Week Three: Joy: Day Three This carol, along with “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” reminds me of Dickens-era England for some reason. Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. (You can hear it here.) Good Christian Men, Rejoice Good Christian men, rejoice with heart and soul, and voice; Give [...]

Week Three: Joy: Day Two This is not a very common Christmas carol, but I have heard it before, and it does carry the theme of joy very nicely.  I like the chorus where it says, “Joy, joy joy.”  Please do listen to it so you can get an idea of how it sounds, especially [...]

This is the third week of Advent.  This Sunday is sometimes also called Gaudete Sunday because the first word of the latin liturgy is gaudete, which is translated: Rejoice.  The theme of this Sunday is joy, and instead of a purple candle, the pink candle is lit.  This Sunday marks a change in mood from the [...]

Week Two: Peace: Day Seven Matthew 1:21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins. (You can hear this here.) God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay, Remember Christ our Savior was born [...]

Week Two: Peace: Day Six Luke 2:17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. (You can hear this here.) Go, Tell It on the Mountain Go, tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere Go, tell it on the mountain, That [...]

Week Two: Peace: Day Five This is my all time favorite Christmas carol. It was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow during the American Civil War. It was a tragic time with people dying every day. Longfellow was honest about his feelings that the angels’ message of “peace on earth” was untrue and a mockery. I [...]

Week Two: Peace: Day Four Jesus came to the humble folk, but He is not just the Savior of the poor and downtrodden.  I like the fact that the wise men from the East came to worship Jesus.  That tells me Jesus is also the Savior of the smart and educated and yes, even the [...]

Week Two: Peace: Day Three Did you ever wonder why the message of “peace on earth, goodwill to men” was given to the shepherds?  Why shepherds?  I think it’s because they were humble people.  I think humble people care more about peace than the rich.  The rich can buy themselves safety, but it’s the poor [...]

Week Two: Peace: Day Two My Christmas Carol Advent Calendar continues.  This week the Christmas hymns will reflect the theme of peace.  Day one, which was yesterday, started the week.  We continue with a well-known carol.  You can hear it here.  Also check out the extra and original verses. Luke 2:30-32 For my eyes have [...]

Advent continues.  Today is the second Sunday of Advent and the start of the second week of Advent.  We continue to look forward to Jesus’ coming–both in anticipating Christmas and in anticipating his coming again.  For celebrating Jesus’ Advent must needs include both a looking back and a looking forward–it must include more than one [...]