The world waits for a miracle The heart longs for a little bit of hope Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel A child prays for peace on Earth And she's calling out from a sea of hurt Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel And can you hear the angels singing Glory to the light of the world...
What Child is this who laid to restOn Mary's lap is sleeping?Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet,While shepherds watch are keeping? So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,Come Peasant, King to own HimThe King of Kings salvation brings,Let loving hearts enthrone Him....
I heard the bells on Christmas dayTheir old familiar carols playAnd mild and sweet their songs repeatOf peace on earth good will to men And the bells are ringingLike a choir they're singing In my heart I hear them And in despair I bowed my headThere is no peace on...
Hark the herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled" Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skiesWith the angelic host proclaim:"Christ is born in Bethlehem"Hark! The herald angels sing"Glory...
While shepherds kept their watchingover silent flocks by night,behold throughout the heavens,there shone a holy light. Go, tell it on the mountain,over the hills and everywhere.Go, tell it on the mountainthat Jesus Christ is born. The shepherds feared and trembledwhen...
Joy to the world, the Lord is comeLet earth receive her King Let every heart prepare Him roomAnd Heaven and nature singAnd Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!Let men their songs employWhile fields and floods, rocks, hills and...
Come, Thou long expected Jesus Born to set Thy people free; From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee. Israel's strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart. Born Thy people to...
Tears are falling, hearts are breaking How we need to hear from God You've been promised, we've been waiting Welcome Holy Child Hope that You don't mind our manger How I wish we could have known But long-awaited Holy Stranger Make Yourself at home Please make Yourself...
We three kings of Orient are Bearing gifts we traverse afar Field and fountain, moor and mountain Following yonder star We three kings, we three kings Born a king on Bethlehem's plain Gold I bring to crown Him again King forever, ceasing never Over us all to reign Oh,...
The First Noel, the Angels 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 Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel! They looked up and saw a star Shining in...
The Christmas StoryIn those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from...
A good story has a compelling opening. Some of the best stories ever written have familiar first lines that, even if we’ve never read the book, we can quote by heart. When we open the New Testament, at first glance it seems that Matthew didn’t get the memo about...
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. ~ Matthew 2:3 Everyone has had the experience of going to look for something and not be able to find it, only to have someone else point out that it was right there in front of us the whole time....
From our earliest days, we’re captivated by stories. God has written the greatest story ever told. And this story even includes you. Born separated from God, every person needs to be rescued. God, in His love and grace, offers a free gift to all—a solution to our...
I admit it - my nativity scene is biblically inaccurate. I have three wise men and a camel next to the shepherds, looking on at the newborn Jesus in a manger. To me, the wise men’s visit to see the Messiah is one of the most fascinating parts of the Christmas story....
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” ~ Luke 2:30-32 Have you ever felt like you didn’t fit? Like you didn’t belong? It is horrible. You...
I’m a little obsessive compulsive. I like things a certain way. I like when the lines of the screws in an outlet cover line up with each other. If I go to a friend’s house and they have a picture frame tilting too far in one direction, I’ll try to level it. When...
The moments that change your life often aren’t what you expect them to be. In 1996 I met my wife. When you are younger, you expect moments like this to be big and flashy and obvious and romantic. Clouds parting, angels singing, that kind of stuff. Nope. The woman who...
But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. ~ Luke 2:19 Throughout the Bible, we see God showing up on the scene and giving instructions or doing an amazing miracle. Often, this encounter is followed by periods of silence and quiet. Noah,...
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become less and less spontaneous. I like plans. I like to know where I’m going, who’s going to be there, and where the exits are well in advance. I like being prepared and I don’t like surprises. Yeah, I’m the guy who shows up to the airport...
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ~ Luke 2:1 A few years ago I visited the White House. At one point during the tour, there was a very sudden, very noticeable flurry of activity. People were moving...