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"The Oldest Christmas Song"
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14).
Our family is very excited about this coming Friday evening. Some of our Mennonite and Amish neighbors are going to join with us in caroling most especially to the widowed and folks who live alone. Leon is going to drive the tractor and the carolers will ride on the hay wagon from house to house. After our caroling we'll come together at our house for some hot chocolate and Christmas treats and I am quite sure we'll sing a few more carols! Does that sound like fun or what?
What is your very favorite Christmas hymn? I would imagine that a variety of hymns would be expressed if such a poll were taken among Christians. But I am quite sure that any top ten list would include songs such as "O come all ye faithful", "Silent Night" and "Joy to the World." Each of these are older classic hymns that have been sung again and again to express faith by various generations and cultures.
But what is the oldest Christmas song? Actually there was an expression of praise by Mary while she carried Jesus in her womb (Luke 1:46-55). Many have called this "Mary's song". However the first song heralding Christ's birth is a brief snippet of angelic praise found in the daily text. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." This angelic host had specifically come down from heaven to offer this praise concert in the presence of the shepherds and immediately returned to heaven when it was completed.
This angelic praise indeed expresses the essence of the message of Christ's birth. Our Lord's coming surely brought glory to the Father and expressed God's good will toward men. My, does this old world need peace! Wars and rumors of war abound. Conflict continues to rage in many places from homes to international relations.
Of all the possible meanings for peace, I believe fundamentally the peace the angels referred to is the same as the apostle Paul later wrote about in Romans 5:1. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Or as expressed by Charles Wesley, "God and sinners reconciled!"
As we sing our songs of praise and thanksgiving to God this season let us thoughtfully rejoice in the true meaning of Christmas as we experience God's peace and good will in our lives and homes!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Brooksyne prayer: Glory to God In the Highest! The Latin expression the angels echoed from the heavens, "Gloria in excelsis deo" is also the refrain from our hearts this Christmas. Although more than 2,000 years has passed since that glorious announcement was hailed to the shepherds in the fields, we continue to sing its refrain in our celebration of Your wondrous birth. May we never cease to be in awe and wonder of Your coming to earth to become the Son of Man so that we could become sons of God!
Brooksyne reading the Christmas letter Streaming audio mp3
"My First Christmas in heaven" A poem in memory of my Mom.
Brooksyne reading this poem Streaming audio mp3
Christmas memories from Daily Encouragement Net readers
A Christmas test for personal growth and family gatherings. A link to the test key is found at the end of this test!
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. Used by permission; and the King James Version.
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