Christmas Day December 25

A HAPPY CHRISTMAS to Everyone!

As we celebrate Christmas - family holidays, presents, food, hanging out with loved ones and friends - may we reflect on the real meaning of it which is the celebration of the birthday of Christ, God's greatest gift to us.

Once again, we revisit the Christmas Story that  gives a biblical account of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. The Christmas story is paraphrased from the New Testament Books of Matthew and Luke in the Bible:

Matthew 1:18-25; Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 1:26-38; Luke 2:1-20

I can think of several favourite traditional hymns, and I've been singing them in my heart, but as I post this entry, immediately comes to mind   "O Come, All Ye Faithful."

Words: John F. Wade, cir­ca 1743. Vers­es 1-3 & 6 trans­lat­ed from Latin to Eng­lish by Frederick Oakeley, 1841; vers­es 4 & 5 trans­lat­ed by William T. Brooke (1848-1917).

Music: Ades­te Fi­de­les, John F. Wade

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;

Refrain

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal,
Lo, He shuns not the Virgin’s womb;
Son of the Father, begotten, not created;

Refrain

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;

Refrain

See how the shepherds, summoned to His cradle,
Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps;

Refrain

Lo! star led chieftains, Magi, Christ adoring,
Offer Him incense, gold, and myrrh;
We to the Christ Child bring our hearts’ oblations.

Refrain

Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger,
We would embrace Thee, with love and awe;
Who would not love Thee, loving us so dearly?

Refrain

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.

Refrain

Cyber Hymnal