Experiencing the Manifold Grace of God
This Advent hymn by Emily S. Elliott is one of my favorites. Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly power when Thou camest to earth for me: but in Bethlehem's home there was found no room for Thy holy nativity! O come to my heart Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for [...]
This favorite Advent hymn has a surprising origin that I want to take some time to share. It was written by Placide Cappeau of France in 1847. Placide suffered a terrible accident at the age of 8 when a playmate shot him in the hand by mistake . He ended up losing his hand as [...]
This Advent hymn centers around the shepherds who were the first to hear the glorious, angelic proclamation of Christ's birth. As mentioned in a previous Advent post, these shepherds were not ordinary shepherds. The more I’ve studied this, the more I’m in awe of how God orchestrated the Christmas story. Rabbi Jason Sobel says of [...]
Noel is "a term signifying the holiday season. Noel comes to us form the Latin verb "nasci," meaning to be born. A variation of (the word natalis), "nael," made its way into Old French as a reference to the Christmas season and later into Middle English as "nowel” (Etymology of Noel). Yesterday we talked about [...]
Whence is that goodly fragrance flowing, stealing our senses all away! I love how this Christmas hymn written in 1728 associates Jesus with a "goodly fragrance." Ephesians 5:1-2 says, "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering [...]
We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.WE THREE KINGS OF ORIENT ARE verse 1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who [...]
A few years ago, Prince William and Kate had their first baby Prince George. You may have heard the Town Crier on the news shouting at the top of his lungs, "Hear ye! Hear ye!" He was announcing the royal birth. "The birth of the royal baby had been followed around the world. In America, [...]
Angels from the realms of glory, wing your flight o’er all the earth; ye who sang creation’s story now proclaim Messiah’s birth. ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY verse 1 “Look Daddy! Every time a bell rings, an Angel gets his wings!” As adorable as this is from my favorite Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful [...]
O Come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant! O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem! Come and behold Him, born the King of Angels! O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him! O Come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL verse 1 Originally written in [...]
What Child is this who lay to rest on Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?WHAT CHILD IS THIS? verse 1 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulders. And His name will be [...]
Simply Persuaded 