Edtucner, Author at Creation Beckons

The Christ Child Grew

Luke 2:40 The Christ Child Grew

“And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him” (ESV).

Although hymn singing was frequent in eastern Europe, few hymns from the area have been translated to English. One of the traditions in Poland was for the priest to go from home to home often accompanied by a group of singers during the Christmas season. Carrying a star on a pole and a Nativity scene, they sang Christmas hymns and also enacted Nativity plays—the beginning of Christmas caroling. One of the songs often sung, and one of the few translated into English, was “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly.

This holy and lowly infant slept in a cattle stall, hearing animal noises while angels sang, “Christ the babe is Lord of all.” Yes, this tiny infant had lowly beginnings, but He was also holy. The song was sung by angels to the shepherds, who watched their sleeping flocks. The shepherds were the first to hear the Good News, and after seeing the Christ Child, they spread it abroad to those they saw as they walked back to their flocks. As the song says, “Christ the babe was born for you.” I’ll repeat that, as we all should repeat it to the whole world, “Christ the babe was born for you and you and you and you and you…and you. And me! “Thank you, Lord, for giving to me thy great salvation so rich and free.” (Seth and Bessie Sykes c1940)

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

1 Infant holy, infant lowly,
for His bed a cattle stall;
oxen lowing, little knowing
Christ, the babe, is Lord of all.
Swift are winging angels singing,
noels ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the babe is Lord of all!
Christ the babe is Lord of all!

2 Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping
vigil till the morning new
saw the glory, heard the story,
tidings of the gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow,
praises voicing, greet the morrow:
Christ the babe was born for you;
Christ the babe was born for you.

His Name Is Wonderful

Isaiah 9:6 His Name Is Wonderful

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (NKJV).

What an amazing prophesy Isaiah had. It pointed not only to the birth of the Baby Jesus, but it spoke far into the future when Jesus will be called: “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting father, Prince of Peace” for all of eternity.

This song, “His Name Is Wonderful,” was written by Audrey Mieir during a Christmas worship service. The service included a Christmas pageant put on by the children of the church, and, like all of those pageants worldwide, the presence of the Lord drew near. After the pageant, her brother-in-law, the pastor of the church read the prophetic scripture in Isaiah concerning the birth of Jesus, After reading it, He closed His Bible and said, ”His name is wonderful!” Audrey said that a musical chorus came to her mind and she wrote the words, “His name is wonderful. His name is wonderful. His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.” This song was birthed that night, and it remained a short chorus of four lines for a few days until she added the remaining portion. Sounds like a move of the Holy Spirit to me. I, for one, am very glad that she was obedient to the nudging of the Holy Spirit that night in church.

Jesus, my Lord, certainly is wonderful. In her song, Audrey called Jesus the “Mighty King,” not just a king, but a Mighty King, the One who is “Master of everything.” Certainly, He is the master; He created it all. She next contrasts the “Great Shepherd” with the “Rock of All Ages”—from the watcher of sheep who rescues any single lamb who strays, to a rock to lean on through all ages. He is Almighty God! And how do we react to this little baby who will become the “Rock of all Ages?” The proper reaction is to bow down, to worship, to adore Him because His name is Wonderful, and He is “Jesus, my Lord.” In a few short words, Audrey Mieir takes us from the Baby Jesus to “Almighty God.” And that’s who Jesus was from time uncountable before He became Baby Jesus, and it is who He will remain for eternity.

His Name Is Wonderful

His name is wonderful
His name is wonderful
His name is wonderful
Jesus my Lord.

He is the mighty King
Master of everything
His name is wonderful
Jesus my Lord.
He’s the Great Shepherd
The Rock of all ages
Almighty God is He

Bow down before Him
Love and adore Him
His name is wonderful
Jesus my Lord.

Visiting Royalty

Matthew 2:1,2 Visiting Royalty

“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’” (ESV).

These men were the first Gentiles to recognize Jesus for who He was, and they came to worship Him. They must have suspected that Jesus was to become more than the “King of the Jews,” else why would they have worshipped Him? When God put a special star in the sky that they could follow, He was letting them know that something of great import had happened. It’s interesting that they did as Abraham did, they followed the leading of God, but there the following ended for them. They returned to their own lands, but not before they had seen the one born King of the Jews, given Him gifts, and then worshipped Him.

The Christmas carol, “We Three Kings,” was written by John Henry Hopkins Jr. in 1857. The song takes us from the birth of Jesus, the Messiah, through His earthly ministry, His crucifixion, and finally to His resurrection. It is particularly important that this song uses the voices of these three wise men—gentiles—to follow the life of the One who was and is the Savior of all mankind. At this very early time in the life of Jesus, we have the recognition of Jesus as more than just the “King of the Jews.” He was recognized first by those of His nation, Jewish shepherds, but then later by those outside the nation of Israel, just as He was during His ministry and the ministry of His close followers—first to Israel and then to the Gentiles.

The chorus that follows each verse “O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still preceding, guide us to the perfect light” tells of the journey of the magi who followed the “Star of wonder” and “Star of night” until that star guided them to “the Perfect Light”—the star having royal beauty, Jesus. We may not have a visual star in the sky to follow, but I am convinced that God puts something in all of our hearts that will lead us to Jesus just as surely as those wise men of old were led to the child who was to become the “King of the Jews.” All we need to do is emulate the magi and follow the leading given by Almighty God.

We Three Kings

We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

Refrain:
O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.

Refrain

Frankincense to offer have I;
Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, voices raising,
Worshipping God on high.

Refrain

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.

Refrain

Glorious now behold Him arise;
King and God and sacrifice;
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Sounds through the earth and skies.

Refrain

Singing Angels

Luke 2:13,14 Singing Angels

“Suddenly a great army of heaven’s angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to God: ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased’” (GNT).

It wasn’t a solo; it was a choir, an angel choir, a large one at that—“a great army of heaven’s angels.” When we think of angels, we often picture them as beautiful benevolent creatures who float through the air with ease. Or, we think of angels as the warrior angels described in the Bible. When we join them together, we have a fantastic choir, every musical part sung with grace and power in full praise of our Lord. In this Scripture, the angel choir of fantastic beauty and outstanding musical talent sang of “Glory to the newborn King.” I’ve tried to imagine this choir of angels, and I am certain that all my imaginings fall far short of the actual choir. They didn’t sing in a stunning music hall, and they didn’t sing to an audience of affluent patrons who could afford expensive theater tickets. No, this amazing choir sang to a group of shepherds, the plain hard workers of the countryside.

Even though they sang to this small group of laborers, the song of “Glory to the newborn King” is for all of mankind from that day forward. They sang of the blessedness of all of mankind, for we have all had our sins forgiven by this baby born of a virgin. He came so that all nations can be joyful in His message of peace and forgiveness. “Christ the everlasting Lord” became one of us, a human being, in order to bring “light and life” to each of us. He laid His “glory by” and was “born that men no more may die.” He was “Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.” So it is right and fitting that the angels should sing, “Glory to the newborn King.”

This event that took place quietly in a small town, the birth of our Lord—our Savior–was not noted by anyone but a small group of shepherds that evening. But it has grown to be a tumultuous cry to all mankind: “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28 NKJV). That message is sung to us by a choir of One, our Lord and Savior, Jesus, who was born quietly in Bethlehem that extraordinary night.

Not in a Castle

Luke 2:16 Not in a Castle

Then they hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger”(NLT).

The shepherds were told by angels who had just serenaded them that they would find the Savior, and the angels called Him, “Christ the Lord,” which meant to the Jews of that time, the “Anointed One, the Messiah.” They also told the shepherds where they would find Him, in Bethlehem. That’s good as far as it went, but where in Bethlehem? Did they have to search for mangers, and were there many places in Bethlehem where animals were kept? You know, it really doesn’t matter how long they searched. The important thing was that they found Him, and they found Him in an unusual place, in a stable where animals were housed—not in a palace, or even a mansion, or in the finest house in Bethlehem. No, they found Him in a stable with a manger for His bed. There was no finery at the birth of Jesus, just His mother and His earthly father, and some animals with their noise and smells. God went to extremes to show that His Son, the Savior of mankind, was meant to be for all men, even the lowliest—the shepherds. He is, indeed, our Savior, the Savior for every last one of us, even the people we don’t like.

I love the sweet way in which Jesus is portrayed in the Christmas carol, “Away in a Manger.” There is certainly much difficulty, anguish, and controversy to follow Jesus when He began His ministry. But, let’s take the opportunity to picture Him as God sent Him—a baby, one needing extensive care as He grows. No baby is more in need of care than a baby human. Was God giving ordinary people, people just like us, the opportunity and challenge of raising His Son? That appears to be the case, and He didn’t send teams of angels to help with this. He didn’t even send a midwife to assist with the birth. We still have responsibility for Jesus in our own lives. We can make Him the Christ, or we can ignore Him, or we can cast Him off. Yes, Jesus is as helpless in our lives, in our hearts, as the Baby Jesus was in the arms of his mother the moment He was born. Will I accept Him as the Messiah? Will I do whatever I can to encourage His growth in my heart and in my life? Will I help Him grow in me so that others can look at me and say, “I want Jesus?” That’s the responsibility and privilege that we have been given. So let us become good spiritual parents to Jesus “born in us today.”

Away in a Manger

Christmas Bells

Isaiah 9:5-7 Christmas Bells

“For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle, and garments rolled in blood, will be used for burning and fuel of fire. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this” (NKJV).

It is unusual to include verse five in the passage above. When we read this section, we generally begin with, “For unto us….” For a discussion of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” it is appropriate. This Christmas hymn came out of the anguish and despair of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, one of America’s best well-known poets.

In 1861 Longfellow’s wife’s clothing caught on fire. He was in a different room, and he ran to her aid, but was unable to distinguish the flames with a rug, so he threw his body on hers to put out the fire. Unfortunately, she was too badly burned to survive. She died the next morning. Henry was greatly depressed and submerged himself in his work. A few years later, his son, Charley, enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War. He contracted typhoid fever and was sent home to recuperate. After he recovered, he returned to the army. On December 1, 1863, Henry received a telegram telling him that his son had been severely wounded several days earlier. He was shot through the left shoulder with the bullet exiting under his right shoulder blade, nicking his spine on the way through his body. Now, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was a widower with five children, and one of them was critically wounded. In these despairing circumstances He penned the words to “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”

Much can be said about the various verses of this carol, but I don’t believe that I am the one to add to the words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. I doubt that many of us will hear all the verses of this carol sung, but I encourage you to read every verse, and read it aloud. When you do, you may feel as Longfellow did, despair, but the joyous resolution of the final stanza will lift your heart and hands in praise and thanks to our great God. I have got to quote the last verse here because it is the promise brought by the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. “Then pealed the bells more loud and deep; God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; the wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good-will to men.”

Let Heaven and Nature Sing

Psalm 96:11,12 Let Heaven and Nature Sing

“May the heavens be joyful, and may the earth rejoice; may the sea roar, and all it contains; may the field be jubilant, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy” (NASB).

This well-known Christmas carol was taken from Isaac Watts’ paraphrase of Psalm 98, particularly verses 4-9, and as such, it really speaks more of Christ’s second coming than of His birth. The music is actually taken from Handel’s “Occasional Hymns and Hymn Tunes,” an arrangement by Lowell Mason, a Boston music educator in the 1800s.

It begins in verse one with a call to the whole world, including the heavens and the earth to receive her King with joyous song. It continues in verse two as the “Savior Reigns, and in verse three, “He comes to make His blessings flow.” In the final stanza, “He rules the world.” All of this is true and is certainly good reason to rejoice and sing, but it does seem more appropriate as a song of rejoicing at the second coming of Jesus Christ when He will become the ruler of the earth for a thousand years.

As a nature photographer, I am especially fond of heaven and nature singing, of fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeating the sounding joy of men singing jubilantly. Whenever I look at the beauty of God’s creation, all the fantastic variety of animals, plants, landforms, stars, and planets, I am brought close to my Lord, and my joy expands. Christmas time with the decorations, the singing of His coming, and the frequent messages of God’s plan to send His Son to provide for our salvation–our assurance of a heavenly eternity–brings peace to my spirit and heart as I wonder at His love. His love is above description, lasts forever, and is available to anyone who will accept it.

Joy to the World

Immanuel, God with Us

Matthew 1:22,23 Immanuel, God with Us

“So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us’” (KJV).

The text of this hymn goes back to the 8^th century and was used as a call and response during vespers. The original text contained a reverse acrostic, “ero cras,” which means, “I shall be with you tomorrow.” It was translated into English by J. M. Neale in 1851. Thomas Helmore adapted a 15^th century chant tune to this text in 1854.

O Come, O Come Immanuel

Israel was held captive as are we until we allow Jesus Christ to enter our lives and grant us forgiveness. We ask God Almighty, who has created the world, to teach us how to live. It is our prerogative to ask God through His Son to rescue us and give us victory over the grave. Asking God to show us the way, the road to heaven, is our great cry. We ask for comfort and that the shadows be pushed aside so that we can see the light. Lastly, we ask God to enter all our hearts and spread His love throughout the world so that war will cease, and we ask this in a cry for Him to come and be our “King of Peace.”

To all of these requests is the answer: “Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.” But today we can confidently say, “Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel has come to all of us!” He came first as a babe in a manger, and we rejoice over that. But He shall come again, when all men will acknowledge Him as Lord, and those who have rejoiced because they have previously acknowledged Him as Lord will then be carried to everlasting joy and rejoicing in His company. See you there!

Peace on Earth

Luke 2:13,14 Peace on Earth

“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, good will toward men’” (KJV).

“It Came Upon A Midnight Clear” was written in 1849 as a poem by Edmund Sears. He originally wrote five stanzas, but most hymnals include only four, omitting the third stanza that speaks starkly of the effect on Edmund Sears of the turbulent times of his life. The war between the United States and Mexico had just ended, and there was much turmoil in Europe. Edmund was in a time of personal melancholy, so these difficulties preyed on his mind. The usual missing third stanza follows:

“Yet with the woes of sin and strife

The world has suffered long;

Beneath the angel-strain have rolled

Two thousand years of wrong;

And man, at war with man, hears not

The love-song which they bring;

Hush the noise, ye men of strife,

And hear the angels sing.”

Yes, the world has suffered 2000 years of woe, but it is woe we have brought on ourselves, and we haven’t heard the love song of God. We need to do as Sears says, “Hush the noise, ye men of strife, and hear the angels sing.” It seems that Sears was writing not only of his time, but for ours, also.

The angels came, and they sang, “Peace on earth, good will to men from heaven’s all-gracious King.” Where else are we to get peace and good will? Our hearts filled with jealousy, envy, and pride make little provision for “Peace on earth, good will to men.” Our source of peace and good will lies in the love of our Father God and in the sacrifice of His Only Begotten Son, Jesus. They have given all so that we could experience peace and good will. They have made it available to us, and it is up to us to ensure that with our actions and our words, we receive peace on earth. There is great joy in the gift of our Savior, Jesus, and that joy needs to shine through us every day. By living in the joy of Christ, we can offer peace and good will to those we encounter on a daily basis. In fact, we are told to do so in Romans 12:18: “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” It does depend upon us, so let us let the joy of Christmas jump forth from our words and actions this Christmas season.

Go Tell It on the Mountain

Isaiah 40:9 Go Tell It on the Mountain

“Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voices with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, ‘Behold your God!” (RSV)

“Go Tell It on the Mountain” was one of the songs used to save a university. In 1871, Fisk University was deep in debt and desperate for supporters and funds. A ten-member singing group, called the Fisk Jubilee Singers, left on a fund-raising campaign. When they left, they took with them the entire university treasury to cover their travel expenses. Their very successful tour helped Fisk University survive, and “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” became one of their mainstay songs. For that reason alone, it is a very important song. But this spiritual arouses many through its words and its demand that we “Go tell it on the mountain” and everywhere, that “Jesus Christ Is Born.”

Go Tell It on the Mountain

Isaiah 40:1 tells us to lift up our voices with strength and announce, “Behold your God.” This spiritual does just that. It seems that the chorus gets louder and more robust each time it is sung, as it should. Each time we announce the arrival of our Lord as the Baby Jesus we should be shouting, and with each shout the joy of His coming increases in our hearts. If we shout it loud enough and long enough, all the world will come to hear our proclamation. And then each man and woman will have to make the most important decision of his or her life—whether to accept Jesus as Savior or not. It is a fateful decision that will determine where each one of us will spend eternity. Please accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. If you do, I will get to greet you one day in eternity.