Gift giving is common during this time of the year. We shop for that special something for that special someone. But for just a moment consider those gifts that have been bought, wrapped and are sitting beneath your tree. Each one of them came at a cost. Someone ‘paid’ for those gifts. A sacrifice was made to redeem that present for Christmas morning.
Luke chapter 2 records the birth of Christ and the gift sent from heaven. A gift that was so costly it could only be tagged ‘priceless.’ This Sunday morning we’ll considering Christ as a gift that was given to mankind more than 2000 years ago. A gift from Heaven to Bethlehem.
“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15
Sunday morning, December 22, 2013
The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“O Come, All Ye Faithful” – 997
The strength of this song comes in the chorus as we encourage each other to ‘come let us adore Him.’ A reference to the shepherds hearing the angels announcement of Christ’s birth. We don’t know when Christ was born, but we know He was!
“O Worship the King” – 303
As a continuation of “O Come, All Ye Faithful”, we’ll sing as we worship our King. As children of God we adore Him and worship Him, Christ, the Lord!
“I Gave My Life for Thee” – 354
Singing the first and second verses we sing as though Christ were speaking; “I gave My life for thee, My precious blood I shed, that thou might be ransomed and quickened (to make alive) from the dead…” And yet the third verse holds even more striking images of Christ’s sacrifice as we consider His poetic words; “I suffered much for thee, more than thy tongue can tell, of bitter agony to rescue you from hell…”
“Surround Us, Lord” – no book
Taken from the 125th chapter of Psalms, this contemporary ‘psalm’ encourages the Christian with the assurance of God’s protection. The city of Jerusalem found her protection in the higher ground on which she stood. In like manner, we find our security as we’re surrounded by the power and presence of God.
“Away in a Manger” – 1017
We don’t typically sing this song (lullaby) in worship services, but consider the scripture reading that proceeds it; Luke 2:7, “And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in amanger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” It only seems fitting…
“Joy to the World” – 1018
As we prepare our minds for this morning’s lesson we’ll sing a song of praise that dates back to the 1700’s. ‘Joy to the World’ finds its basis in the book of Psalms, chapter 98. Certainly “…the Lord has come” provides a clear understanding that a gift from heaven has come to Bethlehem.
“Hark the Gentle Voice” – 907
“Ye that labor and are heavy-laden lean upon your dear Lord’s breast (chest)…” Do we feel the urgency to lean on God for our strength? As you sing this invitation song, you’ll hear the call of the Savior. We sing and understand that the gift of salvation is Christ.
“Angels We Have Heard on High” – 1002
The chorus of this favorite ‘Christmas’ hymn is taken from Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest…” We sing in Latin as we sing this verse, “Gloria in Excelsis Deo!” Thanks be to God for the gift from heaven.