By: Erin
A few weeks ago, while setting up Christmas decorations, I began thinking about what this season means to us. Of course, Jesus's birth is the reason why we celebrate this beautiful time of year, but there are other parts of this beautiful season that make it special to us.
For example, it is a Season of Love. A special time set aside to celebrate the love that made Jesus come down to earth to be born as a baby in a manger - the lowliest place possible. Christmas is not just about a baby in a manger, but of Christ on the cross. "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him," 1 John 4:9.
Lo, within a manger lies
He who built the starry skies;
He who, throned in height sublime,
Sits among the cherubim.
Sacred infant, all divine,
What a tender love was Thine,
Thus to come from highest bliss
Down to such a world as this.
Verses 2 & 5 - See Amid the Winter's Snow
It is a Season of Joy - joy because Jesus came to take away our sins and set us free from bondage. "And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour," Luke 1:46-47. "When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy," Matthew 2:10.
Joy to the world! The Lord is come.
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart
Prepare Him room
And saints and angels sing.
Joy to the World
A Season of Peace. A time to reflect on the Prince of Peace coming to earth so that we might always have peace in our hearts. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace," Isaiah 9:6.
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Christmas is a Season of Hope, since we can only have hope in life through what Christ has done for us - the purpose of Christmas. "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins," Matthew 1 :21.
In manger bed He lies,
The glorious King of light,
And all is calm as angles sing
On this still and silent night.
Salvation's joy has come,
God's glory, our delight.
And now new hope to us is given
On this still and silent night.
On This Still and Silent Night
A
Season of Light. As we were hanging up lights, I was reminded that the lights we decorate with at Christmas symbolize Christ coming as the Light of the World. "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life," John 8:12.
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!
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth!
Silent Night
-----------------------------
May we remember the “…good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (Luke 2:10) this Christmas season and rejoice in knowing that Emmanuel has come!
In Bethlehem the Son of God
Is born amid the ox and sheep,
And yet the world unknowing goes
With thoughtless pace and careless sleep.
The King of all has come to earth
Without a crown or majesty;
In manger bed the Baby lies-
A humble birth of low degree.
So calm he lies in Mary's arms,
So meek and mild, so warm and still;
The Word of God in flesh has come
To do His Father's precious will.
Emmanuel Has Come
"He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest:
and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David."
(Luke 1:32)
