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As I was reading the events of Jesus' birth in Luke, I believe that there must have been such excitement in the air as the Heavenly Angels sang Glory to God in the Highest! The hearts of the shepherds must have jumped for joy, for they were told by the angels that the long-promised Savior of the world was born! I can feel the excitement as I read the Holy Scriptures outlining the events of this Most Holy night!
Luke 2:7-14: tells us: “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them? and they were sore and afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tiding of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with angels a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men."
As I was pondering the events in Luke, I thought of the beautiful Christmas hymns that have been written throughout the years regarding the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The following are some of the hymns that came to my mind:
SILENT NIGHT:
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
HOLY SCRIPTURE: (Luke 2:7)
"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."
THE FIRST NOEL:
The first Noel, the angel, did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
HOLY SCRIPTURES: (Luke 2:8-9)
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field. Keeping watch over their flock by night And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid."
O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM:
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth. And praises sing to God the king, and peace to men on earth. Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
HOLY SCRIPTURE: (LUKE 2:15)
“And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made know unto us.”
AWAY IN A MANGER:
Away in a manger No crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus Laid down His sweet head
The stars in the bright sky Looked down where He lay The little Lord Jesus Asleep on the hay
The cattle are lowing The Baby awakes But little Lord Jesus No crying He makes
I love You, Lord Jesus Look down from the sky And stay by my side Until morning is nigh
Be near me, Lord Jesus I ask You to stay Close by me forever And love me I pray
Bless all the dear children In Your tender care And fit us for heaven To live with You there
HOLY SCRIPTURE: (LUKE 2:16)
“And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.”
O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL:
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem O 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
HOLY SCRIPTURES: (LUKE 2:17-18)
"And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds."
JOY TO THE WORLD:
Joy to the world, the Lord is come Let Earth receive her King Let every heart prepare Him room And Heaven and nature sing And Heaven and nature sing And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing
HOLY SCRIPTURE (LUKE 2:20)
“And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen as it was told unto them.”
This last hymn says it all O HOLY NIGHT—OH NIGHT DIVINE!
O HOLY NIGHT:
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 appeared 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
HOLY SCRIPTURES: (John 1:14, 16, 17)
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. And
of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
During this Christmas season as you listen to The First Noel, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Away in a Manger, O Come All Ye Faithful, Joy to the World, Silent Night, O Holy Night or any of the other beautiful Christmas hymns, may your hearts be filled with His love, His Joy and His
Peace.
Listening to Christmas hymns will help you to keep your focus on Jesus for He is the reason for the season!