When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Matthew 2:10-11 Christmas is not just about acknowledging Jesus but adoring him. It is not first about our witness to the world but about worship…
One of my favorite Christmas carols is Joy to the World. It is an upbeat hymn and one that, right from the beginning, celebrates the coming of Jesus and calls us to worship. The hymn was written by Isaac Watts (1674-1748) and was published in 1719. While Joy to the World has been sung during…
In a season often marked by a frenzied busyness, Advent is an opportunity to set aside time to prepare our hearts. The term advent is a version of a Latin word that means “coming.” The four weeks before Christmas are set aside as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of Jesus’…
Christmas is fast approaching and, not surprisingly, my kids and grandchildren are looking forward to seeing what’s under the tree. The grandkids, at least, are still young enough that they are waiting with bated breath to learn what treasures they’ll be receiving. Ridge has already peeled back the corner to discover one of his presents.…
One of my favorite Christmas carols is Joy to the World. It is an exciting hymn and one that, right from the beginning, celebrates the coming of Jesus and calls followers of Jesus to active worship. And while I appreciate and enjoy the contemplative nature of many Christmas hymns that are slower and more meditative in nature, Joy to the World is…