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Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Listen to this message on your
audio player.
"Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne"
"Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" (Philippians 2:5-7).
"Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne" was written by Emily Elliot to teach children the truths of the advent and nativity. Considering the rich theological depth of the song, which focuses not only on Christ's birth, but also His life, suffering, death and ultimate triumph, it may surprise you that it was initially intended as a children's song.
Today let's focus on the words, "When Thou camest to earth for me". This describes what is theologically known as the incarnation. The noun "incarnation" is derived from the ecclesiastical Latin verb incarno, meaning "to make into flesh" or "to be made flesh".
In His incarnation God in Christ "came to earth". The apostle Paul, in his magnificent incarnation passage states, "Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" (Philippians 2:5-7).
Theologian Herman Bavinck states, "But what spells out His grace is the fact that from the moment of creation God stoops down to His creatures, speaking and appearing to them in human fashion." The incarnation is God's ultimate demonstration of grace in sending His one and only Son to this world to die for our sins.
Today what a difference it when I personalize the incarnation of Jesus and consider that God has indeed "come to earth for me". C. S. Lewis wrote so poignantly, "The Son of God became a Son of Man that sons of men might become sons of God". That's right! And remember this wonderful truth today; this season, and all your life! How blessed we are that God came to the earth to live among us! Now let us look up to Him who gave His all for us!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer:
Jesus, You came to earth from heaven to
take on flesh
and dwell among us as You became the supreme example of God in the
flesh, pouring out Your grace upon grace. In Your humanness You were
victorious in the raging battle
against the spiritual forces of evil when faced with temptations and
trials common to all people. We stand in glorious victory as we follow
Your example and hold to Your unchanging truths. We come alongside
those who are grieving loss and enduring heartache in the midst of this
glorious season, for it is in keeping with the season of giving, that we
give ourselves in faithful prayer toward these in grief. It
is in the loving
name of Jesus that we pray. Amen.
Today is a special day for Bill and Lucy Mosebarger. I conducted their wedding in St. Marys PA on December 18, 1992, which was the last wedding I officiated during our 17 years of ministry there. They are celebrating their 20th anniversary today. Bill and Lucy have three children, remain faithful to the Lord and to each other. Ester was delighted to be the flower girl at their wedding held on a beautiful snow covered evening.
(Bill really doesn't have big hair; that must be a shadow!)
Bill has an interesting testimony of receiving Christ while attending college at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. When he finished college (as a forester) he returned home and wanted to get into a Bible teaching church. He had no idea which one so he started with the Yellow pages and attended the church listed first alphabetically which was ours since it began with AGAPE. We don't recommend that method but it worked for Bill and he was a blessing to us!
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne" Video Studio Musicians
I came across this outstanding selection of Christmas music from some very gifted college students:
"O Come All Ye Faithful" Video University of Mobile Christmas Spectacular 2012
"O Holy Night" Video University of Mobile Christmas Spectacular 2012
"Carol Of The Bells" Video University of Mobile Christmas Spectacular 2012
Each year we share several online resources that we have used over the years and that may be a blessing to families and churches during this Christmas season.
"In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services many years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling.
"When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune.
Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family:
John 1:1-18 pdf
"O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf
My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. This is the poem that Brooksyne read and wrote about in this message.
Christmas Knowledge Test
We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down to "Light" in Christmas carols).
<Previous Message Next Message>
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Listen to this message on your
audio player."Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne"
"Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" (Philippians 2:5-7).
Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
when Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem's home there was found no room
for Thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
when Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem's home there was found no room
for Thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
"Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne" was written by Emily Elliot to teach children the truths of the advent and nativity. Considering the rich theological depth of the song, which focuses not only on Christ's birth, but also His life, suffering, death and ultimate triumph, it may surprise you that it was initially intended as a children's song.
Today let's focus on the words, "When Thou camest to earth for me". This describes what is theologically known as the incarnation. The noun "incarnation" is derived from the ecclesiastical Latin verb incarno, meaning "to make into flesh" or "to be made flesh".
In His incarnation God in Christ "came to earth". The apostle Paul, in his magnificent incarnation passage states, "Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" (Philippians 2:5-7).
Theologian Herman Bavinck states, "But what spells out His grace is the fact that from the moment of creation God stoops down to His creatures, speaking and appearing to them in human fashion." The incarnation is God's ultimate demonstration of grace in sending His one and only Son to this world to die for our sins.
Today what a difference it when I personalize the incarnation of Jesus and consider that God has indeed "come to earth for me". C. S. Lewis wrote so poignantly, "The Son of God became a Son of Man that sons of men might become sons of God". That's right! And remember this wonderful truth today; this season, and all your life! How blessed we are that God came to the earth to live among us! Now let us look up to Him who gave His all for us!
When the heav’ns shall ring, and her choirs shall sing,
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying “Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for Thee.”
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying “Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for Thee.”
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer:
Jesus, You came to earth from heaven to
take on flesh
and dwell among us as You became the supreme example of God in the
flesh, pouring out Your grace upon grace. In Your humanness You were
victorious in the raging battle
against the spiritual forces of evil when faced with temptations and
trials common to all people. We stand in glorious victory as we follow
Your example and hold to Your unchanging truths. We come alongside
those who are grieving loss and enduring heartache in the midst of this
glorious season, for it is in keeping with the season of giving, that we
give ourselves in faithful prayer toward these in grief. It
is in the loving
name of Jesus that we pray. Amen.Today is a special day for Bill and Lucy Mosebarger. I conducted their wedding in St. Marys PA on December 18, 1992, which was the last wedding I officiated during our 17 years of ministry there. They are celebrating their 20th anniversary today. Bill and Lucy have three children, remain faithful to the Lord and to each other. Ester was delighted to be the flower girl at their wedding held on a beautiful snow covered evening.
(Bill really doesn't have big hair; that must be a shadow!)
Bill has an interesting testimony of receiving Christ while attending college at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. When he finished college (as a forester) he returned home and wanted to get into a Bible teaching church. He had no idea which one so he started with the Yellow pages and attended the church listed first alphabetically which was ours since it began with AGAPE. We don't recommend that method but it worked for Bill and he was a blessing to us!
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne" Video Studio Musicians
I came across this outstanding selection of Christmas music from some very gifted college students:
"O Come All Ye Faithful" Video University of Mobile Christmas Spectacular 2012
"O Holy Night" Video University of Mobile Christmas Spectacular 2012
"Carol Of The Bells" Video University of Mobile Christmas Spectacular 2012
Resources
for Christmas Celebrations
(We will leave these resources posted below our daily messages through Christmas)
Each year we share several online resources that we have used over the years and that may be a blessing to families and churches during this Christmas season.
"In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services many years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling.
"When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune.
Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family:
John 1:1-18 pdf
"O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf
My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. This is the poem that Brooksyne read and wrote about in this message.
Christmas Knowledge Test
We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down to "Light" in Christmas carols).
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
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