Good News of Great Joy

"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11)

Merry Christmas!

The Cradle and the Cross

"The crucial significance of the cradle at Bethlehem lies in its place in the sequence of steps that led the Son of God to the cross of Calvary, and we do not understand it till we see it in this context."

--J.I. Packer, Knowing God

HT: Of First Importance

Where Thrones Shake and the Mighty Fall

"For the great and powerful powerful of this world, there are only two places in which their courage fails them, of which they are afraid deep down in their souls, from which they shy away. These are the manger and the cross of Jesus Christ. No powerful person dares to approach the manger, and this even includes King Herod. For this is where thrones shake, the mighty fall, the prominent perish, because God is with the lowly. Here the rich come to nothing, because God is with the poor and hungry, but the rich and satisfied he sends away empty. Before Mary, the maid, before the manger of Christ, before God in lowliness, the powerful come to naught; they have no right, no hope; they are judged."
 
--From Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God Is In the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas

Rise, the Woman's Conqu'ring Seed!

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Charles Wesley, 1707-1788; alt. George Whitefield, 1714-1770

Hark, the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With angelic host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.

Christ, by highest heavn adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord:
Late in time, behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail th'incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.

Hail, the heav'n born Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris'n with healing in his wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.

Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us Thy humble home!
Rise, the Woman's conqu'ring Seed,
Bruise in us the Serpent's head!
Now display Thy saving power,
Ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.

Adam's likeness, Lord, efface;
Stamp Thine image in its place;
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love!
Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the Life, the Heavenly Man:
Oh, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart!
Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.

Rethinking Our Holly-Jolly Christmas Songs

Russell Moore reminds us in this article why it's important to remember that "We have a rich and complicated and often appropriately dark Christmas hymnody."

Of course, some of the blame is on our sentimentalized Christmas of the American civil religion. Simeon the prophet never wished anyone a “holly-jolly Christmas” or envisioned anything about chestnuts roasting on an open fire. But there’s our songs too, the songs of the church. We ought to make sure that what we sing measures up with the, as this fellow would put it, “narrative tension” of the Christmas story.

The first Christmas carol, after all, was a war hymn. Mary of Nazareth sings of God’s defeat of his enemies, about how in Christ he had demonstrated his power and “has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate” (Lk. 1:52). There are some villains in mind there.

Simeon’s song, likewise, speaks of the “fall and rising of many in Israel” and of a sword that would pierce the heart of Mary herself. Even the “light of the Gentiles” he speaks about is in the context of warfare. After all, the light, the Bible tells us, overcomes the darkness (Jn. 1:5), and frees us from the grip of the devil (2 Cor. 4).

Read the entire article here.
 

Five Things to Teach Your Children This Christmas

Christina Fox, in a recent Desiring God article, gives us five things to teach our children this Christmas. Here are those five things:

1.  The Story of Redemption

2.  The Humility of Christ

3.  God Works through Weakness

4.  God Keeps His Promises

5.  The Names of Christ

For further explanation and to read the entire article, click here.

Merry Christmas

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
(Luke 2:11)

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14) 

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons." (Galatians 4:4-5) 

A Surprise Rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus

Many of you have likely seen this before, but it is worth watching again.

On Saturday, October 30, 2010, the Opera Company of Philadelphia brought together over 650 choristers from 28 participating organizations to perform one of the Knight Foundation's "Random Acts of Culture" at Macy's in Center City Philadelphia. Accompanied by the Wanamaker Organ - the world's largest pipe organ - the OCP Chorus and throngs of singers from the community infiltrated the store as shoppers and burst into a pop-up rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah at 12 noon, to the delight of surprised shoppers.

Keith and Kristyn Getty in Jackson

Keith and Kristyn Getty's "Joy: An Irish Christmas" tour will be making a stop in Jackson this Sunday evening.  They will be at West Jackson Baptist Church at 7:00PM on Sunday evening.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here.

Rise, the Woman's Conquering Seed!

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Charles Wesley, 1707-1788; alt. George Whitefield, 1714-1770

Hark, the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With angelic host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.

Christ, by highest heavn adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord:
Late in time, behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail th'incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.

Hail, the heav'n born Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris'n with healing in his wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.

Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us Thy humble home!
Rise, the Woman's conqu'ring Seed,
Bruise in us the Serpent's head!
Now display Thy saving power,
Ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.

Adam's likeness, Lord, efface;
Stamp Thine image in its place;
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love!
Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the Life, the Heavenly Man:
Oh, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart!
Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.

Martin Luther's Christmas Story

Listen to a special Christmas edition of the Beeson Podcast as Timothy George reads Martin Luther's version of the Christmas story. Luther took great pains to make the nativity story come alive for the members of his congregation. Let it help you celebrate the birth of Christ this Christmas.

The Mystery of the Incarnation

"He, through whom time was born, was born in time;
and He, older by eternity than the world itself,
was younger in age than many of His servants in the world;
He, who made man, was made man;
He was given existence by a mother whom He brought into existence;
He was carried in hands which He formed;
He nursed at breasts which He filled;
He cried like a babe in the manger in speechless infancy --
this Word without which human eloquence is speechless!"

--Augustine, Sermon on Christmas

Keith and Kristyn Getty at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis

For those of you in and around Memphis, you might be interested to know that this year's celebration of "The Majesty of Christmas" at Bellevue Baptist Church will feature special guests Keith and Kristyn Getty (who have written modern hymns such as "In Christ Alone," "The Power of the Cross," and "Come, People of the Risen King."

The Gettys will be premiering their new Christmas CD, Joy: An Irish Christmas, as they join with the church's choir and orchestra this Sunday, December 18, at 6:00pm in the worship center at Bellevue. For more information, click here.

Russell Moore on "Christlessness Is Peace"

Russell Moore provides a very thoughtful reflection on the true peace that Christ brings (and the means by which he brings it). Here's an excerpt:

The sound of Christmas, in the biblical text, isn’t the sound of sleigh-bells jingling, but the clanging swords and strangled babies and demon screams. It’s awful.

But in the midst of all that horror, there’s peace. This peace isn’t tranquility and stillness, but the dynamism of the shalom of God’s new creation. It is not merely the perfunctory “good will to men” but peace between the ruler of the universe and those “with whom he is pleased” (Lk. 2:14).

In the gospel, that peaces comes only through war. This isn’t violence, the way we think of it, flesh and blood against flesh and blood. It is the Spirit of Jesus marching as to war against the principalities and powers in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12). It is the blood of Christ silencing the accusations of the ancient dragon (Rev. 12:10-11). This is why the Apostle Paul can say, without contradiction, that the “God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Rom. 16:20).

Read the whole reflection here.

For Unto Us A Child Is Born

A truly beautiful portion of Scripture set to a truly beautiful piece of music:

Wesley's Original Hymn

Most of us are quite familiar with the carol, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." However, the words we have grown accustomed to are not the original words that Charles Wesley wrote (at least, not all of them). The arrangement we traditionally sing is due to the work of the First Great Awakening preacher (and friend to the Wesleys), George Whitefield. Below is Wesley's original hymn.

Hark, How All the Welkin Rings
Charles Wesley, 1739

Hark, how all the welkin rings!
Glory to the King of Kings!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
Universal nature say,
Christ the Lord is born today!

Christ, by highest Heaven adored;
Christ, the Everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of a Virgin's womb:
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail the Incarnate Deity;
Pleased as man with men to appear,
Jesus, our Immanuel here!

Hail, the heavenly Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.

Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us Thy humble home!
Rise, the Woman's conquering Seed,
Bruise in us the Serpent's head!
Now display Thy saving power,
Ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to Thine!

Adam's likeness, Lord, efface;
Stamp Thine image in its place;
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love!
Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the Life, the Heavenly Man;
Oh, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart!

Christmas History Quiz

What is the history behind some of the popular Christmas rituals, carols, treats, and traditions? ChristianHistory.net has an interesting little quiz you can take related to that question.

Click here to test your knowledge.

The Synoptic Gospels and Christ's Threefold Office

While all four of the Gospel writers seem to highlight the threefold office of Christ (Prophet, Priest, and King), it has struck me this Advent season how the synoptic Gospels each appear to emphasize one specific office in the way each introduces Jesus.

Matthew - Priest

Although it could be argued that Matthew emphasizes Jesus' kingly office by beginning with a genealogy that places him in the royal line of David, it is here (and here only) that we learn why this holy Child is to be named Jesus. "She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). His name is tied to the priestly sacrifice he will offer for his people's sins - for that is how he will save them.

Mark - Prophet

The Gospel of Mark does not include a birth narrative of the Christ Child. Instead, Jesus comes onto the scene at the beginning of his public ministry. And the first time we hear him speak, he is fulfilling his prophetic office (preaching about the kingdom). "Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel'" (Mark 1:14-15).

Luke - King

When Luke tells about the angel Gabriel visiting Mary, he emphasizes what Gabriel says regarding the kingly office of Mary's Child. "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end" (Luke 1:32-33).

As stated earlier, no one Gospel is limited to one of Christ's offices. And just because the Synoptics begin the way they do does not mean they only emphasize that particular office. For instance, Matthew goes on to emphasize the prophetic office of Christ with the Sermon on the Mount and with the five major sections of teaching included in his Gospel (reflecting the five books of Moses and showing that Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of Moses' prophetic office). In addition, his Gospel has more parables about the kingdom than any other - and there is little doubt who the King is!

But it is interesting to see how Jesus is introduced in these three Gospels, and it seems that each emphasizes one of Christ's three offices - Prophet (Mark), Priest (Matthew), and King (Luke).

A Lyrical Exposition of "Sing Highest Praises to Our King"

I normally don't comment on the hymns and poems I write. In fact, it is probably a good rule of thumb to suggest that if you have to explain every line or every image, it isn't good poetry in the first place. To seek to interpret every word or metaphor usually harms more than it helps (which is why dynamic equivalent or "thought-for-thought" translations of the Bible often miss the beauty and imagery of Hebrew poetry).

However, there are times when a little background information and explanation can prove beneficial. And sometimes doing a little lyrical exposition can put the theology of a hymn into sharper focus. I hope that will be the case in this instance, as I attempt to give you an idea of what motivated and inspired me to write this most recent hymn.

Let's look at it one verse at a time (each verse will be listed with a brief explanation underneath).

1. Sing highest praises to our King,
Who left His throne above;
And clothed Himself in flesh to bring
The blessings of His love.

There were several truths I wanted to communicate here in this opening verse: (1) that Christ is the King who is worthy of our highest praise (2) that the pre-existence and eternal nature of Christ are significant aspects of the gospel story (3) that the incarnation meant Christ had to leave heaven and take on human flesh and (4) that in doing so, Christ brought countless blessings and benefits to the redeemed.

2. The glory He had long enjoyed,
He humbly set aside;
How great the means which Christ employed
To save a sinful Bride!

One main truth dominates this verse - the depths to which Christ went to redeem us. Specifically, I wanted us to ponder the glorious truth that Christ would leave the glories of heaven, only to come and suffer and die on behalf of sinners.

3. In Bethlehem by virgin birth,
As prophets did foretell;
Our God descended to the earth,
And didst among us dwell.

This verse incorporates some of the more familiar themes of Advent and Christmas: (1) the virgin birth (2) Bethlehem and (3) the Old Testament prophecies that found their ultimate fulfillment in the birth of our Savior. But I also wanted to emphasize the condescension of God (implied in John 1:1-18), where the fullness of deity dwelt in bodily form amongst sinful human beings. This is an amazing truth that we speed by all too often.

4. Yes, see Him in the manger lay,
But let us ne’er forget;
This precious Child was born to pay
Our cursed, sinful debt.

I had a seminary professor that enjoyed reminding us that everybody loves baby Jesus, but they forget that he grew up to be a man - a man who taught hard truths and died a cruel, bloody death. It is all too easy in our sentimental culture to divorce Christmas from Calvary. But the Jesus in the manger and the Jesus on the cross are the same person. I wanted us to make that connection.

5. This perfect Lamb for sinners slain,
Who died and rose again,
Now sits on David’s throne and reigns
In vict’ry over sin.

Here, several theological themes come out: (1) the sinlessness of Christ - "This perfect Lamb" (2) substitutionary atonement - "This perfect Lamb for sinners slain" (3) Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension (4) Jesus' fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant and (5) the inaugurated reign of Christ. I think it is important that we celebrate the entirety of Christ's ministry at Christmas, not just one aspect of it. The incarnation finds meaning in Jesus' death and resurrection. His death and resurrection find meaning in the ascension and second coming. And all of these fit together.

6. So let our longing hearts all burn
With zeal for Christ our King,
And for the day of His return,
When He shall reign supreme!

Like much of evangelical hymnody, I like to end with an eschatological note. This final verse highlights the theme of "longing," which is so characteristic of the Advent season. It also reminds us of Christ's second advent, which will result in the full and final consummation of his kingdom. Oh glorious day!

This Year's Advent/Christmas Hymn

Sing Highest Praises to Our King
M. Justin Wainscott © 2009

Sing highest praises to our King,
Who left His throne above;
And clothed Himself in flesh to bring
The blessings of His love.

The glory He had long enjoyed,
He humbly set aside;
How great the means which Christ employed
To save a sinful Bride!

In Bethlehem by virgin birth,
As prophets did foretell;
Our God descended to the earth,
And didst among us dwell.

Yes, see Him in the manger lay,
But let us ne’er forget;
This precious Child was born to pay
Our cursed, sinful debt.

This perfect Lamb for sinners slain,
Who died and rose again,
Now sits on David’s throne and reigns
In vict’ry over sin.

So let our longing hearts all burn
With zeal for Christ our King,
And for the day of His return,
When He shall reign supreme!