“In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north, but one great fellowship of love, throughout the whole wide earth.” Amazing!
“In Christ shall true hearts everywhere, their high communion find, His service is the golden cord, close binding humankind. In Christ now meet both east and west, in Him meet south and north, all Christly souls are joined as one, throughout the whole wide earth.”
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power. Ephesians 3:7
“A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So, if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging, if it is giving, give generously, if God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously, and if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”
For You are my hope, O Lord God; You are my trust from my youth. By You I have been upheld from birth. You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb; my praise shall be continually of You. Psalm 71
“In You, O Lord, I put my trust, let me never be put to shame. Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape. Incline Your ear to me and save me, be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually. You have given the commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress.”
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. Isaiah 60:1
“See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look about you, all assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip. Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah; and all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.”
“What a Savior! What a Friend! What a glorious mystery! Once a babe in Bethlehem, now the Lord of history! Glory be to God!”
“Joy has dawned upon the world, promised from creation, God’s salvation now unfurled, hope for every nation. Not with fanfares from above, not with scenes of glory, but a humble gift of love, Jesus born of Mary.”
“O sing a song of Bethlehem, of shepherds watching there, and of the news that came to them, from angels in the air. The light that shone on Bethlehem, fills all the world today; of Jesus’ birth and peace on, the angels sing always.”
“O sing a song of Nazareth, of sunny days of joy; O sing of fragrant flowers’ breath, and of the sinless Boy. For now, the flowers of Nazareth, in every heart may grow; now spreads the fame of his dear name, on all the winds that blow. O sing a song of Galilee, of lake and woods and hill, of him who walked upon the sea and bade the waves be still. For though like waves on Galilee, dark seas of trouble roll, when faith has heard the Master’s work, falls peace upon the soul.” Thank you, Lord, for giving us so much joy in your only Son. He is adored and he is mighty now to save.
“Sages, leave your contemplations, brighter visions beam afar; seek the great Desire of nations; ye have seen his natal star.” To God be the glory!
“We rejoice in the light, and we echo the song, that comes down through the night from the heavenly throng. Ay! we shout to the lovely evangelic they bring, and we greet in his cradle our Savior and King!”
“Shepherds, in the field abiding, watching o’er your flocks by night, God with us is now residing; yonder shines the infant light.” Thank you, Lord!
“In the light of that star, lie the ages impearled; and that song from afar has swept over the world. Every heart is aflame, and the beautiful sing, in the homes of the nations that Jesus is King!”
Angels from the realms of glory, wing your flight o’er all the earth; ye who sang creation’s story, now proclaim Messiah’s birth. Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn king.
There’s a tumult of joy, o’er the wonderful birth, for the virgin’s sweet boy is the Lord of the earth. Ay! the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing, for the Manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!
There’s a song in the air! There’s a star in the sky! There’s a mother’s deep prayer and a baby’s low cry! And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing, for the Manger of Bethlehem cradles a King.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, are you hearing the song in the air? Do you see the star in the sky? Have you heard Mary’s deep prayer, or the baby’s low cry? If you have not heard or seen these things, then you are clearly not ready to approach the Manger of Bethlehem, that cradles a King.