So dark out there, if a feller lit a match, he’d probably have to light a second one to see if the first one was actually burning.”
–J. Lee Butts (Written in Blood)
“And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
–John 1:4 (NKJV)
—————————————-
December! What a wonderful month of celebration. It is a month of birthdays: my Mom’s (who dearly loved Christmastime) and my Aunt’s who were both born on this date. And of course the main one that we celebrate is the birth of our Lord. It is a month of singing: carols and songs about the Christmas season. Let me remind you that there is a difference between a Christmas song and a Christmas carol. “White Christmas” and “Silver Bells” are examples of songs; “Silent Night” and “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” are examples of carols. The carol is a hymn, and these bring reference to the Son of God–Jesus Christ.
From time to time during the month I will refer to a hymn, and the first one was written in 1872 by Josiah G. Holland. It is one that is rarely heard much less sung that tells of the birth of our Lord. The Incarnation–what a mystery! I doubt that the angels can even fathom what was taking place on the day in Bethlehem so many years ago. Oh, there were on the scene, and they were praising and rejoicing, but I wonder, I just wonder if even they with their heavenly knowledge understood.
There’s a song in the air! There’s a star in the sky!
There’s a mother’s deep prayer and a baby’s low cry!
And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!
There was commotion taking place. The heavens were alive and the spirit realm must have been fluttering with excitement. Imagine, the One who sits upon the throne has chosen to become a man. The evil one must have grinned in delight for he now has a chance to defeat his foe, just as he did Adam in the Garden so long ago.
There’s a tumult of joy o’er the wonderful birth,
For the virgin’s sweet Boy is the Lord of the earth,
Ay! the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!
The star, that wondrous light that guided the magi to Bethlehem was more than a bright light in the sky. I believe it represented the glory of God. The glory that the Child willingly placed aside to come to earth to face the perils that each man faces, and more. He would be attacked like no other ever had been or ever will be. Yes, there was the physical abuse, but I can only imagine the emotional, and the spiritual war that took place within Jesus. I like to think that when Jesus looked up into the heavens He remembered that star.
In the light of that star lie the ages impearled;
And that song from afar has swept over the world.
Every hearth is aflame, and the beautiful sing
In the homes of the nations that Jesus is King!
Because of the birth of the Son, we have the hope of salvation. Salvation that He provided on the cross, but started before at the birth. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior understand the warmth that is in their heart; one that is aflame during the Christmas season. Look down upon the baby lying there so serene, so innocent, and remember that He is more than just another child; He is the Savior of mankind.
We rejoice in the light, and we echo the song
That comes down through the night from the heavenly throng.
Ay! we shout to the lovely evangel they bring,
And we greet in His cradle our Savior and King!
The star gave light to the magi to find the Child, just as He is the light for us to follow. Rejoice, for we have seen a great light, the light of the world lying in a manger.
“And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
–John 1:4 (NKJV)
—————————————-
December! What a wonderful month of celebration. It is a month of birthdays: my Mom’s (who dearly loved Christmastime) and my Aunt’s who were both born on this date. And of course the main one that we celebrate is the birth of our Lord. It is a month of singing: carols and songs about the Christmas season. Let me remind you that there is a difference between a Christmas song and a Christmas carol. “White Christmas” and “Silver Bells” are examples of songs; “Silent Night” and “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” are examples of carols. The carol is a hymn, and these bring reference to the Son of God–Jesus Christ.
From time to time during the month I will refer to a hymn, and the first one was written in 1872 by Josiah G. Holland. It is one that is rarely heard much less sung that tells of the birth of our Lord. The Incarnation–what a mystery! I doubt that the angels can even fathom what was taking place on the day in Bethlehem so many years ago. Oh, there were on the scene, and they were praising and rejoicing, but I wonder, I just wonder if even they with their heavenly knowledge understood.
There’s a song in the air! There’s a star in the sky!
There’s a mother’s deep prayer and a baby’s low cry!
And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!
There was commotion taking place. The heavens were alive and the spirit realm must have been fluttering with excitement. Imagine, the One who sits upon the throne has chosen to become a man. The evil one must have grinned in delight for he now has a chance to defeat his foe, just as he did Adam in the Garden so long ago.
There’s a tumult of joy o’er the wonderful birth,
For the virgin’s sweet Boy is the Lord of the earth,
Ay! the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!
The star, that wondrous light that guided the magi to Bethlehem was more than a bright light in the sky. I believe it represented the glory of God. The glory that the Child willingly placed aside to come to earth to face the perils that each man faces, and more. He would be attacked like no other ever had been or ever will be. Yes, there was the physical abuse, but I can only imagine the emotional, and the spiritual war that took place within Jesus. I like to think that when Jesus looked up into the heavens He remembered that star.
In the light of that star lie the ages impearled;
And that song from afar has swept over the world.
Every hearth is aflame, and the beautiful sing
In the homes of the nations that Jesus is King!
Because of the birth of the Son, we have the hope of salvation. Salvation that He provided on the cross, but started before at the birth. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior understand the warmth that is in their heart; one that is aflame during the Christmas season. Look down upon the baby lying there so serene, so innocent, and remember that He is more than just another child; He is the Savior of mankind.
We rejoice in the light, and we echo the song
That comes down through the night from the heavenly throng.
Ay! we shout to the lovely evangel they bring,
And we greet in His cradle our Savior and King!
The star gave light to the magi to find the Child, just as He is the light for us to follow. Rejoice, for we have seen a great light, the light of the world lying in a manger.