Silent Night..Gina Smith

 Silent Night

By Gina Smith

Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace…

We’ve spent the past few days talking about how to find biblical joy by focusing on the truths that are found in the theologically packed hymns we have been singing all of our lives. I don’t know about you, but meditating on these lyrics has adjusted my perspective and reminded me to WORSHIP!

Of course, it’s okay to take part in some of the seasonal and cultural celebrations like decorating a tree, buying gifts for loved ones, hosting a festive party, or going driving at night to see the beautifully decorated homes. But let’s not allow it to drown out the celebrating of all that we have been given because Jesus came. Let’s ask God to remind us today and every day, that even though we deserve death, we can have peace with God because Jesus came. That is the definition of grace! Amazing grace!

The song “Silent Night” stirs up pictures in our minds of a calm night, stars brightly twinkling in the sky, and a newborn baby sleeping. It talks of a mother who lovingly sits at the bedside of her newborn son and of shepherds that are watching nearby, having been led there by a star.

I love what is pictured in this line: “Radiant beams from Thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace.”

Radiant beams from His holy face – redeeming grace has been given! It’s the reason Jesus came. It is freely offered to us. It is our hope for the future and what will sustain us in the present. It is what reconciles us to God. Don’t you want to sing this hymn and every hymn we have talked about this week and be moved to worship? Don’t you want to allow the Holy Spirit to whisper the truth found in them in your ears?

You CAN be moved to worship and hear the truths ring in your ears:

• When you sit in church and sing Christmas hymns…
• When you watch the children’s ministry Christmas play and see the nativity scene reenacted…
• When the story of the birth of Christ is read from the pulpit…
• When you are Christmas shopping and hear music playing in the background…

You can be moved to worship and JOY in all of these familiar traditions when you picture the “Radiant beams from His holy face” and thank Him for “the dawn of redeeming grace.”

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Christmas hymns can be used to remind you of truths in God’s Word and can be turned into moments of worship. Christmas hymns can be used as a springboard for sharing the gospel. Let’s pray that we will be alert to His truths and to gospel opportunities this Christmas!

Let’s pray:
Father, thank you for the amazing, redeeming grace that came to earth in the form of a baby and died for the sin of the world so that I can have peace with You. This season and every day, I worship and praise all that You have provided for those who believe in you. Help me to hear the truths in each act of celebration this Christmas and to truly worship You from my heart. Amen.

Silent Night, Holy Night

Silent night, holy night!
 All is calm, all is bright
 Round yon virgin mother and Child.
 Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
 Sleep in heavenly peace,
 Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night!
 Shepherds quake at the sight;
 Glories stream from heaven afar,
 Heav’nly hosts sing Alleluia!
 Christ the Savior is born,
 Christ the Savior is born!

Silent night, holy night!
 Son of God, love’s pure light
 Radiant beams from Thy holy face
 With the dawn of redeeming grace,
 Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
 Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Silent night, holy night!
 Wondrous star, lend thy light;
 With the angels let us sing,
 Alleluia to our King;
 Christ the Savior is born,
 Christ the Savior is born!

Do You Believe in Christmas Miracles?..Lynette Kittle

 Do You Believe in Christmas Miracles?

By Lynette Kittle

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). — Matthew 1:23

Have you noticed how many Christmas movies focus on receiving a Christmas miracle?

Although many center on Santa Claus making things happen, still Christmas is portrayed as a time for long-awaited hopes and dreams to be fulfilled.

Rightly so, too, because Christmas is all about miracles!

It’s a celebration of the miraculous virgin birth of Jesus, God comes to earth in human form, to live among mankind and save people from their sins. What could be more miraculous than that?

So how do you approach Christmas? Are you hoping for God to do the impossible in your life? Do you believe what Jesus said, that all things are possible with God? (Mark 10:27)

If you aren’t expecting God to do the impossible at Christmas or any other time of the year, perhaps it’s because of past disappointments, of times where you had great hope and anticipation but didn’t see your prayers answered?

If so, ask God to renew your expectancy in Him, to revive your faith despite your disappointments. Choose to base what you believe about God on what Scripture says about Him, rather on past discouraging experiences.

If former letdowns are holding you back from having faith in God, James 1:6 encourages you to believe with all your heart and not doubt God because doubt inhibits the impossible.

Scripture explains what happened when Jesus visited His hometown and the residents doubted Him. Their disbelief affected what they were able to receive from Jesus. As Matthew 13:58 explains, “And He did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.”

If you’re lacking faith in believing God is able to do the impossible, ask Him to increase your faith. Hebrews 11:1 explains, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Consider how everything you see created was once impossible without God. As John 1:3 explains, “Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.”

As Jeremiah 32:17 describes, “Ah, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You.”

Colossians 1:16 further describes, “For in Him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.”

At Christmas and all year long, choose to believe that nothing is too difficult for God to bring about in your life by stepping out in faith and asking Him to transform your impossibilities into possibilities.

A Prayer for Christmas.. Emma Danzey

 A Prayer for Christmas

By Emma Danzey

Isaiah 9:6 says, “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

It is already Christmastime again. The decor is displayed in the stores, the songs are playing, decorations are being put up, classic movies are starting to run on tv, and special events and shows are running. We can easily be so dazzled by the physical and worldly Christmas traditions that we miss the preparation of our hearts for the time of celebrating Jesus’ birth. 

Now, don’t get me wrong, I love a good Christmas tree and wrapping gifts like anyone; however, as believers, we know that there is a much deeper and more valuable meaning to this time of year. We know the true meaning of Christmas, and we are invited each year to take time and press into the joy and worship of our Savior. Today, let’s pray as we prepare our hearts for Christmas.

Let's Pray:

Dear Jesus,
You are the Child who was born in the manger for us in Bethlehem many years ago. Thank You for humbling Yourself and coming down in the form of man to be our eternal Savior. Thank You for being our Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. 

We declare today that You are wonderful in your perfection and in all that you say and do. You have been wonderful to undeserved sinners like us. We praise You. Thank You for being our Counselor and for sending the Holy Spirit to guide us each day. We praise You for being our Mighty God. You have parted seas, performed miracles, raised the dead to life, and conquered and defeated sin. We worship You for being our Everlasting Father. Even though we all, like sheep, have gone astray, you pursued us and welcomed us back into Your kingdom and adopted us, and called us co-heirs with Christ. We thank You for being our Prince of Peace. This is such a comfort as we suffer in this world of sin and walk through life knowing the difficulty that we face. We have forever peace and hope in You.

As we reflect that You could have left us to our sin, but You had a plan from the beginning to come for us, may we be glad-hearted. Fill us with the joy and excitement that You came to be our Savior and rescue us. Thank You for teaching us that Your ways are not our ways and that they are better than our own. 

Help us to have teachable hearts this Christmastime to not only hear Your word and think on the gospel but to allow You to reveal it to us in fresh ways. God, show us new perspectives and give us greater appreciation for what You did and sweeter insight into details in Your Word that we have never seen.

Enable us to excitedly teach the next generation about Your love and how You came to earth. Give us creativity in presenting the gospel message through the Christmas story. Help us to be in awe of You and excited to share You with those younger than us. Give us wisdom on how to teach them the real meaning of Christmas and celebrate together in worshipful ways. Provide new ideas for new traditions to take place that would enable us to fix our eyes on You.

Even in the secular celebrations of this holiday, help us to include You and seek You within those other joys, knowing that You are the Creator. You made all of the trees, gave us lights, and provided chocolate for hot chocolate to the world and gingerbread houses. May we be in amazement at Your beauty and splendor every season. 

We pray over those who have a difficult time during the holidays. Help them to rest in You and feel seen and cared for by their community. We pray that this Christmas will be an intimate time with You. We pray for those who are new to families or are part of new traditions to feel welcomed and enjoy this new sweet season. You are so good, and we praise you for being the Savior of the world. Amen.