Do you hear what I hear?
By my calculations you’ve been listening to Christmas music in the marketplace for about a month already. There are probably songs you’re SICK of (like the one about Grandma and the reindeer), and others that you enjoy. But do you have a favorite? I do.
Truthfully there are a number of songs that really get to me, but one of the deepest and richest of all is “O Holy Night.” I’ve copied the lyrics below because they’re worth reading. Slowly.
O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, oh night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand;
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend;
He knows our need,
To our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King, before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
Now take two minutes and read them again.
- The soul felt it’s worth…
- A thrill of hope…
- Born to be our Friend…
- He knows our need…
- His law is love…
- The slave is our brother…
- All oppression shall cease…
It doesn’t get any better than that. I hope you’ll join us in giving away the HOPE of Christ this Christmas.
While you’re at it, join in the conversation and share your favorite Christmas carol in the comment section below.
-Pastor Mark
P.S. Don’t forget to join us this Sunday for a special PowerHouse FX presentation: The Big Give – a Born Legacy. It’s a great time for all ages!
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Posted on December 13, 2012, in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. 4 Comments.
Living in faith, hope and Love 
My favorite Christmas song is “The Night That Love Was Born” by Mark Shultz. I heard it on the radio as I pulled into Walmart parking lot and was stopped dead in my tracks. It really touched me!
Amen Mark. “O Holy Night” is it for me. I never make it through the song without tearing up. Especially when sung by a choir.
I’m not sure it is an official “Christmas song”, but I really appreciate “Who is He in Yonder Stall?” for its sweeping summary of the God we serve: a baby who came to serve us; healing, and teaching, and weeping at Lazarus’ grave, dying for me, and living to give me access to God’s family and a future that includes our humbly falling at His feet!
Recently Rod and I went to hear Handle’s Messiah at the Navel Academy. That’s something I’ve tried to do every single year. Where do I begin except that for this season we love “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.”