Tidings of Great Joy

/ Gail Johnson / 14 Comments

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people (Luke 2:10).

Photo courtesy of Laura Nyhuis on Pixabay

Joy to the World

Joy to the world! The Lord is come: Let earth receive her King; let ev’ry heart prepare Him room, and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! 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, and wonders of His love.

Joy to the World by Issac Watts 1719 Public Domain

Merry Christmas, dear friends!

The First Noel

/ Gail Johnson / 10 Comments

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men (Luke 2: 8-14 KJV).

The First Noel

The first Noel the angel 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.

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.

Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heav’nly Lord; that hath made heav’n and earth of naught, and with His blood mankind hath bought.

An Invitation

Did you notice the last verse is an invitation to worship? “And with His blood mankind hath bought.” What a glorious thought! Doesn’t that make you want to sing praises to our heavenly Lord?

“The First Noel” is an English Carol in Public Domain

Photo by Angeleses on Pixabay

Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow

/ Gail Johnson / 6 Comments 
Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. 
Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. 
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. 
Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. 
Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. 
Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD (Psalm 150).
Praise God, from whom all blessing flow; praise Him all creatures here below; praise Him above, ye heav'nly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Thomas Ken 1637-1711, Public Domain

Happy Thanksgiving, dear friends! May His love, joy, and peace fill your hearts as you offer praise to Him. ❤