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The Word became flesh and made his dwelling with us (John 1:14). Drum roll, building, getting louder music, beginning quietly in the bass register, but rising, crescendoing sudden spectacular, full-throated chord, the entire symphony cranked all the way up, tutti fortissimo! Cue the choir, angelic and earthly! Wait that's it? That's all? A baby? Yeah, babies are cute a...
Keep ReadingSilent night, holy night/All is calm, all is bright 'Round yon virgin Mother and Child/Holy infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace/Sleep in heavenly peace It has been easy for me to slip into a new sleeping pattern this year. In college I scheduled my classes in such a way that I could use the wee hours of the night for studying, because I found it hard to co...
Keep Reading"In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:4-5) "Son of God, oh, love's pure light" ("Silent Night") Driving back from Durham last week, I was momentarily and agonizingly blinded by the brilliance and intensity of the nearly-setting sun. That blinding brilliance made me thi...
Keep ReadingIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1). In Him was life, and that life was the light of men (John 1:4). The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world (John 1:9). Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace (Silent Night) Abba, I come to be settled down. ...
Keep Reading"Silent Night" and John 1:1-18 If you had to pick "the best" of all the Christmas carols, "Silent Night" would certainly be at or near the top of the list. This weekChristmas is this Friday! we wrap up The Weary World Rejoices sermon series by listening to this beloved carol and "the Christmas story according to John," found in the first eighteen verses of this fourth an...
Keep Reading"Let Let Let Let " ("Joy to the World") What is our hope as followers of Jesus? I don't mean what is my hope for my life, for my future. That's an important question, just not the one asked here. As Christ-followers, as we look upon the entire burdened world and its long and wearying history, what are we hoping for? We hope, we look forward to, we anticipate, we await...
Keep ReadingHe comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found (Joy to the World) Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And t...
Keep Reading"Now the dwelling of God is with men" (Rev. 21:3). "No more let sins and sorrows flow,/Nor thorns infest the ground./ He comes to make His blessings known/Far as the curse is found." ("Joy to the World," Isaac Watts, 1719) Jesus was born to die. As Christians, haven't we frequently heard that from a well-meaning parent or pastor? Their intention is clear: to guard us ...
Keep ReadingAnd I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away"(Revelation 21:3,4). ...
Keep ReadingHe comes to make His blessing flow/Far as the curse is found ("Joy to the World") No longer will there be any curse (Revelation 22:3). For nearly a century, the Boston Red Sox supposedly lived under a curse. Having won the World Series in 1918, the Sox owners made a diabolical deal to trade Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees in 1919. Ruth, nicknamed the "Bambino," alleged...
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