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Christmas: O Come Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord

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 Christmas is Here! Christ the Lord is Born Today

“And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12)

Rejoice and be glad! Sing, choirs of Angels, sing in exultation! It’s Christmas and Christ the Lord, born as baby Jesus has been born today. God’s own Son in the flesh to come live among us. Heaven and earth have touched. God and man are united together in the person of Jesus, born of Mary on Christmas day

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcJYW1oN6fw[/embedyt]

Christ the Savior is born. Not Christ the judge or enforcer. Christmas is the day that exclaims that God is not just “out there”, but He is here with us, amongst us. Immanuel, meaning God with us. God in the flesh.

That is still true today. You will find Him at the baptismal font, in the Last Supper during communion, in the Word spoken by the pastor during the Gospel and throughout the Divine Service. He is found here on earth on those who hold Jesus in their heart.

He demonstrates His love through his people who give their gifts to those around them. Christ the Lord is inside the hearts of caregivers, Mothers, Fathers, teachers, doctors, police officers and all those who remember the love and forgiveness given through grace.

Merry Christmas!

O Come All Ye Faithful Sheet Music


O Come Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord is Born today!! Celebrate Christmas with this popular Christmas hymn O Come All Ye Faithful. Find lyrics, sheet music and more.O Come All Ye Faithful Lyrics

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
Sing, choirs of angels
Sing in exultation
Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above
Glory to God
In the highest!
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
Jesus, to Thee be glory giv’n
Word of the Father,
Now in the flesh appearing
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

List of Christmas Carols and Hymns

I hope you have enjoyed Advent Season and my daily reflections. I didn’t know if I would be able to complete the series and I’m glad I did.

Below is a list of Christmas carols and hymns which I specifically wrote about and provided lyrics and sheet music.

Prepare the Royal Highway

Playlist: Hymns for Advent Season

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus Hymn

God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman

Angels We Have Heard on High

Joy To The World

Once in Royal Davids City

Away in a Manager

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Silent Night

O Come All Ye Faithful

While I wrote each Advent devotion I listened to hymns and Christmas carols in the background. Many times looping my playlist for inspiration. Here is my YouTube Christmas Carol playlist with some of my favorite renditions. Many of them didn’t make it on the list above. It was difficult to decide which one to pick for each day. You can listen to my entire set here on YouTube

Enjoy and have a VERY Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Readings

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 43: 1-24:  Revelation 9: 13- 10: 11

Saturday, Third Week Advent: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

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Christmas Eve is tomorrow!

It came upon a midnight clear. One day, over two thousand years ago for a split second a star shone over Bethlehem and there was Peace on Earth. The news of his birth had been predicted. It was feared by rulers so much they sent wise men to “spy” and report back. Shepards were visited by angels and the whole earth sang of the news.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYDa4Kht6Eo[/embedyt]

Did Advent season do what it was supposed to do?

Did it prepare you for the coming of the Lord? Did it help you change, maybe if it was for a day? If you haven’t thought about it think about it now.

Not only is tomorrow Christmas Eve but it’s Sunday and the last Sunday in Advent. You will receive a double dose of Blessings and Joy!  Some of you not only have Christmas Eve service but morning service. Don’t skip your morning service.

It seems when the last Sunday of Advent is also Christmas Eve the anticipation is even higher for Christmas. We tell our children to be good for goodness sake, but we can use this same advice. Use this extra opportunity to change, really change and not just because it’s Christmas.

Don’t stop doing the things you shouldn’t do, but do the things you should be doing and add love to your actions. Love those who don’t love you back. Forgive those who sin against you before they are sorry. End grudges and let go of the hurt you’re carrying.

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear Sheet Music


It came upon the Midnight Clear that glourious sound of old. With Angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold. Rejoice in the music of Christmas as the Lutheran Advent season comes to a close with music and lyrics of It Came Upon a Midnight ClearIt Came Upon a Midnight Clear Lyrics

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold!
Peace on the earth, goodwill to men,
From heaven’s all gracious King!
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies, they come
With peaceful wings unfurled
And still their heavenly music floats
O’er all the weary world;
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hovering wing.
And ever o’er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.

Yet with the woes of sin and strife
The world hath suffered long;
Beneath the angel-strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong;
And man, at war with man, hears not
The love song which they bring:
O hush the noise, ye men of strife,
And hear the angels sing.

For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophet bards foretold,
When with the ever-circling years,
Shall come the Age of Gold;
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendors fling,
And all the world give back the song
Which now the angels sing.

 

Weekly Advent Readings: Saturday, 3rd Week Advent

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 43: 1-24:  Revelation 9: 13- 10: 11


Monday, Third Week Advent: Words to God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman Give Comfort

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Comfort and Joy

Tidings of Comfort and joy! It’s a Christmas carol, but the word to God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman is also a theme for Advent. Listen to the word of God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman by Pentatonix and really listen.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku7ohU1IGls[/embedyt]

“Comfort, comfort, my people” (Isaiah 40:1)

I’ve talked about how going to church gives me comfort, how Jesus is a great Almighty counselor and today is all about comfort.

I teach Sunday school, right now it’s 4th-6th grade and it’s a wonderful age to teach. They are beyond coloring (sometimes) and starting to get into some deep questions. During my 25 years of teaching Sunday School, there have been few things more satisfying than seeing that look on a child’s face when they truly understand your lesson.

When you let go of your sins, give them to Jesus, ask for forgiveness it gives you COMFORT. Really, it does.

To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray…

Satan would like you to hang on to your sin, make it a burden, weigh on your heart every day. I know, it’s hard to grasp. So I’ll do what I do to my Sunday School kids. Apply a “real life example”.

Thou Shall Not Covet: You want more money, you chase money, you “need” more money, you worry about it, stress about it, and it can physically cause you harm in high blood pressure and a heart attack. This is personal for me. I recently started working from home, we have had financial challenges. Instead of stressing about what I don’t have, I concentrate on what I have. It does no good to want a vacation, lust for that new car, new furniture, or desire a big screen TV.

It’s easy to go “astray” from what we “NEED”.

Lutheranism is all about the comforting of troubled consciences! In Christ, God wants to forgive everyone. He wants to give you comfort.

Lutheran Advent Season, What is is All About? How do the words "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman" give comfort this Advent and Christmas seasonComforting Words: “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman”

Read the words “God rest ye merry gentleman” and listen to the Christmas hymn, take in their meaning and how it fits into your life this Christmas.

God rest ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan’s power
When we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy

God rest ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan’s pow’r
When we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh 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
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy

Fear not then, said the Angel
Let nothing you affright
This day is born a Savior
Of a pure Virgin bright
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan’s pow’r and might
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy

God rest ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan’s power
When we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy

Songwriters: Grace Price / Robert Lee Black
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Weekly Advent Readings: Monday, 3rd Week Advent

Today’s Reading Isaiah 40: 1-11

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 34: 1-2, 8-35: 10 Revelation 6: 1-17 


Saturday, Second Week Advent: Pink Candle of Advent

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Lutheran Advent Season, What is is All About? Hopefully, this series will inspire, teach and prepare you for Christmas in a way you never considered. Find the meaning of the pink candle of Advent? Rejoice!Time to Light the Pink Candle of Advent!!

What does that mean?!! 

It means Christmas is getting closer!! Tomorrow is the 3rd week of Advent.

Hurry, get ready. Is your tree decorated, are the cookies baked? Are the presents wrapped?

The pink candle of Advent is about to be lite? Are you ready!!!??? Can you ever be ready for Christmas?

I know there is always ONE more present to buy, gifts to wrap and one more recipe to add to Christmas dinner. Did someone say stuffed mushrooms?

Oh yes, I digress. It’s a tangent habit of mine.

The Lord is not trying to add one more burden to your Christmas.

Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. (Philippians 4:45)

Tomorrow is Gaudete Sunday when the “rose” or pink candle on the Advent wreath is lite. During my Advent daily readings, I explain the meaning of the candles on the advent and what the colors represent.

Gaudete is the Latin imperative, “Rejoice!” Rejoice because the Lord is coming. Rejoice because the birth of the baby Jesus is near.

The light on the Advent candles lights the way to Christ. They glow brightly at the front of the church to remind us Jesus, the light of the world is coming who will bring light into the darkness.

Relax, Jesus the Light of the World is Coming

If we want to take time to do anything else this season REJOICING should be at the top of the list!

When we take time out to rejoice and praise the Lord it soothes the soul. It causes us to pause and contemplate what the Advent season is all about. You can almost feel the stress starting to fall away, you can feel the pain fall away when you put your trust in this newborn baby Jesus.

Don’t believe me? Try it. 

Eternal God, Your Word has been sent forth into the world to the joy and edification of Your holy people. Grant that Your Word may encourage, comfort and strengthen all who hear it. Grant faith to those who do not know You, both here and abroad, that all peoples may sing to Your name and extol Your goodness. By the power of the Holy Spirit, fill all who hear Your Word with all joy and peace in believing. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.”

Weekly Advent Readings: Saturday, 2nd Week Advent

Today’s Reading Introit for Advent 3

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 32: 1-20;  Revelation 4: 1-11 


Friday, Second Week Advent: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus Hymn

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Come Thou Expected Jesus to the Earth

The Advent hymn, “Oh Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” pleads for the baby Jesus to set thy people free. Free us from our fears and sin. During this Christmas season, we don’t want to hear that we are imprisoned and need setting free.

But we are captive. Captive to sin. Temptation surrounds us every day. We daily struggle in our minds with fear. Fear of not having enough money, fear of gossip that surrounds us. Fear of not being accepted. Listen to the words to Come Thou Long Expected Jesus. Really listen.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dmO8UPlWoo[/embedyt]Come, Thou long expected Jesus, 

Once we are free of our sins they cannot hurt us any longer. Like the title Everlasting Father, God rebukes us. We don’t like discipline. But we need it. What happens when parents don’t discipline their children? They don’t learn right from wrong. It’s not because parents like punishing their children. Trust me, we don’t, it often hurts us more. God corrects us out of love. Christ Jesus the Everlasting Father serves as an example of a kind, loving Father.

Lutheran Advent Season, What is is All About? Hopefully, this series will inspire, teach and prepare you for Christmas in a way you never considered. Learn the symbolism and meaning of advent candles . Listen to Come Thou Long Expected Jesus and sing along with the lyrics.Words to Come Though Long Expected Jesus

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, 
Hope of all the earth Thou art,
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver;
Born a child and yet a  king!
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit 
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.


Weekly Advent Readings: Friday, 2nd Week Advent

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 30: 15-26;  Revelation 1: 1-29