Tag Archives: Christmas Carols

Advent at the WildBerry Patch – What does Christmas feel like?

Hello!

I grew up in Ohio, and I live in Austin Texas now.

Today does not feel like Christmas.  it’s 81 degrees outside!

I started thinking, what does Christmas feel like?
Does it feel like

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire?
Jack Frost nipping at your nose?
Folks singing yuletide carols,
and dressed up like Eskimos?

Is it a White Christmas
and hearing sleighbells in the snow?

Is it frightful weather so you stay inside
and say let it snow, let it snow, let it snow?

Or should it be thinking of a
Silent Night, a Holy Night

In the little town of Bethlehem?
Where on a Midnight Clear
Angels from the realms of Glory
Sang
The first Noel?

When Shepherds ran Away to a Manger,
and asked
What Child is this?

And with these thoughts,
and, Hark, the Angels are singing,
We sing
Joy to the World, the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King.

O Come all ye faithful,
All ye Merry Gentle men and women remember Christ was born on Chrismtas day!
All Good Christian men and women
Rejoice!
With Heart and soul and voice!

Christ the Lord is born!
Christ the Lord is born.

To kids from 1 to 92
Merry Christmas to You.

May your days be Merry and Bright,
and may you enjoy at least one Christmas that is white!

by M. Christine Wildman
copyright 2022

Christmas Carole booklet

Join me in ushering in the season with O Come O come Emmanuel, and sing it every day of the year! Come Lord Jesus Come!

And Join me in celebrating the Advent season.
I’ve created a season of Devotions for Advent.

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

M. Christine Wildman“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Advent – day 9 – Scepter

Advent day 9

light the 9th candle on the Advent Log.

Advent Candle 9

Advent Candle 9

The scepter.
Second only to the crown as a symbol of power.
Rulers hold the scepter.

I have read the story of Esther with a unique perspective. This feels a bit like sexual assault to me.
I am not sure that I would appreciate being kidnapped – so to speak – to become one of the King’s potential mates.
Probably to be used once, and then thrown aside, potentially never to be free again, and definitely not able to get married and have a family.

Anyway, in the story, in order for Esther to save her people, she must risk her life by boldly going into the throne room, and requesting an audience with the King. King Artexurxes(sp) was known for his having people killed on a whim. If he did not reach out his scepter to her, and welcome her into the throne room, she would die.

Putting her life on the line, to go into the throne room of a great and powerful King, in order to intercede for her people. Amazing. And this she did after three days of prayer and fasting.

Genesis 49:10 says that the scepter shall not depart from Judah:

The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,[a]
until he to whom it belongs[b] shall come
and the obedience of the nations shall be his.

Isaiah 9:6-7, the great Christmas passage, talks about Jesus ruling:

6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.

I get Jesus being King of Kings – which was why yesterday’s symbol was a crown.
But the scepter? How does that apply to me? I go back to Esther’s story.

Because I have sinned, and I am not holy, I cannot enter into the throne room of a Holy God. (Hab 1:13) God is too holy to look upon sin, which is why sin brought death and separation into the world.
Because Jesus died on my behalf, paid my death penalty, In Christ, I can enter into the throne room with no concern of a Holy God destroying me for my unholiness.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 4:14 & 16

Because of Jesus, God the Father, on the great white throne of Judgement(actually, that will be Jesus), extends His scepter and welcomes me into His presence for fellowship.

We just bought a new house.
Because I am not able to see all the doors from everywhere, very unlike the RV, we put in a security system.
This security system has a code to enter, and only those with the code may do so, without sounding the alarm, and having the police called.
During our Thanksgiving trip to Ohio, we needed someone to look after our cat, Purrl. Because we trusted her, she had her own code to enter into the house. She also had a key, but that is a different symbol.
The security system let us know every time she entered and exited. Her freedom to enter in was given to her by US, because of her commitment, and the freedom was based in that code.

Another Bible story is about the High Priest serving in the Holy of Holies. He had to go through much purification prior to, be committed to His service, and bring the blood of the sacrifice to the altar. Because it was so dangerous, that God might strike the person dead for entering in without purification first, they had ropes tied around their waists so that their bodies could be pulled out. They knew about those that died that touched the altar, even by mistake. The purity and holiness of God was a serious issue, and going before him with sin in your heart was a deadly issue.

In order for me to enter into the Holy of Holies, where God presides, I must commit my life to being Christ’s servant, and embrace His blood sacrifice on my behalf.
The blood of Jesus is the code to unlock the door to the Holy of Holies!

Gal 2:20 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1John 1:7

12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Eph 3:12

11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Pet 1:11

Jesus is the rod of Jesse, the scepter holder, and He extends the scepter to, well, whosoever will!

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16

And I say – “I WILL!”

Sadly, sometime prior to 2007, I lost my scepter ornament. We had made several, one with a dowel rod and a styrofoam ball. It was spray painted gold(not good for styrofoam) and sequins and such. Those fell apart. The other was made with shrinky dink – paint plastic and then put it into the oven and it shrank, and became intricate. Such is the crown from yesterday, and the following ornaments.

The thing is, the scepter of God has been extended to me, and you, and we have been given full access into the throne room, and one of those reasons is to obtain GRACE. Through Christ, we already have favor.
Another is to obtain Joy – because in His presence(when you are a welcome guest) there is fullness of Joy! I confess that I need Grace to deal with the daily struggles, and Joy to defeat depression. Who doesn’t?

Lord Jesus, thank you for paying the price, and giving me the code to enter into Your Kingdom. Give me grace to remember your gifts daily, and mercy for my faults. I confess that I yield to the depression, and forget to enter in to be filled with Joy. Thank you for all the reminders in this season for JOY! Joy to the World, the Lord has come. Amen.

Advent Day 9

More Advent Devotions

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

M. Christine Wildman“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Christmas Carol Considerations – O Come all Ye Faithful

O Come all Ye FaithfulWikipedea has history about the writing and composing of this carol.

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.

Faithful – Luke 18:8

I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Additional verse from Wikipedea:
God of God, light of light,
Lo, he abhors not the Virgin’s womb;
Very God, begotten, not created:
O come, let us adore Him, (3×)
Christ the Lord.

From the Nicene Creed:

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten of the Father [the only-begotten; that is, of the essence of the Father, God of God,] Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father;

Sing, alleluia,
All ye choirs of angels;
O sing, all ye blissful ones of heav’n above.
Glory to God
In the highest glory!

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Deuteronomy 138:1

I will praise thee, O lord, with my whole heart: for thou hast heard the words of my mouth. I will sing praise to thee in the sight of his angels:

https://youtu.be/n0tryKdpl0s

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be the 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.

This verse reminds me of Mary Magdelene greeting the Lord that Easter morning – Mark 16:9; and John 20:14

It makes me want to sing “Was it a morning like this” by Sandi Patti!
That always leads me to the Easter Song by Keith Green!

So, here is another O Come all Ye Faithful!

I hope that everyone that reads this answers this call!
Matthew 11:28

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media!
I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Christmas Carol Considerations – Away in the Manger

Christmas Season lasts until January 6 for the liturgical church.

This song is one that I love – and I would sing as a lullaby to my children.
Again, thanks to the website Christmas Carol Lyrics, I can provide a little bit of history, as well as the lyrics!

The manger is a crucial part of the Christmas Story!

https://youtu.be/qJdziJ_imjw

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.

The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay.

This really points out the beauty of the humility of God coming down to earth in the form of a baby. He left his throne to rest in a manger.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.

I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle til morning is nigh.

This speaks that Jesus was different…fully man, and fully God.
He deserves us to declare that HE IS LORD!

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And take us to heaven, to live with Thee there.

Forever…forever. The simplicity of this carol ranks up with Jesus Loves Me, in my mind!


Here is one of my favorite versions!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media!
I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Christmas Carol Considerations – For Unto Us a Child Is Born – Messiah

For unto Us a Child is Born from Handel’s Messiah

For unto us a Child is born (Handel's Messiah) from Jeffrey Stivers on Vimeo.

Isaiah 9:6-7

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.

Jesus IS our Christmas GIFT!
For me – that is all that needs to be said! I love this song, I loved singing it in choir, and I love listening to it!

~~~~~

Advent Devotions
Thank you to Christmas Carol Lyrics for providing the lyrics for these Christmas Carols!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media!
I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Christmas Carol Considerations – What Child is This? Mary did you Know?

I have chosen TWO carols for this devotion – because I believe they go hand in hand!
There is a lot of music on this blog!

What Child is This?

https://youtu.be/u0tn-VdgU_k

1 What Child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
Chorus:
This, this is Christ, the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

2 Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.[Chorus]

3 So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king to own Him.
The King of kings salvation brings;
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.[Chorus]
Baptist Hymnal, (2008)

https://youtu.be/u0tn-VdgU_k

And, here is the answer – in Mary Did you know?
Did Mary know what was going to happen to her baby boy?

Mark Lowry wrote this song. I’ve included a recent version at the end.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water? ( Matthew 14:22-23)

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?(Acts 4:12)

Did you know
that your Baby Boy has come to make you new? (Rev 21:5; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man? (John 9)

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will calm the storm with His hand?(Mark 4:39)

Did you know
that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little Baby you kiss the face of God? (John 10)

Mary did you know.. Mary did you know

The blind will see.
The deaf will hear.
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap.
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb. (Matthew 11:5)

Mary did you know

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations?

Did you know
that your Baby Boy is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
The sleeping Child you’re holding is the Great, I Am.

Mary did you know

These are two of my favorite Christmas Carols.
Why? well, one is that my first name is Mary…and, two, I have always wondered what Mary thought about from the day she was met by the angel, to the day she watched her son give his life for the world.

Mary – the first person to know that Jesus was coming! What a relationship she must have had with her heavenly Father. I want to be like Mary. And I want to be like Jesus.
These songs just evoke the majesty of this whole event. I hope you are blessed by this as well!

~~~~~

Advent Devotions
Thank you to Christmas Carol Lyrics and Hymnary for providing the lyrics and research for these Christmas Carols!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media!
I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Christmas Carol Considerations – Angels we have heard on High

Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing ore the fields

“Angels We Have Heard on High” is a Christmas carol of French origin. The song commemorates the story of the birth of Jesus Christ found in the Gospel of Luke, in which shepherds outside Bethlehem encounter a multitude of angels singing and praising the newborn child.

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plain
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

The Angels came – to declare the birth of the Son of God.
This verse also refers to the mountains in reply…Jesus said that if he silenced his followers, that even the rocks would cry out! Luke 19:40

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be?
Which inspire your heavenly songs?
Gloria

There is new information of which I was made aware this year – the shepherds around Bethlehem were of the house of Levi. They were of the priestly lineage. No matter what, they understood that there was a coming KING from God, and that this angelic message was telling them that today was the day!

Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria

Bethlehem – the city of David.
Knees bowing…Phillipians 2:10; Romans 14:11; Psalm 95:6

See Him in a manger laid,
Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
With us sing our Savior’s birth.
Gloria

The King of Creation – lying in a manger
The Omnipotent God – dependent upon a mother and father
The Omniscient God – encased in frail humanity
The Eternal God – wrapped in finite human flesh
The Owner of all – being birthed in the humblest of places that his parents didn’t own.



Do we hear the angels today?
Do we rejoice that the King has come?
Do we bend our Knee to the King of Kings, no matter how He presents himself to us?
Let us sing the Praises of Our King!

~~~~

Advent Devotions
Thank you to Christmas Carol Lyrics for providing the lyrics for these Christmas Carols!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media!
I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Christmas Carol Considerations – the First Noel

The First Noel

The First Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds
in fields as they lay;
In fields as they lay, keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

First, the Son of God came to the Jews – then to the gentiles.
In Matthew 15, Jesus answers a Cannanite woman that He was sent to the House of Israel.
Got Questions discusses whether Jesus came ONLY to the Jews.
The quick answer is NO. He came to the Jews FIRST.

They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.

This is not a Biblical statement, but apparently the star shown bright enough for the magi to follow.

Carrie Underwood singing the first noel

And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far;
To seek for a king was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.

“to seek for a king…and to follow the star wherever it went.”
What a statement of how a Christian is to live their lives!
Matthew 4:19
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

This star drew nigh to the northwest,
O’er Bethlehem it took it rest,
And there it did both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay.

Bethlehem was key – the city of David. This is where the Israelites were promised to see their deliverer arise.

Then entered in those wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
Their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.

There is no biblical text that says THREE wise men – just three gifts.
And yet, this is a beautiful example of all men humbling themselves before Jesus.

1 peter 5:6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

These wise men have been an example of seeking God with all their heart – raised up by becoming part of the Christmas story because of their dedication and humility.

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord;
That hath made heaven and earth of naught,
And with his blood mankind hath bought

This verse is the gospel in a nutshell.
Beginning with Creation in Genesis 1!

Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

Because of this beautiful gift – we should sing praises to our Heavenly Lord!

Knowing Jesus has a list of verses about singing praises to God! Reading through these, there are so many reasons for one to Sing Praises!

Here’s my favorites:

This one has a very personal meaning:

Psalm 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings

This passage reminds me WHY to praise!

Psalm 103:1-5
Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

May your New year be filled with the knowledge of the gifts God has given you!

~~~~

Advent Devotions
Thank you to Christmas Carol Lyrics for providing the lyrics for these Christmas Carols!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media!
I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Christmas Carols Considerations – O Holy Night

Oh Holy Night
The history of Oh Holy Night

The night of our dear saviours birth!

O holy night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear’d and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine

The chorus is amazing…FALL ON YOUR KNEES! Why? Because CHRIST has been born!

Romans 14:11
It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.'”

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 come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend

The dichotomy of the King of Kings lying in a manger.
The creator of the World and all that is in it, growing in the womb of Mary.

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

This is so true –

  • taught us to love one another! John 13:34

    1 John 4:7-12

    7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
    8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
    9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
    10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
    11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
    12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

  • Broke our chains – and set us free from whatever enslaved us! Psalm 107
  • He is the Prince of Peace – not of oppression. Isaiah 9:6

this has a few extra verses:

https://y
outu.be/AICTG4b_teY

Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine

Merry Christmas!

~~~~~

Advent Devotions
Thank you to Christmas Carol Lyrics for providing the lyrics for these Christmas Carols!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media!
I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Christmas Carol Considerations – Silent Night

Silent Night

The history is simple – the beauty is timeless.

https://youtu.be/9T4WB2zfmps?list=PLMQpRrc0BZkHcs83AzEvm6J_stToxlU5x

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

Verse one speaks of the virgin birthIsaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born

Verse Two speaks about the shepherds – watching their flocks. Luke 2:8-20
Angels came to them, sang to them, and they, the shepherds, were the first to go to greet the baby Jesus.

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

Verse Three speaks about Jesus coming as the Light of the World

.John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 1:4
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

John 12:35-36
35 So Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.
36 While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of light.”

1 John 1:5-7
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

This is the reason Jesus came to earth…to save us from our sin, and to reconcile us to God!
Merry Christmas!

~~~~~~~
Advent Devotions
Thank you to Christmas Carol Lyrics for providing the lyrics for these Christmas Carols!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media!
I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.