The words for “Joy to the World! The Lord is Come” were written by Isaac Watts and later arranged by Lowell Mason to music by Handel. Although this was originally meant to commemorate Jesus’ second return, it’s become a beloved Christmas song. 1 Joy to the world! The Lord is…

“The First Nowell” is a traditional English carol. I love the announcement, Born is the King of Israel! (For simplicity’s sake, I’ve changed “nowell” to “noel.”) 1 The first Noel the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; in fields where they lay keeping…

“O Little Town of Bethlehem” by Phillips Brooks, music by Lewis H. Redner, seems to be a standard for children’s choirs. I love it’s noble simplicity and profound truths. O holy Child, descend to us, we pray. 1 O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie; above…

“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent,” from the Liturgy of St. James and translated by Gerard Moultrie, might be unfamiliar to some of you. I think it’s truly beautiful. My favorite line: “he will give to all the faithful his own self…” 1 Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and…

“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus,” by Charles Wesley, is short but so powerful. God keeps His promises! He sent Jesus, and He will send Him again! 1. Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in…

At first glance, this verse seems rather insignificant when compared to others like John 3:16 or the 23rd Psalm. But the more I looked at it, the more “meat” I found. Note some of these important words: For God is MY King… “My” indicates a personal relationship. A king’s first…

I cannot imagine the emotional agony Jesus endured those last days before He was sent to the cross. He knew what the glorious result would be, but He also knew how much He would suffer. Who wouldn’t want to avoid the pain and humiliation of a public crucifixion? Yet His…

All of us like accolades, am I right? Who doesn’t want a pat on the back for a job well done, a bonus for going over and above at work, a trophy for coming in first? We like our “prizes.” But there is no prize on earth that will compare…

“By and By” by Fanny Crosby—oh, the promise of heaven with Him! (Feel free to listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhD4jTgHpSI) 1. We shall all clasp hands in glory by and by; We shall tell redemption’s story by and by; When the voyage of life is past We shall reach the…

Jesus fully understood His purpose, and He realized that His death meant opening the door to salvation for millions who would come to receive Him as Savior and Lord. If He’d refused that cross, we would still be stumbling in darkness, striving for a perfection none of us could reach.…