Sunday
Dec082019

Sunday's Hymn: Behold, a Branch Is Growing

Behold, a Branch is growing
Of loveliest form and grace,
As prophets sung, foreknowing;
It springs from Jesse’s race
And bears one little Flow’r
In midst of coldest winter,
At deepest midnight hour.

Isaiah hath foretold it
In words of promise sure,
And Mary’s arms enfold it,
A virgin meek and pure.
Through God’s eternal will
This Child to her is given
At midnight calm and still.

The shepherds heard the story,
Proclaimed by angels bright,
How Christ, the Lord of Glory,
Was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped
And in the manger found him,
As angel heralds said.

This Flower whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
The darkness everywhere.
True man, yet very God;
From sin and death he saves us
And lightens every load.

O Saviour, Child of Mary,
Who felt our human woe;
O Saviour, King of Glory,
Who dost our weakness know,
Bring us at length, we pray,
To the bright courts of heaven
And to the endless day.

 

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Friday
Dec062019

Selected Reading

Blogging has been even lighter than usual here lately. I’ve been busy studying Hebrews, for one, and have a post on a verse from Hebrews 5 nearly finished, but I will hold off publishing it until early next week.

Meanwhile, here are a three good things I read during the past two weeks. You might like them too.

Gospel

My Imago Dei Is So Awesome
Anne Kennedy pushes back against a “foolishly high view of the person.” She writes: “Being made in the image of God is not worth very much if you are going to mar that image every day through wanton idolatry, rebellion, sin, selfishness, and a desperate commitment to the darkness of hell.” 

So why have I put this under the heading Gospel? Because, in the end, that’s what it’s really about.

The Gospel and Gratitude
Keeping it in the Kennedy family. This was written specifically for the Thanksgiving holiday, but the message is never out of season: “[G]ratitude in its fullness flows directly from the Christian Gospel because only in the Gospel do we learn that all good things come from above and that they are given freely apart from any work or effort on your part.”

Creeds

Chalcedon
Sinclair Ferguson explains the Chalcedon Definition: “Whatever the failures and flaws of the Christians of the fourth and fifth centuries, it is worth reflecting on the truths articulated in the Chalcedonian Definition, especially at Christmas.”

Sunday
Dec012019

Sunday's Hymn: Sing We the Song of Emmanuel

Sing we the song of Emmanuel
This the Christ who was long foretold
Lo in the shadows of Bethlehem
Promise of dawn now our eyes behold
 
God most high in a manger laid
Lift your voices and now proclaim
Great and glorious, love has come to us
Join now with the hosts of heaven
 
Come we to welcome Emmanuel
King who came with no crown or throne
Helpless He lay, the invincible
Maker of Mary, now Mary’s son
 
O what wisdom to save us all
Shepherds, sages, before him fall
Grace and majesty, what humility
Come on bended knee, addore Him
 
Go spread the news of Emmanuel
Joy and peace for the weary heart
Lift up your heads, for your King has come
Sing for the light overwhelms the dark
 
Glory shining for all to see
Hope alive, let the gospel ring
God has made a way, He will have the praise
Tell the world His name is Jesus
 
Gloria, gloria
Gloria, gloria
Gloria, gloria
Gloria, gloria

 Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, Stuart Townend, and Keith Getty (©2015 Getty Music Hymns and Songs, Getty Music Publishing, Love Your Enemies Publishing, Messenger Hymns, Townend Songs)

 

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