Monday, December 20, 2010

O Holy Night

I don't know what's going on this Christmas season but I am so blessed to constantly be reminded of truth and the "reason for the season." I wish I could describe every moment that has been so sweet as Jesus has revealed something to me, but I pray that He will work on you as He is me. This weekend I've been sick and stuck in bed, or on the couch, because I haven't felt like moving. Well I got up for church yesterday and was extremely blessed by the full version of "O Holy Night," which I'm pretty sure I have never heard before this Christmas. Why are we not singing the second and third verses??? With all our hearts we 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!


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 Spirit 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, the 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.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, 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 he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we 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! 


Merry Christmas,
db

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Christmas time is here, and while I can write a lot of words on the "meaning of Christmas", what I think about how we've commercialized it, etc. - none that I can give can speak more truth or life than the song that resonates in my heart at the moment.  And it's not a Christmas song that I'm usually singing that I can't wait to listen to in December.  It's a song that I've heard and often skipped over, but as I listened to it carefully the other day (on accident) I heard such great and encouraging truth.  And I want to shout it out each day, so I thought I'd encourage you with it this season....

Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn king
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled.

Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Christ is born in Bethlehem.

Mild he lays his glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth.

Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Diety
Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Immanuel
Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Immanuel!

Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and Life to all he brings
Risen with healing in his wings.

Christ the highest heaven adored
Christ the everlasting Lord
Come desire of nations come, fix in us thy humble home
Come desire of nations come, fix in us thy humble home.