Worth Singing About by ems
12/18/21
22nd Day of Advent
Week 3: Joy (or peace) ~ Light 2 purple candles and 1 pink candle
Advent Hymn 🎼 Sing We Now Of Christmas 🎶
A traditional French carol from the late 15th century or early 16th century is often sung around homemade creches (nativity scenes) or in the town square, the central place in French homes and villages. While it may have originated as a New Year’s song, it emphasizes the Christmas story (think the Wisemen’s visit, the epiphany, 12 days after). More often sung at Christmas, it was translated from French into English when a French music book included it in 1721. The verses contain the story’s details found in the gospels of Luke and Matthew and express the meaningful connection between God’s heart and ours.
1 Sing we now of Christmas,
Noel, sing we here!
Hear our grateful praises
to the babe so dear.
Refrain:
Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel!
Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now Noel!
Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now Noel!
2 Angels called to shepherds,
“Leave your flocks at rest,
journey forth to Bethlehem,
find the lambkin blest.” [Refrain]
3 In Bethlehem they found him;
Joseph and Mary mild,
seated by the manger,
watching the holy child. [Refrain]
4 From the eastern country
came the kings afar,
bearing gifts to Bethlehem
guided by a star. [Refrain]
5 Gold and myrrh they took there,
gifts of greatest price;
there was ne’er a place on earth
so like paradise. [Refrain]
1Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures ~ I Corinthians 15:1-3
14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. ~ Matthew 24:14
Worth Singing About by ems 12/18/21
As we near Christmas day, anticipation increases. A particular highlight for our family is singing Christmas carols that tell the story of the birth of Christ. When the message of God’s love spread in the first century, inserting Christian words in popular favorite songs helped teach people the Bible story. These songs were especially effective for those who couldn’t read or write. Borrowing the French word “carole” which meant a circle dance accompanied by singing, carols were widely associated with the nativity by the Middle Ages. Many of the carols we sing currently date back to the 19th century when faithful followers wrote many.
Years ago, I had some guests at our home who were unfamiliar with the Christmas story. They listened intently as I explained the story using ornaments on our tree and figures in our manger scene. They even desired to light the candles in our Advent wreath. But one striking thing for them was my Christmas clock, which plays 12 different melodies, one for each hour. They were utterly amazed that I could sing each one from memory. “How do you know each one?” they asked.
I expressed, “I can because we sing them every year and because the words are true!”
I was delighted to share the gospel’s good news with those precious friends, yet I was greatly saddened that no one had told them before that fateful day. I cannot imagine living my whole life without ever hearing about Jesus’ love and sacrifice for our sins.
Just like unharvested vegetables rot in the field, the gospel is only good news if it reaches us in time! How empty is the life that does not know God.
Do you have any favorite Christmas carols? Do you sing and share them with others? Did you know there are still more than 3 billion people who have NEVER heard the good news about Jesus the Saviour.
How are you praying, sharing, giving, and going today to share the hope of salvation with someone else?
The love God lavished upon us through Jesus is worth singing about and sharing with everyone!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Your amazing love is worth singing about every day. May I never take for granted that the gospel I’ve heard is not just for me alone; instead, I must share it freely with others. Thank You for giving us an eternally true story that we can sing about throughout the ages and continue into eternity!
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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.
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