Christmas season: The birth of our Lord

Who holds all things together He chose us in Christ Before the foundation of the world. Ephesians 1:4   Read Colossians 1:15—17 My day, the day I have just lived, has come to me courtesy of Jesus Christ. The same thing has happened to everyone I have encountered this day. Those strong in faith, those…

Christmas season: The birth of our Lord

The royal line He said to me, ‘You are my son; Today I have begotten you.’ Psalm 2:7   Read 2 Samuel 7:4—14 I have sung carols about royalty: royal David’s city; glory to the new-born king; born a child and yet a king. The songs go beyond mere royalty, too: he came down to…

Christmas season: The birth of our Lord

Christmas continued Great are the works of the Lord, Studied by all who delight in them. Psalm 111:2   Read Luke 2:16—20 This day after Christmas I have had the opportunity to enter into the action of the story, the first story. I have had the opportunity along with the shepherds to tell of this…

Christmas Day

The Word who lived among us What we have looked at and touched with our hands, Concerning the word of life. 1 John 1:1   Read John 1:1—5,14 All this Christmas Day I have been dealing with what Jesus has done. From the time I woke, through all the worship, greeting fellow worshippers, my meals,…

Christmas Eve

This night Joy to the world, the Lord is come, Let earth receive her king. Isaac Watts   Luke 2:10—14 Christmas Eve. So it is Christmas Eve. It is time for me to listen. It is time for me to listen with the shepherds, to listen along with them to the angels. And I will…

Advent: The coming joy

Caught in the world’s rejection He came to what was his own, And his own people did not accept him. John 1:12   Read Isaiah 53:1—6 Why was the Servant of God rejected? I ask myself that. Why was Jesus rejected? And why is he still? In the day I have just lived I can…

Advent: The coming joy

Here is your God I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered On a day of clouds and thick darkness. Ezekiel 34:12   Read Isaiah 40:9—11 This day is drawing to a close. I have lived the active part of it. Now I reflect before God. And because I…

Advent: The coming joy

His name is Immanuel The Lord, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth And formed the human spirit within. Zechariah 12:1   Read Isaiah 7:10—16 Immanuel. God with us. There was just once when the New Testament writers picked up this name, quoted this verse, and said what a good fit it is…

Advent: The coming joy

The song and dance of God Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, For he will speak peace to his people. Psalm 85:8   Read Jeremiah 31:2—6 Maybe I’d be reading this into the text, but I sort of can’t help doing it. For I know that at the beginning of God’s work…

Advent: The coming joy

The song of the blessed He has brought down the powerful from their thrones And lifted up the lowly. Luke 1:52   Read Luke 1:46—50 This night let me sing with Mary. Let me magnify the Lord. Let me rejoice that God is my Saviour. That he looks on lowliness. I need not earn his…