The King Who Redeems ems 12/11/21
15th Day of Advent
Week 2: Preparation (or waiting or prophecy) ~ Light 2 purple candles
Advent Hymn 🎼 O Holy Night🎶
French poet Placide Cappeau wrote this Christmas poem in 1843 to celebrate the recent renovation of the church organ in his hometown. Also known as “Cantique de NoĂ«l,” it was set to music four years later by composer Adolphe Adam who created the wide vocal range of the melody. John Sullivan Dwight translated the English version in 1855.
Recorded by various artists over the years, the powerful words reflect the birth of Jesus as the redeemer of humanity.
Verse 1
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;
Chorus
Fall on your knees, oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born.
O night, O holy night, O night divine.
Verse 3
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!
Chorus
Christ is the Lord, then ever! Ever praise we!
His pow’r and glory, evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory, evermore proclaim!
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3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
~ Ephesians 1:3-10
Have you ever been in a tough situation and needed to be not just helped, but rescued?
Image a king who lays aside his royal robes to enter your pit of despair and entanglement. He goes beyond what’s expected or even hoped for to bring eternal deliverance. He dives into the darkness and muck to lift you out.
That’s exactly what Jesus did because he loves us so much.
The King Who Redeems by ems 12/11/21
Rescuer, deliverer, and liberator are synonyms for the word redeemer.
In desperate situations, we may need a rescuer.
When I hear sirens, I often pray for the first responders, the families of those public servants, and those in need of their care. Perhaps a family has become entrapped in something greater than themselves, so they cry out for help, and I pray.
Perhaps you have needed the sage advice of someone to deliver you from the consequences. Or maybe a trusted counselor had enabled you to find freedom when emotions imprisoned you with no hope of escape.
God knew we needed a liberator to redeem us once and for all, to buy us out of the entanglement that comes from our sin. Redemption is costly and requires a price to be paid, a value far greater than the one in trouble can even provide. Jesus is our Kingly redeemer. He had all the resources of heaven yet laid them all aside. In compassion, He offered Himself as a substitute for the judgment of the death we rightly deserve. Romans tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:10-18). Sin separates, and the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).
I have been freed from sin and given eternal life.
That gives me great pause as I consider that my freedom cost God the Father and His Son. And Jesus willingly gave His all for me.
I often travel this earth in my self-sufficiency, but I soon realize I need other people and desperately need God to change my darkened heart.
How excellent that God would not leave us to our own devices yet provide royal rescue when we needed it most!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, You are my all-in-all. Apart from You, my life has no meaning or purpose. Thank You for seeing my great need for salvation and for giving the gift of Your Son. The destination of heaven, my true home, is secure in Christ Jesus, my Kingly Redeemer!
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Learn more about Jesus here:
https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/
https://watch.thechosen.tv/
The Shepherd: A Story of the First Christmas
https://youtu.be/lVt14Ug-GOs?si=9eoBBSsVJHHwP3Gp
Christmas with The Chosen: Holy Night
https://watch.thechosen.tv/video/184683594479?language=en
A young mother labeled “impure.” A shepherd boy considered “unclean.” Experience Jesus’ birth through their eyes as Christmas with The Chosen: Holy Night blends The Messengers and The Shepherd into one special remastered and re-scored story. This special feature also includes an original performance from Andrea and Matteo Bocelli, six favorite songs from the past, and two beautiful new monologues.
Grow in your faith through these resources here:
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