We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum. A.W. Tozer
Therefore let God-inspired Scripture decide between us; and on whichever side be found doctrines in harmony with the word of God, in favor of that side will be cast the vote of truth. --Basil of Caesarea
Once you learn to discern, there's no going back. You will begin to spot the lie everywhere it appears.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. 1 Timothy 1:12

Friday, December 25, 2020

The Gospel at Christmas

Our Christmas Eve service was a pretty solid gospel message through scripture and song. I want to share it with my readers. You’ll notice that for the hymns we didn’t always sing all verses, but that was just fine because the full message was there.  

After a few words and opening prayer from a visiting pastor two women sang the song, He Who Is Mighty.  I had to look up the lyrics because I can almost never understand the words when women are singing. So here you are:


Oh, the mercy our God has shown

To those who sit in death's shadow

The sun on high, pierced the night

Born was the Cornerstone


Unto us a Son is given, unto us a Child is born

He Who is mighty has done a great thing

Taken on flesh, conquered death's sting

Shattered the darkness and lifted our shame

Holy is His name


Oh, the freedom our Savior won

The yoke of sin has been broken

Once a slave, now by grace

No more condemnation


Unto us a Son is given, unto us a Child is born

He Who is mighty has done a great thing

Taken on flesh, conquered death's sting

Shattered the darkness and lifted our shame

Holy is His name

Holy is His name


Now my soul magnifies the Lord

I rejoice in the God Who saves

I will trust His unfailing love

I will sing His praises all my days


My soul magnifies the Lord

I rejoice in the God Who saves

I will trust His unfailing love

I will sing His praises all my days


He Who is mighty has done a great thing

Taken on flesh, conquered death's sting

Shattered the darkness and lifted our shame

Holy is His name

Holy is His name


For the remainder of the service, a Bible passage (ESV) was read and then we sang a hymn.


The Promise Given—Genesis 3:8-15: Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”


Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus


Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art;
dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.


Come to earth to taste our sadness, he whose glories knew no end;

by his life he brings us gladness, our Redeemer, Shepherd, Friend.

Leaving riches without number, born within a cattle stall;

this the everlasting wonder, Christ was born the Lord of all.


Born Thy people to deliver, born a child, and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever, now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone;
by Thine own sufficient merit, raise us to Thy glorious throne.


The extent of the blessing foretold—Genesis 22:15-18: And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”


It Came Upon a Midnight Clear


It came upon a midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth

To touch their harps of gold

“Peace on the earth, good will to men

From heaven’s all-gracious King" –
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.


And ye, beneath life's crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing; –
Oh, rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing!


For lo! the days are hastening on
By prophet bards foretold,
When, with the ever circling years
Shall come the age of gold;
When Peace shall over all the earth,
Its ancient splendors fling,
And the whole world give back the song,
Which now the angels sing.


The Promise is of a King—Isaiah 9:2, 6-7: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone…. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.


Hark! The Herald Angels Sing


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 th' angelic host proclaim,

"Christ is born in Bethlehem." 

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King!”


Christ, by highest heav'n adored:

Christ, the everlasting Lord;

Late in time behold him come,

Offspring of the favored one.

Veil'd in flesh, the Godhead see;

Hail, th'incarnate Deity:

Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,

Jesus, our Emmanuel!

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King!"


Hail! the heav'n born 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.

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King!”


The Angel Declares That God Has Come to Save—Matthew 1:18-23: Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”


O Come, O Come, Emmanuel


O come, O come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here,

Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.


O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free

Thine own from Satan's tyranny;

From depths of hell thy people save,

And give them victory o'er the grave.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.


O come, thou Key of David, come

And open wide our heav'nly home;

Make safe the way that leads on high,

And close the path to misery

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.


The Shepherds Go to Bethlehem—Luke 2:8-20:  And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, 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. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.


At this point a trio of young women sang the song, Candlelight Carol. 


How do you capture

The wind on the water?

How do you count all the stars in the sky?

How can you measure

The love of a mother

Or how can you write down

A baby's first cry?


Candlelight, angel light

Firelight and star glow

Shine on his cradle till breaking of dawn

Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Angels are singing

The Christ child is born


Shepherds and wise men

Will kneel and adore him

Seraphim round him their vigil will keep

Nations proclaim him

Their Lord and their Saviour

But Mary will hold him

And sing him to sleep


Candlelight, angel light

Firelight and star glow

Shine on his cradle till breaking of dawn

Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Angels are singing

The Christ child is born


Find him at Bethlehem laid in a manger

Christ our Redeemer asleep in the hay

Godhead incarnate and hope of salvation

A child with his mother

That first Christmas Day


Candlelight, angel light

Firelight and star glow

Shine on his cradle till breaking of dawn

Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Angels are singing

The Christ child is born

Angels are singing

The Christ child is born


The Wise Me Go to Worship—Matthew 2:1-2, 9-12: Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”… After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 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. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.


What Child Is This?


What Child is this who, laid to rest

On Mary's lap is sleeping?

Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet,

While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;

Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.


Why lies He in such mean estate,

Where ox and ass are feeding?

Good Christians, fear, for sinners here

The silent Word is pleading.

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,

The cross be borne for me, for you.

Hail, hail the Word made flesh,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.


So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,

Come peasant, king to own Him;

The King of kings salvation brings,

Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Raise, raise a song on high,

The Virgin sings her lullaby.

Joy, joy for Christ is born,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.


The Little Child is the Infinite God—John 1:1-14: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people[c] did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 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.


O Come, All Ye Faithful


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

O come, let us adore Him

O come, let us adore Him

O come, let us adore Him

Christ the Lord!


God of God, Light of Light

Lo, He abhors not the Virgin's womb

Very God

Begotten, not created

O come, let us adore Him

O come, let us adore Him

O come, let us adore Him

Christ the Lord!


Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning

Jesus, to Thee be glory given

Word of the Father

Now in flesh appearing

O come, let us adore Him

O come, let us adore Him

O come, let us adore Him

Christ the Lord!


This is Good News!  Short, excellent gospel homily by the pastor as elders begin the lighting of the candles.  As the hymn begins the lights are turned down.


Silent Night! Holy Night!


Silent night! Holy night!

All is calm, all is bright

'Round yon virgin Mother and Child,

Holy infant, so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace,

Sleep in heavenly peace.


Silent night! Holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight!

Glories stream from heaven afar;

Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!

Christ the Savior is born!

Christ the Savior is born!


Silent night! Holy night!

Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from thy holy face,

With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord at Thy birth,

Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.


Silent night! Holy night!

Wondrous star, lend thy light; 

With the angels let us sing

Alleluia to our King;

Christ the Savior is born!

Christ the Savior is born!


Have a blessed Christmas!


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