's to prove something to ourselves, maybe it's because we spend too much time just fondling and adoring the fiber content of our yarn. So I find myself leaving on a road trip in less than 24 hours in the midst of picking up over 300 stitches. Then having to knit those quite a few times. And finish off the whole deal. Why do I keep telling myself that 15 hours in a minivan with 4 children is more than ample for such a feat? Wake up and smell the diapers!!
Another tell-tale sign of "last minute knit-it" is the overwhelming desire to CAST ON for another project while facing the impossibility of finishing the first project by the due date! Oh yeah, I have a serious form of this malady. Check out these babies! Makes my fingers twitch.
The best part: hundreds of tidy cables in hot pink yarn. I'm never wearing shoes again!
I too have succumbed to the Christmas knit mania, deciding to inflict (ahem, gift) my knitting onto a loved one. Who and what shall remain undisclosed, as said gift has yet to be finished. Which brings me to...
LAST MINUTE KNIT-IT. This is a disease that we knitters contract. Intentions of pacing a large project out over time start out great, but there is an inner need to put it all off until the last minute. Maybe it's to prove something to ourselves, maybe it's because we spend too much time just fondling and adoring the fiber content of our yarn. So I find myself leaving on a road trip in less than 24 hours in the midst of picking up over 300 stitches. Then having to knit those quite a few times. And finish off the whole deal. Why do I keep telling myself that 15 hours in a minivan with 4 children is more than ample for such a feat? Wake up and smell the diapers!!
Another tell-tale sign of "last minute knit-it" is the overwhelming desire to CAST ON for another project while facing the impossibility of finishing the first project by the due date! Oh yeah, I have a serious form of this malady. Check out these babies! Makes my fingers twitch.
The best part: hundreds of tidy cables in hot pink yarn. I'm never wearing shoes again!
Angels from the realms of glory
Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation's story,
Now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
Watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing,
Yonder shines the infant Light;
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great desire of nations,
Ye have seen His natal star;
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Saints before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear:
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation's story,
Now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
Watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing,
Yonder shines the infant Light;
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great desire of nations,
Ye have seen His natal star;
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Saints before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear:
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
The Reformation Polka
by Robert Gebel
[Sung to the tune of "Supercalifragilistic-expialidocious"]
(Another great number from our talent show)
When I was just ein junger Mann I studied canon law;
While Erfurt was a challenge, it was just to please my Pa.
Then came the storm, the lightning struck, I called upon Saint Anne,
I shaved my head, I took my vows, an Augustinian! Oh...
Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!
When Tetzel came near Wittenberg, St. Peter's profits soared,
I wrote a little notice for the All Saints' Bull'tin board:
"You cannot purchase merits, for we're justified by grace!
Here's 95 more reasons, Brother Tetzel, in your face!" Oh...
Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!
They loved my tracts, adored my wit, all were exempleror;
The Pope, however, hauled me up before the Emperor.
"Are these your books? Do you recant?" King Charles did demand,
"I will not change my Diet, Sir, God help me here I stand!" Oh...
Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation -
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!
Duke Frederick took the Wise approach, responding to my words,
By knighting "George" as hostage in the Kingdom of the Birds.
Use Brother Martin's model if the languages you seek,
Stay locked inside a castle with your Hebrew and your Greek! Oh...
Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation -
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!
Let's raise our steins and Concord Books while gathered in this place,
And spread the word that 'catholic' is spelled with lower case;
The Word remains unfettered when the Spirit gets his chance,
So come on, Katy, drop your lute, and join us in our dance! Oh...
Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation -
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!
[Sung to the tune of "Supercalifragilistic-expialidocious"]
(Another great number from our talent show)
When I was just ein junger Mann I studied canon law;
While Erfurt was a challenge, it was just to please my Pa.
Then came the storm, the lightning struck, I called upon Saint Anne,
I shaved my head, I took my vows, an Augustinian! Oh...
Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!
When Tetzel came near Wittenberg, St. Peter's profits soared,
I wrote a little notice for the All Saints' Bull'tin board:
"You cannot purchase merits, for we're justified by grace!
Here's 95 more reasons, Brother Tetzel, in your face!" Oh...
Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!
They loved my tracts, adored my wit, all were exempleror;
The Pope, however, hauled me up before the Emperor.
"Are these your books? Do you recant?" King Charles did demand,
"I will not change my Diet, Sir, God help me here I stand!" Oh...
Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation -
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!
Duke Frederick took the Wise approach, responding to my words,
By knighting "George" as hostage in the Kingdom of the Birds.
Use Brother Martin's model if the languages you seek,
Stay locked inside a castle with your Hebrew and your Greek! Oh...
Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation -
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!
Let's raise our steins and Concord Books while gathered in this place,
And spread the word that 'catholic' is spelled with lower case;
The Word remains unfettered when the Spirit gets his chance,
So come on, Katy, drop your lute, and join us in our dance! Oh...
Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation -
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!
12.18.2006
Ode to Winter
This is NOT part of the "Christmas song-a-day" routine I have going!
I sang this at our church talent show yesterday, and it went over fairly well, us being northerners and all. Besides, at 77 degress today, with our windows all open and short sleeves on, we actually do miss winter!
We've suffered through three months of summer
Endured it without a complaint,
Though we are true Minnesotans
And at 80 degrees we feel faint.
But now that the leaves are falling
Our spirits are on the rebound
Now we wait for that day in November
When we wake up to snow on the ground.
On that morning we'll put on our parkas
And enjoy that first winter day,
The tree limbs tstark and dramatic
The sky a cold dark gray.
The wind picks up and we smile,
We laugh at the hard freezing rain.
For we are northern people
And we're happier when we're in pain.
Some people complain about winter,
The fancy and the effete,
The people who play New Age music
The people who cook with mesquite.
The people who use the word "network"
And I know that it's not nice to say
But that is the beauty of winter
It keeps all those people away.
In summer you get the illusion
That life must be gentle and warm,
But wisdom comes to us in winter
When we have to stay home in the storm.
When the blizzard comes out of the northwest
You cannot do as you would do.
So winter is when nature teaches
That the world is not here to please you.
And so we look forward to winter,
And setting some new record lows.
There's nothing so good for a person
AS the sting of cold air in your nose.
We enjoy the long hours of darkness,
We enjoy being blasted and chilled.
The wonderful thing about suffering is:
It helps to relieve our guilt.
We're hardy midswestern people,
Not meant for the comfortable life.
We're bred to be stubborn and sturdy
And threive on sturggle and strife.
We're happy with forostbitten faces,
With ice frozen to our eyelash,
With stuff running out of our noses,
And freezing on our moustache.
We stand with our long jumper cables
Dressed in our snowmobile suits,
Wearing our scarves and our mittens
And gigantic double-lined boots.
In summer we're selfish and spoiled,
But winter is good for the heart.
No matter how cold it is, neighbor,
We'll come out and give you a start.
We'll come out and give you a start.
We'll come out and give you a start.
No matter how cold it is, neighbor,
We'll come out and give you a start.
Garrison Keillor
Prairie Home Companion
I sang this at our church talent show yesterday, and it went over fairly well, us being northerners and all. Besides, at 77 degress today, with our windows all open and short sleeves on, we actually do miss winter!
We've suffered through three months of summer
Endured it without a complaint,
Though we are true Minnesotans
And at 80 degrees we feel faint.
But now that the leaves are falling
Our spirits are on the rebound
Now we wait for that day in November
When we wake up to snow on the ground.
On that morning we'll put on our parkas
And enjoy that first winter day,
The tree limbs tstark and dramatic
The sky a cold dark gray.
The wind picks up and we smile,
We laugh at the hard freezing rain.
For we are northern people
And we're happier when we're in pain.
Some people complain about winter,
The fancy and the effete,
The people who play New Age music
The people who cook with mesquite.
The people who use the word "network"
And I know that it's not nice to say
But that is the beauty of winter
It keeps all those people away.
In summer you get the illusion
That life must be gentle and warm,
But wisdom comes to us in winter
When we have to stay home in the storm.
When the blizzard comes out of the northwest
You cannot do as you would do.
So winter is when nature teaches
That the world is not here to please you.
And so we look forward to winter,
And setting some new record lows.
There's nothing so good for a person
AS the sting of cold air in your nose.
We enjoy the long hours of darkness,
We enjoy being blasted and chilled.
The wonderful thing about suffering is:
It helps to relieve our guilt.
We're hardy midswestern people,
Not meant for the comfortable life.
We're bred to be stubborn and sturdy
And threive on sturggle and strife.
We're happy with forostbitten faces,
With ice frozen to our eyelash,
With stuff running out of our noses,
And freezing on our moustache.
We stand with our long jumper cables
Dressed in our snowmobile suits,
Wearing our scarves and our mittens
And gigantic double-lined boots.
In summer we're selfish and spoiled,
But winter is good for the heart.
No matter how cold it is, neighbor,
We'll come out and give you a start.
We'll come out and give you a start.
We'll come out and give you a start.
No matter how cold it is, neighbor,
We'll come out and give you a start.
Garrison Keillor
Prairie Home Companion
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
While shepherds watched
Their flocks by night
All seated on the ground
The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone around
And glory shone around
"Fear not," he said,
For mighty dread
Had seized their troubled minds
"Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind,
To you and all mankind."
"To you in David's
Town this day
Is born of David's line
The Savior who is Christ the Lord
And this shall be the sign
And this shall be the sign."
"The heavenly Babe
You there shall find
To human view displayed
And meanly wrapped
In swathing bands
And in a manger laid
And in a manger laid."
Thus spake the seraph,
And forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God, who thus
Addressed their joyful song
Addressed their joyful song
"All glory be to
God on high
And to the earth be peace;
Goodwill henceforth
From heaven to men
Begin and never cease
Begin and never cease!"
Their flocks by night
All seated on the ground
The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone around
And glory shone around
"Fear not," he said,
For mighty dread
Had seized their troubled minds
"Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind,
To you and all mankind."
"To you in David's
Town this day
Is born of David's line
The Savior who is Christ the Lord
And this shall be the sign
And this shall be the sign."
"The heavenly Babe
You there shall find
To human view displayed
And meanly wrapped
In swathing bands
And in a manger laid
And in a manger laid."
Thus spake the seraph,
And forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God, who thus
Addressed their joyful song
Addressed their joyful song
"All glory be to
God on high
And to the earth be peace;
Goodwill henceforth
From heaven to men
Begin and never cease
Begin and never cease!"
The First Noel
The First Noel, the Angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
And by the light of that same star
Three Wise men came from country far
To seek for a King was their intent
And to follow the star wherever it went.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
This star drew nigh to the northwest
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest
And there it did both Pause and stay
Right o'er the place where Jesus lay.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
Then entered in those Wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee
And offered there in His presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
That hath made Heaven and earth of nought
And with his blood mankind has bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
And by the light of that same star
Three Wise men came from country far
To seek for a King was their intent
And to follow the star wherever it went.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
This star drew nigh to the northwest
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest
And there it did both Pause and stay
Right o'er the place where Jesus lay.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
Then entered in those Wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee
And offered there in His presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
That hath made Heaven and earth of nought
And with his blood mankind has bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
Rough-and-Ready Reformation History
Feel free to offer corrections (but not expansions!) This was an attempt to explain the origins of denominations in just a few short paragraphs. So it's obviously simplified and generalized...
At the Reformation (1520-1650) the Lutherans began in Germany, following Luther. The Reformed began primarily in France, Switzerland, Netherlands, and Scotland, following John Calvin. In the same European countries, some wanted a more radical break with Rome than Luther and Calvin were doing. These Anabaptists would rebaptize people coming out of the Catholic church (Luther/Calvin would not). Anabaptist is just Greek for "rebaptize." Some of the roots of the Baptists and Congregationalists come from these anabaptists, although they are NOT the same thing, in spite of the close name. (The Amish and Quakers are more direct descendants of the anabaptists.)
In England, the reformation was more political at first, so not much changed from Roman Catholic practice. They just kept doing basically the same thing as Rome, but declared independence from Roman authority. This was the Anglican Church - in America it is the Episcopalians. Others in England wanted to go in Calvin's direction, and usually had to separate from the state Anglican church to do it, as using the prayer book was enforced closely. (The prayer book had/has theology in it that is too Catholic for Protestants). From these Calvinist separatists came the Pilgrims that went to Holland, then to Plymouth on the Mayflower. Both these separatists and the Reformed on the European continent were presbyterian in government.
Later in England, John Wesley came along and stressed personal piety in reaction to the mostly spiritually dead state church. His Methodist Bible studies quickly became a movement in itself. Wesleyans, Congregationalists and Methodists come from this stream. He made many important points and fought for revival well. Argued that being a baptized member of a church doesn't guarantee salvation. An obvious point today, but controversial then, that's how corrupt the church was. On the other hand, Reformed folk tend to say that this pietist stream overreacts and makes our personal devotions into religious works in which they effectively (though they may not realize it or admit it) trust for their salvation, instead of trusting in Christ.
At the Reformation (1520-1650) the Lutherans began in Germany, following Luther. The Reformed began primarily in France, Switzerland, Netherlands, and Scotland, following John Calvin. In the same European countries, some wanted a more radical break with Rome than Luther and Calvin were doing. These Anabaptists would rebaptize people coming out of the Catholic church (Luther/Calvin would not). Anabaptist is just Greek for "rebaptize." Some of the roots of the Baptists and Congregationalists come from these anabaptists, although they are NOT the same thing, in spite of the close name. (The Amish and Quakers are more direct descendants of the anabaptists.)
In England, the reformation was more political at first, so not much changed from Roman Catholic practice. They just kept doing basically the same thing as Rome, but declared independence from Roman authority. This was the Anglican Church - in America it is the Episcopalians. Others in England wanted to go in Calvin's direction, and usually had to separate from the state Anglican church to do it, as using the prayer book was enforced closely. (The prayer book had/has theology in it that is too Catholic for Protestants). From these Calvinist separatists came the Pilgrims that went to Holland, then to Plymouth on the Mayflower. Both these separatists and the Reformed on the European continent were presbyterian in government.
Later in England, John Wesley came along and stressed personal piety in reaction to the mostly spiritually dead state church. His Methodist Bible studies quickly became a movement in itself. Wesleyans, Congregationalists and Methodists come from this stream. He made many important points and fought for revival well. Argued that being a baptized member of a church doesn't guarantee salvation. An obvious point today, but controversial then, that's how corrupt the church was. On the other hand, Reformed folk tend to say that this pietist stream overreacts and makes our personal devotions into religious works in which they effectively (though they may not realize it or admit it) trust for their salvation, instead of trusting in Christ.
Pandora's Box of Music
A friend pointed me to a useful music website: www.pandora.com
Just type in "Silent Night," and you have your Christmas music for the season - all free! Or any other artist or song you like.
The catches are...
1. you need a high-speed internet connection. Dial-up won't work.
2. It can't play the exact song you ask for if it is licensed. It will get around to it, but picks song by style, randomly.
I found this perfect to start exploring the blues and jazz world...
Just type in "Silent Night," and you have your Christmas music for the season - all free! Or any other artist or song you like.
The catches are...
1. you need a high-speed internet connection. Dial-up won't work.
2. It can't play the exact song you ask for if it is licensed. It will get around to it, but picks song by style, randomly.
I found this perfect to start exploring the blues and jazz world...
12.17.2006
We three kings
We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star
Chorus:
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light
Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to rein
Chorus
Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Pray'r and praising, all men raising
Worship Him, God most high
Chorus
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb
Chorus
Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Earth to heav'n replies
Chorus
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star
Chorus:
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light
Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to rein
Chorus
Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Pray'r and praising, all men raising
Worship Him, God most high
Chorus
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb
Chorus
Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Earth to heav'n replies
Chorus
12.16.2006
A Great and Mighty Wonder
To the tune of "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming."
1. A great and mighty wonder
A full and holy cure!
The Virgin bears the Infant
With virgin-honour pure.
Refrain:
Repeat the hymn again:
"To God on high be glory
And peace on earth to men!"
2. The Word becomes Incarnate,
And yet remains on high:
And Cherubyn sing anthems
To shepherds from the sky.
Refrain
3. And we with them triumphant
Repeat the hymn agen:,
“To God on high be glory,
And peace on earth to men.”
Refrain
4. While thus they sing your Monarchy
Those bright angelick bands,
Rejoice, ye vales and mountains,
Ye oceans, clap your hands.
Refrain
5. Since all he comes to ransom,
By all be he adored,
The Infant born in Beth’lem,
The Saviour and the Lord.
Refrain
6. And1 idol forms shall perish,
And error shall decay,
And Christ shall wield his sceptre;
Our Lord and God for aye.
Refrain
1. A great and mighty wonder
A full and holy cure!
The Virgin bears the Infant
With virgin-honour pure.
Refrain:
Repeat the hymn again:
"To God on high be glory
And peace on earth to men!"
2. The Word becomes Incarnate,
And yet remains on high:
And Cherubyn sing anthems
To shepherds from the sky.
Refrain
3. And we with them triumphant
Repeat the hymn agen:,
“To God on high be glory,
And peace on earth to men.”
Refrain
4. While thus they sing your Monarchy
Those bright angelick bands,
Rejoice, ye vales and mountains,
Ye oceans, clap your hands.
Refrain
5. Since all he comes to ransom,
By all be he adored,
The Infant born in Beth’lem,
The Saviour and the Lord.
Refrain
6. And1 idol forms shall perish,
And error shall decay,
And Christ shall wield his sceptre;
Our Lord and God for aye.
Refrain
12.15.2006
O Lord, How Shall I Meet Thee?
Hear the music
1. O Lord, how shall I meet Thee,
How welcome Thee aright?
Thy people long to greet Thee,
My Hope, my heart's Delight!
O kindle, Lord, most holy,
Thy lamp within my breast
To do in spirit lowly
All that may please Thee best.
2. Thy Zion strews before Thee
Green boughs and fairest palms,
And I, too, will adore Thee
With joyous songs and psalms.
My heart shall bloom forever
For Thee with praises new
And from Thy name shall never
Withhold the honor due.
3. I lay in fetters, groaning,
Thou com'st to set me free;
I stood, my shame bemoaning,
Thou com'st to honor me;
A glory Thou dost give me,
A treasure safe on high,
That will not fail or leave me
As earthly riches fly.
4. Love caused Thy incarnation,
Love brought Thee down to me;
Thy thirst for my salvation
Procured my liberty.
O love beyond all telling,
That led Thee to embrace,
In love all love excelling,
Our lost and fallen race!
5. Rejoice, then, ye sad-hearted,
Who sit in deepest gloom,
Who mourn o'er joys departed
And tremble at your doom.
Despair not, He is near you,
Yea, standing at the door,
Who best can help and cheer you
And bids you weep no more.
6. Ye need not toil nor languish
Nor ponder day and night
How in the midst of anguish
Ye draw Him by your might.
He comes, He comes all willing,
Moved by His love alone,
Your woes and troubles stilling;
For all to Him are known.
7. Sin's debt, that fearful burden,
Let not your souls distress;
Your guilt the Lord will pardon
And cover by His grace.
He comes, for men procuring
The peace of sin forgiven,
For all God's sons securing
Their heritage in heaven.
8. What though the foes be raging,
Heed not their craft and spite;
Your Lord, the battle waging,
Will scatter all their might.
He comes, a King most glorious,
And all His earthly foes
In vain His course victorious
Endeavor to oppose.
9. He comes to judge the nations,
A terror to His foes,
A Light of consolations
And blessed Hope to those
Who love the Lord's appearing.
O glorious Sun, now come,
Send forth Thy beams so cheering,
And guide us safely home.
1. O Lord, how shall I meet Thee,
How welcome Thee aright?
Thy people long to greet Thee,
My Hope, my heart's Delight!
O kindle, Lord, most holy,
Thy lamp within my breast
To do in spirit lowly
All that may please Thee best.
2. Thy Zion strews before Thee
Green boughs and fairest palms,
And I, too, will adore Thee
With joyous songs and psalms.
My heart shall bloom forever
For Thee with praises new
And from Thy name shall never
Withhold the honor due.
3. I lay in fetters, groaning,
Thou com'st to set me free;
I stood, my shame bemoaning,
Thou com'st to honor me;
A glory Thou dost give me,
A treasure safe on high,
That will not fail or leave me
As earthly riches fly.
4. Love caused Thy incarnation,
Love brought Thee down to me;
Thy thirst for my salvation
Procured my liberty.
O love beyond all telling,
That led Thee to embrace,
In love all love excelling,
Our lost and fallen race!
5. Rejoice, then, ye sad-hearted,
Who sit in deepest gloom,
Who mourn o'er joys departed
And tremble at your doom.
Despair not, He is near you,
Yea, standing at the door,
Who best can help and cheer you
And bids you weep no more.
6. Ye need not toil nor languish
Nor ponder day and night
How in the midst of anguish
Ye draw Him by your might.
He comes, He comes all willing,
Moved by His love alone,
Your woes and troubles stilling;
For all to Him are known.
7. Sin's debt, that fearful burden,
Let not your souls distress;
Your guilt the Lord will pardon
And cover by His grace.
He comes, for men procuring
The peace of sin forgiven,
For all God's sons securing
Their heritage in heaven.
8. What though the foes be raging,
Heed not their craft and spite;
Your Lord, the battle waging,
Will scatter all their might.
He comes, a King most glorious,
And all His earthly foes
In vain His course victorious
Endeavor to oppose.
9. He comes to judge the nations,
A terror to His foes,
A Light of consolations
And blessed Hope to those
Who love the Lord's appearing.
O glorious Sun, now come,
Send forth Thy beams so cheering,
And guide us safely home.
12.14.2006
Infant holy, Infant lowly
1. Infant holy, Infant lowly, for His bed a cattle stall;
Oxen lowing, little knowing, Christ the Babe is Lord of all.
Swift are winging Angels singing, Noels ringing, Tidings bringing:
Christ the Babe is Lord of all.
2. Flocks were sleeping, Shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new
Saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of a gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow:
Christ the Babe was born for you.
Hear the music
Oxen lowing, little knowing, Christ the Babe is Lord of all.
Swift are winging Angels singing, Noels ringing, Tidings bringing:
Christ the Babe is Lord of all.
2. Flocks were sleeping, Shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new
Saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of a gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow:
Christ the Babe was born for you.
Hear the music
12.13.2006
Isaiah
Isaiah is one of my favorite books of the Bible. Here are excerpts of particularly moving or meaningful passages, with New Testament connections in parentheses.
Isaiah 24:7-8 (Rev 18:22)
The new wine fails, the vine languishes,
All the merry-hearted sigh.
The mirth of the tambourine ceases,
The noise of the jubilant ends,
The joy of the harp ceases.
24:14-16
They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing;
For the majesty of the Lord
They shall cry aloud from the sea.
Therefore glorify the Lord in the dawning light,
The name of the Lord God of Israel in the coastlands of the sea.
From the ends of the earth we have heard songs:
“Glory to the righteous!”
24:21-23
It shall come to pass in that day
That the Lord will punish on high the host of exalted ones,
And on the earth the kings of the earth. (Rev 6:15)
They will be gathered together,
As prisoners are gathered in the pit,
And will be shut up in the prison; (Rev 20:3)
After many days they will be punished.
Then the moon will be disgraced
And the sun ashamed;
For the Lord of hosts will reign
On Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
And before His elders, gloriously. (Rev 4:4)
25:6-9
And in this mountain
The Lord of hosts will make for all people
A feast of choice pieces,
A feast of wines on the lees, (John 2:1-10)
Of fat things full of marrow,
Of well-refined wines on the lees.
And He will destroy on this mountain
The surface of the covering cast over all people,
And the veil that is spread over all nations.
He will swallow up death forever, (1 Corinthians 15:54)
And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; (Rev 7:17; 20:14; 21:4)
The rebuke of His people
He will take away from all the earth;
For the Lord has spoken.
And it will be said in that day:
“Behold, this is our God;
We have waited for Him, and He will save us.
This is the Lord;
We have waited for Him;
We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”
26:8-9
Yes, in the way of Your judgments,
O Lord, we have waited for You;
The desire of our soul is for Your name
And for the remembrance of You.
With my soul I have desired You in the night,
Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early;
For when Your judgments are in the earth,
The inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
26:17-19 - read the right way, this passage shows us Jesus gloriously
As a woman with child
Is in pain and cries out in her pangs, (Rev 12:2)
When she draws near the time of her delivery,
So have we been in Your sight, O Lord.
We have been with child, we have been in pain;
We have, as it were, brought forth wind;
We have not accomplished any deliverance in the earth,
Nor have the inhabitants of the world fallen.
Your dead shall live;
Together with my dead body they shall arise. (Ephesians 2:5-6)
Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust; (Eph 5:14)
For your dew is like the dew of herbs,
And the earth shall cast out the dead.
27:1
In that day the Lord with His severe sword, great and strong, (Hebrews 4:12; Rev 1:16; 19:15)
Will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, (Rev 12:3,9)
Leviathan that twisted serpent;
And He will slay the reptile that is in the sea.
Isaiah 24:7-8 (Rev 18:22)
The new wine fails, the vine languishes,
All the merry-hearted sigh.
The mirth of the tambourine ceases,
The noise of the jubilant ends,
The joy of the harp ceases.
24:14-16
They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing;
For the majesty of the Lord
They shall cry aloud from the sea.
Therefore glorify the Lord in the dawning light,
The name of the Lord God of Israel in the coastlands of the sea.
From the ends of the earth we have heard songs:
“Glory to the righteous!”
24:21-23
It shall come to pass in that day
That the Lord will punish on high the host of exalted ones,
And on the earth the kings of the earth. (Rev 6:15)
They will be gathered together,
As prisoners are gathered in the pit,
And will be shut up in the prison; (Rev 20:3)
After many days they will be punished.
Then the moon will be disgraced
And the sun ashamed;
For the Lord of hosts will reign
On Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
And before His elders, gloriously. (Rev 4:4)
25:6-9
And in this mountain
The Lord of hosts will make for all people
A feast of choice pieces,
A feast of wines on the lees, (John 2:1-10)
Of fat things full of marrow,
Of well-refined wines on the lees.
And He will destroy on this mountain
The surface of the covering cast over all people,
And the veil that is spread over all nations.
He will swallow up death forever, (1 Corinthians 15:54)
And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; (Rev 7:17; 20:14; 21:4)
The rebuke of His people
He will take away from all the earth;
For the Lord has spoken.
And it will be said in that day:
“Behold, this is our God;
We have waited for Him, and He will save us.
This is the Lord;
We have waited for Him;
We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”
26:8-9
Yes, in the way of Your judgments,
O Lord, we have waited for You;
The desire of our soul is for Your name
And for the remembrance of You.
With my soul I have desired You in the night,
Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early;
For when Your judgments are in the earth,
The inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
26:17-19 - read the right way, this passage shows us Jesus gloriously
As a woman with child
Is in pain and cries out in her pangs, (Rev 12:2)
When she draws near the time of her delivery,
So have we been in Your sight, O Lord.
We have been with child, we have been in pain;
We have, as it were, brought forth wind;
We have not accomplished any deliverance in the earth,
Nor have the inhabitants of the world fallen.
Your dead shall live;
Together with my dead body they shall arise. (Ephesians 2:5-6)
Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust; (Eph 5:14)
For your dew is like the dew of herbs,
And the earth shall cast out the dead.
27:1
In that day the Lord with His severe sword, great and strong, (Hebrews 4:12; Rev 1:16; 19:15)
Will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, (Rev 12:3,9)
Leviathan that twisted serpent;
And He will slay the reptile that is in the sea.
Lo, how a rose e'er blooming
1. Lo, how a rose e'er blooming,
From tender stem hath sprung!
From Jesse’s lineage coming,
As men of old have sung.
It came, a floweret bright,
Amid the cold of winter
When half spent was the night
2. Isaiah 'twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind
With Mary we behold it,
The Virgin mother kind
To show God's love aright,
She bore to us a Savior
When half spent was the night
3. The shepherds heard the story
Proclaimed by angels bright,
How Christ, the Lord of Glory
Was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped
And in the manger they found him,
As angels heralds said.
4. This Flower, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
The darkness everywhere;
True man, yet very God,
From Sin and death he saves us,
And lightens every load.
From tender stem hath sprung!
From Jesse’s lineage coming,
As men of old have sung.
It came, a floweret bright,
Amid the cold of winter
When half spent was the night
2. Isaiah 'twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind
With Mary we behold it,
The Virgin mother kind
To show God's love aright,
She bore to us a Savior
When half spent was the night
3. The shepherds heard the story
Proclaimed by angels bright,
How Christ, the Lord of Glory
Was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped
And in the manger they found him,
As angels heralds said.
4. This Flower, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
The darkness everywhere;
True man, yet very God,
From Sin and death he saves us,
And lightens every load.
12.12.2006
John Calvin, Presuppositionalist
"They who strive to build up firm faith in Scripture through disputation are doing things backwards.... The testimony of the Spirit is more excellent than all reason. For God alone is a fit witness to Himself in his Word, so also the Word will not find acceptance in men's hearts before it is sealed by the inward testimony of the Spirit. The same Spirit, therefore, who has spoken through the mouths of the prophets must penetrate into our hearts to persuade us that they faithfully proclaim what has been divinely commanded.... I speak of nothing other than what each believer experiences within himself."
John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, pgs 79-80.
Quoted in Evangelicalism Divided, by Iain Murray, pg 157-8.
"Presuppositionalist? What's that?"
This position emphasizes that we cannot argue logically from a neutral position, proving conclusively the truth for an unbeliever. Without the Spirit's work, they will remain unbelievers (1 Corinthians 2:14). Of course, this doesn't mean we shouldn't provide arguments; just that we shouldn't expect them to go very far without God's softening the heart of the listener (1 Peter 3:15).
Another great advent hymn
Behold the Bridegroom cometh in the middle of the night,
and blest is he whose loins are girt, whose lamp is burning bright;
but woe to that dull servant, whom the Master shall surprise
with lamp untrimmed, unburning, and with slumber in his eyes.
Do thou, my soul, beware, beware, lest thou in sleep sink down,
lest thou be given o'er to death, and lose the golden crown;
but see that thou be sober, with a watchful eye, and thus
cry--"Holy, holy, holy God, have mercy upon us."
That day, the day of fear, shall come; my soul, slack not thy toil,
but light thy lamp, and feed it well, and make it bright with oil;
who knowest not how soon may sound the cry at eventide,
"Behold the Bridegroom comes! Arise! Go forth to meet the bride."
Beware, my soul; beware, beware, lest thou in slumber lie,
and, like the Five, remain without, and knock, and vainly cry;
but watch, and bear thy lamp undimmed, and Christ shall gird thee on
his own bright wedding-robe of light--the glory of the Son.
and blest is he whose loins are girt, whose lamp is burning bright;
but woe to that dull servant, whom the Master shall surprise
with lamp untrimmed, unburning, and with slumber in his eyes.
Do thou, my soul, beware, beware, lest thou in sleep sink down,
lest thou be given o'er to death, and lose the golden crown;
but see that thou be sober, with a watchful eye, and thus
cry--"Holy, holy, holy God, have mercy upon us."
That day, the day of fear, shall come; my soul, slack not thy toil,
but light thy lamp, and feed it well, and make it bright with oil;
who knowest not how soon may sound the cry at eventide,
"Behold the Bridegroom comes! Arise! Go forth to meet the bride."
Beware, my soul; beware, beware, lest thou in slumber lie,
and, like the Five, remain without, and knock, and vainly cry;
but watch, and bear thy lamp undimmed, and Christ shall gird thee on
his own bright wedding-robe of light--the glory of the Son.
12.11.2006
Christmas with Little Ones
Everyone seems to resent the busyness of the Christmas season - too many parties, cleaning, cards, baking, shopping, cleaning, church programs, feasting, did I mention cleaning?? One friend I recently talked with expressed a desire for PEACE for the season. A worthy goal, but how does one rest in peace with so much activity and little ones scurrying around?
I brainstormed a few ideas for a quick, quiet family time to be worked into each day. With so many "after 5:00" events, perhaps breakfast or another day-time would be best to share some quiet moments with the kids remembering the real meaning of Christmas. These may not all foster peace and quiet, but could become a new family tradition!
1. read a few pages of a book together over popcorn and apples (we are enjoying "The Long Winter" by Laura Ingalls)
2. sing a few Christmas carols together
3. add an ornament to the tree each day
4. Write a note to a relative or neighbor (or draw a picture for the really wee ones)
5. read the day's delivery of Christmas cards while munching homemade cookies (Oreos work, too) - remember to pray for the folks you received cards from, too
6. play a game together, like Pin the Nose on the Snowman or toss giant marshmallows into bowls (who says you can't play with your food?)
7. get a large Mary and Joseph and move them closer and closer to a Nativiy scene each day, arriving on Christmas
8. Use those fire-roasted chestnuts and a rubber band to "shoot" down paper cutouts of Santa and his reindeer (parental supervision suggested)
9. have an indoor snowball fight with styrofoam balls (good for snow-challenged regions)
10. work on memorizing Luke 2 as a family - see how many hand motions you can add to aid in remembering it.
I brainstormed a few ideas for a quick, quiet family time to be worked into each day. With so many "after 5:00" events, perhaps breakfast or another day-time would be best to share some quiet moments with the kids remembering the real meaning of Christmas. These may not all foster peace and quiet, but could become a new family tradition!
1. read a few pages of a book together over popcorn and apples (we are enjoying "The Long Winter" by Laura Ingalls)
2. sing a few Christmas carols together
3. add an ornament to the tree each day
4. Write a note to a relative or neighbor (or draw a picture for the really wee ones)
5. read the day's delivery of Christmas cards while munching homemade cookies (Oreos work, too) - remember to pray for the folks you received cards from, too
6. play a game together, like Pin the Nose on the Snowman or toss giant marshmallows into bowls (who says you can't play with your food?)
7. get a large Mary and Joseph and move them closer and closer to a Nativiy scene each day, arriving on Christmas
8. Use those fire-roasted chestnuts and a rubber band to "shoot" down paper cutouts of Santa and his reindeer (parental supervision suggested)
9. have an indoor snowball fight with styrofoam balls (good for snow-challenged regions)
10. work on memorizing Luke 2 as a family - see how many hand motions you can add to aid in remembering it.
Communion exhortation - 12/10/06
In Proverbs, lady wisdom spreads a banquet and calls us to partake. Speaking figuratively from Scripture, it is not only Jesus Himself who calls us to share the banquet, but His bride, the church. The Spirit and the Bride say “Come” (Revelation 22). As we share table fellowship with Him, we are also sharing table fellowship with her. Joined with her, who is joined with Christ, we grow in wisdom.
Women, you prepare many tables, over and over, for your husbands and children. And so our Lord prepares a table before us, week after week. Very often, when everyone sits down, they don’t realize all the work that went into the planning, shopping, cooking, table setting and more. And so we are tempted to ingratitude. And in the same way, we have little idea all that went into the preparation of this feast. We come as little children, unaware of all the preparation. Oh, we have some idea, from Scripture, enough to keep us thankful. From God putting up with the complaining Israelites with their manna, to Jesus crying out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” We get an inkling. Maybe it seems this way for you in some meals, but it is really true that Jesus went through hell to prepare this table for you.
And so respond in faith by lifting the cup of salvation, and calling on Yahweh’s name.
He has brought you to His banqueting table. He has prepared a place for you. His banner over you is love. The Spirit and the Bride say “Come.”
Women, you prepare many tables, over and over, for your husbands and children. And so our Lord prepares a table before us, week after week. Very often, when everyone sits down, they don’t realize all the work that went into the planning, shopping, cooking, table setting and more. And so we are tempted to ingratitude. And in the same way, we have little idea all that went into the preparation of this feast. We come as little children, unaware of all the preparation. Oh, we have some idea, from Scripture, enough to keep us thankful. From God putting up with the complaining Israelites with their manna, to Jesus crying out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” We get an inkling. Maybe it seems this way for you in some meals, but it is really true that Jesus went through hell to prepare this table for you.
And so respond in faith by lifting the cup of salvation, and calling on Yahweh’s name.
He has brought you to His banqueting table. He has prepared a place for you. His banner over you is love. The Spirit and the Bride say “Come.”
Communion exhortation - 12/3/06
When the king prepared a wedding banquet, but none came, He sought others to come, that there be no empty seats. Be sure you do not despise the feast prepared for you. Honor the host’s preparations. Don’t do so by taking a small piece and making yourself as small and inconspicuous as possible in a corner. Jesus Christ is here rejoicing over you (Isaiah 62:5). Chew on that for a while. Rejoice and glory in Him.
Are you worthy to be here? Not on your own merit. But your Lord has provided you with wedding clothes – Jesus Christ’s own obedience. Express your gratitude to Him by enjoying His presence, by enjoying the feast He has made ready.
Be sure to discern the body of which we partake. First, If you are deliberately out of fellowship with Christ, if you don’t really want to be here, then do not partake. Second, If you are out of fellowship with any member of His body gathered around you, realize that you have 7 days before you will be here again. Prepare for Christ’s arrival. If you are taking delight in the broken relationship, then do not come to this table. Third, If you are out of fellowship with any member of Christ’s Body, the Church universal, gathered elsewhere this morning, beware. Are you taking delight in that break, glad you don’t have to deal with THEM anymore? Then do not come.
Discern the Body in these 3 ways. But none of us is in perfect fellowship with God or our neighbor. If you are saddened by the sin you see remaining, if you truly desire closer fellowship with your Savior and His people, then come, regardless of the sin that tries to hinder you.
He has brought you to His banqueting table. He has prepared a place for you. His banner over you is love.
Are you worthy to be here? Not on your own merit. But your Lord has provided you with wedding clothes – Jesus Christ’s own obedience. Express your gratitude to Him by enjoying His presence, by enjoying the feast He has made ready.
Be sure to discern the body of which we partake. First, If you are deliberately out of fellowship with Christ, if you don’t really want to be here, then do not partake. Second, If you are out of fellowship with any member of His body gathered around you, realize that you have 7 days before you will be here again. Prepare for Christ’s arrival. If you are taking delight in the broken relationship, then do not come to this table. Third, If you are out of fellowship with any member of Christ’s Body, the Church universal, gathered elsewhere this morning, beware. Are you taking delight in that break, glad you don’t have to deal with THEM anymore? Then do not come.
Discern the Body in these 3 ways. But none of us is in perfect fellowship with God or our neighbor. If you are saddened by the sin you see remaining, if you truly desire closer fellowship with your Savior and His people, then come, regardless of the sin that tries to hinder you.
He has brought you to His banqueting table. He has prepared a place for you. His banner over you is love.
Communion exhortation - 11/26/06
In 1st century Galilee, when a young man and woman were considering marriage, they would meet with their fathers and a cup of wine would be poured. The young man would take it, hand it to the young lady and say, “This cup is a covenant with my blood.” The lady then took the cup, and had a choice. She could refuse to drink, and the relationship was over. If she took the cup and drank, she engaged herself to the man, and they would later be married.
And so Jesus, during the 3rd cup of the Passover ritual, catches His disciples off guard to say the least, when he holds out a cup of wine to them, and says the same thing a man would when proposing marriage: “This cup is a covenant in My blood.” The question before you is, will you renew this covenant? Most of you, this is not the first time your Bridegroom has given you the cup. But little has changed since the first time. We are still waiting for the wedding; still proclaiming the Lord’s death until He comes.
Remember today, what He went through to spread His garment over you (Ruth 3:9), to take you to Himself. Remember with Thanksgiving.
And so Jesus, during the 3rd cup of the Passover ritual, catches His disciples off guard to say the least, when he holds out a cup of wine to them, and says the same thing a man would when proposing marriage: “This cup is a covenant in My blood.” The question before you is, will you renew this covenant? Most of you, this is not the first time your Bridegroom has given you the cup. But little has changed since the first time. We are still waiting for the wedding; still proclaiming the Lord’s death until He comes.
Remember today, what He went through to spread His garment over you (Ruth 3:9), to take you to Himself. Remember with Thanksgiving.
In the Bleak Mid-Winter
Hear the music
1. In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.
2. Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
3. Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
but his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the beloved with a kiss.
4. What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him: give my heart.
1. In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.
2. Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
3. Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
but his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the beloved with a kiss.
4. What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him: give my heart.
12.10.2006
2 more meditations on the Incarnation
A wondrous mystery
A wondrous mystery comes to light today:
natures are transformed,
God has become man.
What he was before, he still remains,
though garbed in a nature that was never his:
Godhead undebased
and undivided.
To a Child Crying
To a child crying in the cold
come three kings to worhsip Him,
for this child can bestow
kingdoms, life, glory and heaven.
He is born in lowliness,
although He is a mighty king.
For by decree He comes to us
in humility and poverty.
For this child crying in the cold
come three kings.
A wondrous mystery comes to light today:
natures are transformed,
God has become man.
What he was before, he still remains,
though garbed in a nature that was never his:
Godhead undebased
and undivided.
To a Child Crying
To a child crying in the cold
come three kings to worhsip Him,
for this child can bestow
kingdoms, life, glory and heaven.
He is born in lowliness,
although He is a mighty king.
For by decree He comes to us
in humility and poverty.
For this child crying in the cold
come three kings.
12.09.2006
Brightest and Best
Hail the blest morn, see the great Mediator
Down from the regions of glory descend.
Shepherds, go worship the Babe in the manger.
Lo, for a guard the bright angels attend.
Brightest and best of the Suns of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us Thine aid!
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
Cold on His cradle the dew drops are shining.
Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall.
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining;
Maker and monarch and savior of all!
Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gifts would His favor secure.
Richer by far is the heart’s adoration.
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
Down from the regions of glory descend.
Shepherds, go worship the Babe in the manger.
Lo, for a guard the bright angels attend.
Brightest and best of the Suns of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us Thine aid!
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
Cold on His cradle the dew drops are shining.
Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall.
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining;
Maker and monarch and savior of all!
Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gifts would His favor secure.
Richer by far is the heart’s adoration.
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
12.08.2006
The Wexford Carol
Good people all, this Christmastime,
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done
In sending His beloved Son.
O let us all both sing and pray
To God with love this Christmas Day;
In Bethlehem that Christmas morn
There was a blessed Messiah born.
The night before that happytide,
The noble Virgin and her guide
Were long time seeking up and down
To find a lodging in the town.
But mark how all things came to pass.
From ev'ry door turned back, alas.
As long foretold, their refuge all
Was but an humble ox's stall.
Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep;
To whom God's angels did appear,
Which put the shepherds in great fear.
"Prepare and go," the angels said,
"To Bethlehem, be not afraid;
For there you'll find, this happy morn,
A princely babe, sweet Jesus born."
With thankful heart and joyful mind
The shepherds went the Babe to find
And as God's angel had foretold
They did our Savior Christ behold.
Within a manger He was laid,
And by His side the Virgin Maid
Attending on the Lord of Life
Who came on earth to end all strife.
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done
In sending His beloved Son.
O let us all both sing and pray
To God with love this Christmas Day;
In Bethlehem that Christmas morn
There was a blessed Messiah born.
The night before that happytide,
The noble Virgin and her guide
Were long time seeking up and down
To find a lodging in the town.
But mark how all things came to pass.
From ev'ry door turned back, alas.
As long foretold, their refuge all
Was but an humble ox's stall.
Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep;
To whom God's angels did appear,
Which put the shepherds in great fear.
"Prepare and go," the angels said,
"To Bethlehem, be not afraid;
For there you'll find, this happy morn,
A princely babe, sweet Jesus born."
With thankful heart and joyful mind
The shepherds went the Babe to find
And as God's angel had foretold
They did our Savior Christ behold.
Within a manger He was laid,
And by His side the Virgin Maid
Attending on the Lord of Life
Who came on earth to end all strife.
12.07.2006
A Virgin Unspotted
This is easily my favorite new-to-me Christmas song this year...
Hear and see the music
1. A Virgin unspotted, the prophet foretold,
Should bring forth a Savior, which now we behold.
To be our Redeemer from death, hell and sin,
Which Adam's transgression had wrapped us in.
Chorus
Aye and therefore be merry, set sorrow aside,
Christ Jesus, our Savior, was born on this tide.
2. At Bethlehem city in Jewry, it was
That Joseph and Mary together did pass,
Alt for to be taxed with many one more,
Great Cesar commanded the same should be so. Chorus
3. But when they had entered the city so fair,
A number of people so mighty was there,
That Joseph and Mary, whose substance was small,
Could find in the inn there no lodging at all. Chorus
4. Then were they constrained in a stable to lie,
Where horses and asses they used for to tie:
Their lodging so simple they took it no scorn,
But against the next morning our Saviour was born. Chorus
5. The King of all Kings to this world being brought,
Small store of fine linen to wrap Him was sought,
But when she had swaddled her young Son so sweet,
Within an ox manger she laid Him to sleep. Chorus
6. Then God sent an angel from Heaven so high,
To certain poor shepherds in fields where they lie,
And bade them no Longer in sorrow to stay,
Because that our Saviour was born on this day. Chorus
7. Then presently after the shepherds did spy
Vast numbers of Angels to stand in the sky;
They joyfully talk and sweetly did sing,
To God be all glory, our heavenly King. Chorus
8. To teach us humility all this was done,
And learn we from thence haughty pride for to shun:
A manger His cradle who came from above,
The great God of mercy, of peace, and of love. Chorus
Hear and see the music
1. A Virgin unspotted, the prophet foretold,
Should bring forth a Savior, which now we behold.
To be our Redeemer from death, hell and sin,
Which Adam's transgression had wrapped us in.
Chorus
Aye and therefore be merry, set sorrow aside,
Christ Jesus, our Savior, was born on this tide.
2. At Bethlehem city in Jewry, it was
That Joseph and Mary together did pass,
Alt for to be taxed with many one more,
Great Cesar commanded the same should be so. Chorus
3. But when they had entered the city so fair,
A number of people so mighty was there,
That Joseph and Mary, whose substance was small,
Could find in the inn there no lodging at all. Chorus
4. Then were they constrained in a stable to lie,
Where horses and asses they used for to tie:
Their lodging so simple they took it no scorn,
But against the next morning our Saviour was born. Chorus
5. The King of all Kings to this world being brought,
Small store of fine linen to wrap Him was sought,
But when she had swaddled her young Son so sweet,
Within an ox manger she laid Him to sleep. Chorus
6. Then God sent an angel from Heaven so high,
To certain poor shepherds in fields where they lie,
And bade them no Longer in sorrow to stay,
Because that our Saviour was born on this day. Chorus
7. Then presently after the shepherds did spy
Vast numbers of Angels to stand in the sky;
They joyfully talk and sweetly did sing,
To God be all glory, our heavenly King. Chorus
8. To teach us humility all this was done,
And learn we from thence haughty pride for to shun:
A manger His cradle who came from above,
The great God of mercy, of peace, and of love. Chorus
On Grievances
by Douglas Wilson, 11/15/06
"There are two sins related to this that we must overcome before we can obey the Lord here. The first is the idea, just mentioned, that we have a right to our disagreements so long as they are amicably held. Of course, it is better to be amicable than nasty, but this is still a means to the end. The end is agreement, not agreeable disagreement. An important means to like-mindedness is amicable disagreement, but it must never be mistaken for the end.
The second sin we must fight is the sin of the grievance. A grievance is never mere disagreement. A grievance always has an edge; a grievance is personal; a grievance resents; a grievance imputes motives; a grievance is suspicious; a grievance is an insult to the love of God in Christ."
"There are two sins related to this that we must overcome before we can obey the Lord here. The first is the idea, just mentioned, that we have a right to our disagreements so long as they are amicably held. Of course, it is better to be amicable than nasty, but this is still a means to the end. The end is agreement, not agreeable disagreement. An important means to like-mindedness is amicable disagreement, but it must never be mistaken for the end.
The second sin we must fight is the sin of the grievance. A grievance is never mere disagreement. A grievance always has an edge; a grievance is personal; a grievance resents; a grievance imputes motives; a grievance is suspicious; a grievance is an insult to the love of God in Christ."
Sing Christmas Songs!
Everyone, go here and get in the Spirit by singing some songs for the season!
It's all free piano music, with lyrics, and played in audio for you, if you want.
I'm ecstatic!
It's all free piano music, with lyrics, and played in audio for you, if you want.
I'm ecstatic!
12.06.2006
Three Ships
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day, in the morning.
And who was in those ships all three
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?
And who was in those ships all three
On Christmas Day, in the morning?
Twas Joseph and his Fair Ladye,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
Twas Joseph and his Fair Ladye,
On Christmas Day, in the morning.
O, he did whistle and she did sing,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
O, he did whistle and she did sing,
On Christmas Day, in the morning.
Saint Michael was the steeres-man,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
Saint Michael was the steeres-man,
On Christmas Day, in the morning.
Pray whither sailed those ships all three?
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
Pray whither sailed those ships all three?
On Christmas Day, in the morning.
O, they sailed unto Bethlehem
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
O, they sailed unto Bethlehem
On Christmas Day, in the morning.
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day, in the morning.
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day, in the morning.
And who was in those ships all three
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?
And who was in those ships all three
On Christmas Day, in the morning?
Twas Joseph and his Fair Ladye,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
Twas Joseph and his Fair Ladye,
On Christmas Day, in the morning.
O, he did whistle and she did sing,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
O, he did whistle and she did sing,
On Christmas Day, in the morning.
Saint Michael was the steeres-man,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
Saint Michael was the steeres-man,
On Christmas Day, in the morning.
Pray whither sailed those ships all three?
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
Pray whither sailed those ships all three?
On Christmas Day, in the morning.
O, they sailed unto Bethlehem
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
O, they sailed unto Bethlehem
On Christmas Day, in the morning.
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day, in the morning.
12.05.2006
With Sweet Jubilation
With Sweet Jubilation
now sing and be joyful!
Our heart's delight lies
in a manger,
and shines like the sun
in His mother's lap.
He is our Alpha and Omega.
O infant Jesus,
I yearn for You always!
Give comfort to me, my heart, O best of boys;
through all of your goodness,
O Prince of Glory,
draw me after you!
O love of the Father!
O mercy of the Son!
We would remain as the lost
through our sins;
but He has gained for us
the joys of Heaven;
Oh! there we would remain!
now sing and be joyful!
Our heart's delight lies
in a manger,
and shines like the sun
in His mother's lap.
He is our Alpha and Omega.
O infant Jesus,
I yearn for You always!
Give comfort to me, my heart, O best of boys;
through all of your goodness,
O Prince of Glory,
draw me after you!
O love of the Father!
O mercy of the Son!
We would remain as the lost
through our sins;
but He has gained for us
the joys of Heaven;
Oh! there we would remain!
12.04.2006
Masters in This Hall
1. Masters in this Hall,
Hear ye news to-day
Brought from over sea,
And ever I you pray:
Chorus
Nowell! Nowell! Nowell!
Nowell, sing we clear!
Holpen are all folk on earth,
Born is God's son so dear:
Nowell! Nowell! Nowell!
Nowell, sing we loud!
God to-day hath poor folk raised
And cast a-down the proud.
2. Going o'er the hills,
Through the milk-white snow,
Heard I ewes bleat
While the wind did blow: Chorus
3. Shepherds many an one
Sat among the sheep,
No man spake more word
Than they had been asleep: Chorus
4. Quoth I, "Fellows mine,
Why this guise sit ye?
Making but dull cheer,
Shepherds though ye be? Chorus
5. "Shepherds should of right
Leap and dance and sing,
Thus to see ye sit,
Is a right strange thing": Chorus
6. Quoth these fellows then,
"To Bethlem town we go,
To see a mighty lord
Lie in manger low": Chorus
7. "How name ye this lord,
Shepherds?' then said I,
"Very God," they said,
"Come from Heaven high": Chorus
8. Then to Bethlem town
We went two and two,
And in a sorry place
Heard the oxen low: Chorus
9. Therein did we see
A sweet and goodly may
And a fair old man,
Upon the straw she lay: Chorus
10. And a little child
On her arm had she,
"Wot ye who this is?"
Said the hinds to me: Chorus
11. Ox and ass him know,
Kneeling on their knee,
Wondrous joy had I
This little babe to see: Chorus
12. This is Christ the Lord,
Masters be ye glad!
Christmas is come in,
And no folk should be sad: Chorus
Hear ye news to-day
Brought from over sea,
And ever I you pray:
Chorus
Nowell! Nowell! Nowell!
Nowell, sing we clear!
Holpen are all folk on earth,
Born is God's son so dear:
Nowell! Nowell! Nowell!
Nowell, sing we loud!
God to-day hath poor folk raised
And cast a-down the proud.
2. Going o'er the hills,
Through the milk-white snow,
Heard I ewes bleat
While the wind did blow: Chorus
3. Shepherds many an one
Sat among the sheep,
No man spake more word
Than they had been asleep: Chorus
4. Quoth I, "Fellows mine,
Why this guise sit ye?
Making but dull cheer,
Shepherds though ye be? Chorus
5. "Shepherds should of right
Leap and dance and sing,
Thus to see ye sit,
Is a right strange thing": Chorus
6. Quoth these fellows then,
"To Bethlem town we go,
To see a mighty lord
Lie in manger low": Chorus
7. "How name ye this lord,
Shepherds?' then said I,
"Very God," they said,
"Come from Heaven high": Chorus
8. Then to Bethlem town
We went two and two,
And in a sorry place
Heard the oxen low: Chorus
9. Therein did we see
A sweet and goodly may
And a fair old man,
Upon the straw she lay: Chorus
10. And a little child
On her arm had she,
"Wot ye who this is?"
Said the hinds to me: Chorus
11. Ox and ass him know,
Kneeling on their knee,
Wondrous joy had I
This little babe to see: Chorus
12. This is Christ the Lord,
Masters be ye glad!
Christmas is come in,
And no folk should be sad: Chorus
12.03.2006
The Lord's Supper
Tabletalk's November issue, pg 15:
"The traditional Reformed view of the Lord's Supper.... differs markedly from memorialism in claiming that Christ is indeed present in His sSUpper. More is involved than a remembrance on the part of the participants....
"The eating of drinking [of Christ, referred to in John 6] is not physical but is nonetheless real and true. Christ does not come down to us in His body and bolood; rather we are lifeted up to Him by the Holy Spirit....
"There is both a real, objective communion in the Lord's Supper and, at the same time, the condition of those who receive it is not incidental or superfluous. We feed on Christ through faith, just as He taught. Just as we need a mouth to receive bread and wine, so we need faith to receive Christ. As Robert Bruce put it, 'As soon as you receive the bread in your mouth (if you are a faithful man or woman) you receive the body of Christ in your soul, and that by faith' (They Mystery of the Lord's Supper, 44)."
On a personal note, it is a tremendous blessing to be partaking of the Supper every week in worship...
"The traditional Reformed view of the Lord's Supper.... differs markedly from memorialism in claiming that Christ is indeed present in His sSUpper. More is involved than a remembrance on the part of the participants....
"The eating of drinking [of Christ, referred to in John 6] is not physical but is nonetheless real and true. Christ does not come down to us in His body and bolood; rather we are lifeted up to Him by the Holy Spirit....
"There is both a real, objective communion in the Lord's Supper and, at the same time, the condition of those who receive it is not incidental or superfluous. We feed on Christ through faith, just as He taught. Just as we need a mouth to receive bread and wine, so we need faith to receive Christ. As Robert Bruce put it, 'As soon as you receive the bread in your mouth (if you are a faithful man or woman) you receive the body of Christ in your soul, and that by faith' (They Mystery of the Lord's Supper, 44)."
On a personal note, it is a tremendous blessing to be partaking of the Supper every week in worship...
Lord of the Dance
Not exactly Christmas, except the first verse, but great lyrics, nonetheless.
Hear the music
I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
And I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth,
At Bethlehem I had my birth.
Refrain:
Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he.
And I’ll lead you all wherever you may be,
And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.
I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee,
But they would not dance and they would not follow me;
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John;
They came to me and the dance went on.
Refrain
I danced on the sabbath when I cured the lame,
The holy people said it was a shame;
They whipped and they stripped and they hung me high;
And they left me there on a cross to die.
Refrain
I danced on a Friday and the sky turned black;
It’s hard to dance with the devil on your back;
They buried my body and they thought I’d gone,
But I am the dance and I still go on.
Refrain
They cut me down and I leapt up high,
I am the life that’ll never, never die;
I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me;
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he.
Refrain
Hear the music
I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
And I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth,
At Bethlehem I had my birth.
Refrain:
Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he.
And I’ll lead you all wherever you may be,
And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.
I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee,
But they would not dance and they would not follow me;
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John;
They came to me and the dance went on.
Refrain
I danced on the sabbath when I cured the lame,
The holy people said it was a shame;
They whipped and they stripped and they hung me high;
And they left me there on a cross to die.
Refrain
I danced on a Friday and the sky turned black;
It’s hard to dance with the devil on your back;
They buried my body and they thought I’d gone,
But I am the dance and I still go on.
Refrain
They cut me down and I leapt up high,
I am the life that’ll never, never die;
I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me;
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he.
Refrain
12.02.2006
The Holly and the Ivy
Hear music
The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown
Chorus:
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir
The holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Saviour
(Chorus)
The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good
(Chorus)
The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn.
(Chorus)
The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.
(Chorus)
The holly and the ivy
Now both are full well grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
(Chorus)
The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown
Chorus:
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir
The holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Saviour
(Chorus)
The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good
(Chorus)
The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn.
(Chorus)
The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.
(Chorus)
The holly and the ivy
Now both are full well grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
(Chorus)
12.01.2006
Sweet Jesus
An old German carol, harmonized by Bach
Hear it sung (may take a minute)
O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild,
The Father's will done by a child;
From heaven you came down to the earth,
and gave yourself a human birth
O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild.
O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild,
You turned your Father's anger wild;
You paid the debt of all our race,
bestowed on us your Father's grace,
O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild.
O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild,
Love's beauty found in this small child;
Inspire us with your love's bright flame,
So we all may love you the same,
O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild.
Hear it sung (may take a minute)
O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild,
The Father's will done by a child;
From heaven you came down to the earth,
and gave yourself a human birth
O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild.
O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild,
You turned your Father's anger wild;
You paid the debt of all our race,
bestowed on us your Father's grace,
O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild.
O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild,
Love's beauty found in this small child;
Inspire us with your love's bright flame,
So we all may love you the same,
O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild.
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