And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: Isaiah 11:1
I enjoy the Christmas play. The excitement. The last minute costume changes. The music. The hushed wonder. The laughter and the tears. For who can watch a reenactment of the Christ child and not remember the reason why He came?
And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. Isaiah 11:2-5
History
Words- 1816 James Montgomery
Music- 1867 Henry T. Smart
Favorite line
Gather all the nations to Him; ev’ry knee shall then bow down.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14
Wall to wall people. The city crowded with both man and beast. No room available for weary travelers until…
A stable, a stall, and a manger. Nestled away from the crowd and endless noise, Heaven and Earth met. Perfect love was born. Immanuel—God with us.
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:1-7
History:
The lyrics were written by Joseph Mohr and the melody by Franz Xaver Gruber. The song made its debut on Christmas Eve 1818.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
My son, Levi, often fails to hear what I’m saying because he’s too busy trying to figure out where I’m going with the conversation. Through the years, it’s become my habit to begin our conversations with “Just listen. Don’t try to figure out where I’m going. Just listen to what I’m saying.”
As a planner, Levi tries to stay a step ahead. Nothing wrong with that. We need to make some plans. But many times, I find myself doing the same thing when it comes to my faith walk. I ponder where the Lord is taking me, what He is doing with me, and how it will turn out in the end. When all He wants me to do is listen. Not try to figure it out. But listen, and then, obey.
I think of my inclinations when reading Joseph’s response to his pregnant betrothed in the first chapter of Matthew. I don’t get to hear all his thoughts, but I can speculate what he must have been thinking while lying there. Did he replay the facts over and over like a soundtrack on repeat? Did he question God’s plans the way we so often do amid our storms? Did he think of the prophet’s words foretelling a virgin birth? Or, did he ponder his neighbor’s reaction? Imagine his own reaction when the angel appeared!
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceivedin her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for heshall save his people from their sins.”
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. Matthew 1:18-25
Certainly, God’s ways are higher than our own. For who would have thought to send a babe to save the world? I wouldn’t have. But, I’m so glad He did! Hallelujah!
History:
Songwriters: Donald A. Koch, David Allen Clark, and Mark R. Harris
