Christmas Carol Countdown | No.5 – See Amid the Winter’s Snow

Today’s devotional is by Becky Watson

"Only a short time ago, the world seemed to come to a sudden stop as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II passed from this life into eternity. This was followed by days of national mourning, many historical ceremonies and pronouncements, and a poignant state funeral.
 
In a few months’ time, the new King – King Charles III – will be crowned, and undoubtedly the pomp and pageantry will be a spectacle producing awe and celebration. For millennia, royalty and key political figures across the world have displayed their prominence, power and wealth, for better or worse, in the most extravagant of ways – expensive vehicles, the finest clothes and uniforms, the biggest buildings and major public events.

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Christmas Carol Countdown | No.6 – Mary, Did You Know?

Today’s devotional is by Lucy McAllister.

"‘Mary, Did You Know?’ is a well-known Christmas song written by Mark Lowry in 1984. The song came to him while he was working on a Christmas program. He remembered a conversation he had with his mother about Jesus' birth, when she said, "If anyone on earth knew for sure that Jesus was virgin born - Mary knew!" Mark then spent the next seven years tweaking his lyrics and thinking about what he would have asked Mary if he had met her.
 

Read more: Christmas Carol Countdown | No.6 – Mary, Did You Know?

Christmas Carol Countdown | No.8 – Once in Royal David’s City

Today’s devotional is by Natalia Crawford.
 
"While some songs on the radio remind us of how little preparation we have made for the festive season, ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ is a great reminder of the true reason as to why we celebrate Christmas - the birth of Jesus Christ.
 
It is undeniable that many of us tend to get caught up amongst the festivities around this time of the year. Christmas trees, decorations, Christmas markets, and even festive drinks at Starbucks and Costa. All of the worldly traditions that have been developed and adapted over the years that we all love (or, in some cases, love to hate...). We don’t want to say that these things aren’t worthwhile. However, we need to cast our minds back to the real reason why we celebrate Christmas. God sent His one and only Son to be born of the Virgin Mary.

Read more: Christmas Carol Countdown | No.8 – Once in Royal David’s City

Christmas Carol Countdown | No.7 – Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Today’s devotional is by Lorna Wilkinson.

 
"This majestic carol encompasses the amazing truth of Philippians 2:6-11: “who, though he [Jesus] was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
 

Christmas Carol Countdown | No.9 – O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Today’s devotional is by James Farmer.
 
"I love this Christmas carol, which celebrates Jesus’ first coming and expresses a longing for His return. It displays a thoroughly Christ-centred focus, with an appreciation for the ‘big picture’ of God’s saving plan. Just the kind of thing we need to keep in mind when we think about Jesus, especially at Christmas time.
 
In the ‘Hymns Ancient & Modern (1861)’ English version [translated from the original Latin version], various titles describe Jesus in the different verses. Each one emphasises an aspect of His person and works. Spending a few moments to unpack some of them is a wonderful treat for our souls, so let’s begin…

Read more: Christmas Carol Countdown | No.9 – O Come, O Come, Emmanuel