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Published: Saturday, 17 December 2022 10:00
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
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Published: Thursday, 15 December 2022 10:00
Today’s devotional is by Becky Watson
One thing I find very interesting about this hymn is how, while singing, we jump from being the watcher of the Christmas story to being the angels singing of Christ’s birth. We get to play a part in the Christmas story!
Originally a French carol - “Les Anges dans nos Campagnes” (‘The Angels in the Countryside’) - the carol tells of the shepherds being visited by angels. Most of us know the story; shepherds sat in the fields with their flocks, their duty to guide and protect their sheep. Then, suddenly, an angel appeared to them and told them of Christ’s birth. Luke writes, “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!’ ” - Luke 2:13-14 (ESV)
Read more: Christmas Carol Countdown | No.11 – Angels We Have Heard On High
