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December 13
“Hark The Herald Angels Sing” – Written by Charles Wesley
Hark the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
“Christ is born in Bethlehem”
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Christ by highest heav’n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin’s womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris’n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”
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Today’s Devotion
Several years ago, Alexis and I attended a church in Denver where the pastor preached a four-week Advent series based entirely on “Hark The Herald Angels Sing”. Indeed, I can think of few other Christmas hymns that are so richly endowed with the fundamental theology of our faith, and I first of all encourage you to go back and read the lyrics to this song closely, if for no other reason than to marvel at the robust truth of its words.
The third verse of this song has always struck me as particularly poignant, especially the lines, “Born that man no more may die / Born to raise the sons of earth / Born to give the second birth.”
There is such profound purpose in the birth of Jesus. Through the common, everyday action of a new life entering the world, the vision and mission of God’s redemption plan invaded the land of darkness and decay.
Jesus knew there was deep, spiritual purpose in birth. That’s why he used it as one of his primary metaphors to describe salvation. In his conversation with Nicodemus in John 3, Jesus debated with him on the meaning of a new birth by the Spirit. Jesus stated in v. 3:6-7, “Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.”
And this is the purpose of Jesus life – to “give them second birth” as “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” describes.
In Jesus’ sinless birth, conceived of the Holy Spirit, he created the blueprint for the spiritual rebirth of all people. Just in the same way that Jesus was born into this world free of the shackles of sin, we too are invited to be reborn fresh, clean, and unchained.
Although we typically think about Easter as the culmination of Jesus’ gift of forgiveness, it is at Christmas where Jesus, even as newborn baby, began undoing the enslavement of darkness in our world, by creating a new model of life for us: to be born free.
Spiritual Exercise For Today
Spend some time contemplating the idea of being reborn. What does that mean, or look like, to you? In Jesus, we all have an opportunity for a new start, for life lived in the Spirit. When you think about the magnitude of such a fresh beginning in Jesus – what does that speak to you?
Prayer
God,
As we move closer to Christmas Day, we thank you for the gift of your son and the salvation that he has brought to our lives. There is no hope apart from you, God, and your son has brought hope for us to live a new life that begins now and extends into eternity. Thank you for this gift, and we pray that you’ll teach us all the more what the gift of your son looks like in our lives. Amen
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Grab Your Own Copy Of Our Christmas Quiet Time Workbook
I created this book to be perfect for a Christmas gift or as a gift to yourself. A very special resource this Christmas season!
7 chapters based on 7 Bible verses and words of Christmas.
1. Matt. 2:10 – Joy
2. Luke 1:30 – Favor
3. John 11:27 – Believe
4. Isaiah 9:6b – Called
5. John 14:27 – Peace
6. Isaiah 7:14 – Hope
7. Psalm 95:2 – Praise
Each chapter has a Scripture coloring sheet, a devotion based on the Scripture, and two worksheets to process and apply the material!
Grab your copy, either digital or printed, and enjoy a creative and meaningful Quiet Time with the Lord!
