Christmas
Christmas Cards and Open Hearts

Christmas Cards and Open Hearts

Christmas Cards and Open Heartsy recently married cousin called the other day to ask if she needed to start sending Christmas cards now that she was officially an adult.  She liked receiving cards but wasn’t sure that she was ready to get on board...

Light Work

Light Work

Light Workhated the idea of hanging Christmas lights outside of our home. I thought it was a waste of time to put up lights only to take them back down a few weeks later. My wife, on the other hand, had trouble imagining Christmas in our home...

The Wonder of Advent

The Wonder of Advent

The Wonder of Advents a child, I would eagerly await the arrival of December 1, the day we could start opening our Advent calendars. The thick, paper calendars – imported from Europe by my mom who’d spent most of her childhood there as a missionary...

Day 25: Coventry Carol

Day 25: Coventry Carol

Lullay, lullayMy little tiny childBy-by, lullay, lullay Oh, sisters two how may we doFor to preserve this day? This poor youngling of whom we do sing Herod the King in his ragingCharged he hath this day His men of might in his own sightAll children young to slay Then...

Hidden for All to See

Hidden for All to See

The arrival of God to earth could have been the most extravagant welcome ever seen—an all-out effort for an over-the-top celebration. But it didn’t happen that way. A few private announcements confirmed the arrival of Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah. But the Savior’s...

Day 24: O Holy Night

Day 24: O Holy Night

Oh, holy night! The stars are brightly shiningIt is the night of the dear Savior's birthLong lay the world in sin and error piningTill He appeared and the soul felt its worthA thrill of hope the weary world rejoicesFor yonder breaks a new and glorious morn Fall on...

Day 23: Mary Did You Know

Day 23: Mary Did You Know

Mary, did you knowthat your Baby Boy would one day walk on water? Mary, did you knowthat your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters? Did you knowthat your Baby Boy has come to make you new?This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you. Mary, did you...

Day 22: O Come All Ye Faithful

Day 22: 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 Christ the Lord O sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation O come, o come ye to Bethlehem O Come and...

Day 21: Handel’s Messiah

Day 21: Handel’s Messiah

For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! The kingdom of this world Is become the kingdom of our Lord And of His Christ, and of His Christ And He shall reign for ever and ever And He shall reign for ever and ever And He shall...

Day 20: Away In The Manger

Day 20: Away In The Manger

Away in a manger No crib for His bed The little Lord Jesus Lay down His sweet head The stars in the sky Look down where He lay The little Lord Jesus Asleep on the hay The cattle are lowing The poor Baby wakes But little Lord Jesus No crying He makes I love Thee, Lord...

Day 19: Breath of Heaven

Day 19: Breath of Heaven

I have traveled many moonless nights Cold and weary with a babe inside And I wonder what I've done Holy father you have come And chosen me now to carry your son I am waiting in a silent prayer I am frightened by the load I bear In a world as cold as stone Must I walk...

Day 18: Do You Hear What I Hear

Day 18: Do You Hear What I Hear

Said the night wind to the little lamb Way up in the sky, little lamb Do you see what I see   Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy Do you hear what I hear   Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king In your palace wall, mighty...

Day 17: Joyful, Joyful

Day 17: Joyful, Joyful

Joyful, Joyful, we adore TheeGod of glory, Lord of loveHearts unfold like flow'rs before TheeOpening to the sun above Melt the clouds of sin and sadnessDrive the dark of doubt awayGiver of immortal gladness,Fill us with the light of day! All Thy works with joy...

Day 16: Silent Night

Day 16: 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   Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight! Glories stream from heaven afar; Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!...

Day 15: Little Drummer Boy

Day 15: Little Drummer Boy

Come they told me A new born king to see Our finest gifts we bring To lay before the king So to honor him When we come   I am a poor boy too I have no gift to bring That's fit to give our king   I played my drum for him I played my best for him Then he smiled at me Me...

Day 14: Angels We Have Heard On High

Day 14: Angels We Have Heard On High

Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o'er the plains And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains Angels we have heard on high Sweetly, sweetly through the night And the mountains in reply Echoing their brief delight Gloria, in excelsis Deo Gloria,...

Day 13: It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

Day 13: It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

It came upon the midnight clearThat glorious song of oldFrom angels bending near the earthTo touch their harps of gold"Peace on the earth, goodwill to menFrom Heaven's all gracious King!"The world in solemn stillness layTo hear the angels sing Still through the cloven...

Day 12: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Day 12: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear   Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel   O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here Disperse the gloomy...

Day 11: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Day 11: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

God rest ye merry gentlemen let nothing you dismay Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day To save us all from Satan's pow'r when we were gone astray Oh tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy   In Bethlehem, in Israel, this blessed Babe was born And...