Here is a beautiful Christmas prayer from Robert Louis Stevenson:
A Christmas Prayer
O God, our loving Father,
help us rightly to remember
the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in
the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and the worship of the wise men.
May Christmas morning
make us happy
to be Thy children
and Christmas evening
bring us to our beds
with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven,
for Jesus’ sake,
If you are looking for some Advent reading this December, let me suggest my new book on the names of Jesus from Isaiah 9:6. You can check it out on Amazon here: Name above All Names (Isaiah 9:6)
This book works well as devotional reading in preparation for Christmas. It would also make a great Christmas gift for the reader on your list. I hope you enjoy it!
The prophet Isaiah spoke of a child who would be born a ruler and king. How would people recognize this baby when he was born? Isaiah identifies him for us by his names: “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
There is only one child in history who fulfills the meaning of all these names. We celebrate his birth each year at Christmas, and his name is Jesus. Come join the wonder of the Advent season as we study the meaning behind these four names together.
Bonus Material: Selected commentary, poems and songs on Isaiah 9:6 through the ages.
Note: This book is part of the Understanding God’s Word series. Each book in the series is adapted from actual sermons preached in the local church. These books are part commentary, part exposition, but mostly offer a clear explanation of the text, showing how it relates to other Scripture and to our lives today. They are ideal resources for teachers preparing lessons, for pastors preparing messages and for personal Bible study.
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Currently available (click on the book images to view on Amazon):
The next book in the Understanding God’s Word series comes out next week. It’s a Christmas book on the names of Jesus in Isaiah 9:6 (Wonderful Counselor; Mighty God; Everlasting Father; Prince of Peace).
I am looking for a group of people who would be interested in reading the book and possibly leaving a review on Amazon when it is released. It’s a short book (only five chapters), and an easy read. I have a limited number of advance copies available.
If you are interested in being a part of this group, just let me know and I will send you a link where you can download your free copy. Thanks for your support! (You can email me at ray@pccflorida.org)
P.S. Feel free to share this post with anyone you know who may be interested in participating.
I’m excited to announce a new series of books that will be appearing over the next months. Understanding God’s Word is a new series of books exploring various books and topics in the Bible. Each book in the series is adapted from actual sermons preached in the local church. These books are part commentary, part exposition, but mostly offer a clear explanation of the text, showing how it relates to other Scripture and to our lives today.
This style of preaching is modeled after Nehemiah 8 where the Levites under Ezra “read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read” (Neh. 8:8). These books are ideal resources for teachers preparing lessons, for pastors preparing messages and for personal Bible study.
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Currently available (click on the book images to view on Amazon):
Upcoming in 2024:
Biblical Foundations
Famous Mothers in the Bible (Vol. 1)
Lord, Make My Life Count
Life of Samuel
Real Answers about Heaven
Here is a wonderful poem and theological reflection by William Leighton (1841–1869) on the incarnation of Jesus as the infinite God-man at Christmas.
“Great Son of God, but born the son of man”
Great Son of God, but born the son of man,
One subject of a double substance framed:
Wherein nor manhood lost, nor godhead won
But of them both at once one Christ was named.
Before all times begot, in time created,
The Lord of Lords, a servant form retaining,
And yet no former form thereby abated:
In servant’s form, the form of God remaining.
Great Son of God, than whom there is no greater
No not the Father in His great divinity,
As God creator and as man a creature:
(For more and less, agree not in infinity.)
Teach me to know how man by God assumed
Is both, and yet not man by God consumed.
William Leighton (1841–1869) was a Scottish poet who died of typhoid fever when he was twenty-eight years old. His family moved to England when he was seven years old. He began writing poetry at a young age and was an active member of several literary societies. A number of his poems were published in local literary papers while he was still living, and several collections of his poems were published in the 1870’s following his death. A complete edition of The Poems of William Leighton was published in 1890. (Source: Dictionary of National Biography/Wikisourse)
Here are the links to all five messages in the Five Candles at Christmas series exploring the various themes of Christmas represented by the five candles of the Advent Wreath. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and may God bless you richly in the New Year.
Sunday was the first message from the Five Candles at Christmas series exploring the various themes of Christmas represented by the five candles of the Advent Wreath. The message was called The Advent Candle of Hope, taken from Matthew 1:22-23. Here is a brief outline of the message:
I. Hope in Christ gets you through the waiting
– Genesis 2:16,17, 3:15, 12:2-3; Isaiah 7:14
II. Hope in Christ helps you go the distance
– Numbers 24:17; Isaiah 60:3; Matthew 2:1-2, 28:19; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
III. Hope in Christ does not disappoint
– Matthew 1:22-23; Luke 2:5-7, 25-32, 36-38; Romans 5:5, 8:23-25, 10:11
Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.
Here’s the link to this year’s Christmas Eve message, Love Came Down, a very simple message taken from 1 John 4:7-10. Here is a brief outline of the message:
I. Love comes from God (verses 7-8)
II. Love came down to earth (verse 9)
III. Love came down to the cross (verse 10)
Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.
And here is a great Christina Rossetti poem by the same name:
“Love Came Down at Christmas” – Christina Rossetti
Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine,
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and Angels gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead,
Love Incarnate, Love Divine,
Worship we our Jesus,
But wherewith for sacred sign?
Love shall be our token,
Love shall be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign.
I discovered a new (old) Christmas carol this year! This is a medieval Dutch carol, based on a translation by Klaas Hart (1906-1973). The words dig deep into the mystery and miracle of Christmas. Merry Christmas, and enjoy!
Come and Stand Amazed, You People
Come and stand amazed, you people,
See how God is reconciled!
See his plans of love accomplished,
See his gift, this newborn child.
See the Mighty, weak and tender,
See the Word who now is mute.
See the Sovereign without splendor,
See the Fullness destitute;
The Beloved whom, we covet,
In a state of low repute.
See how humankind received him;
See him wrapped in swaddling bands,
Who as Lord of all creation
Rules the wind by his commands.
See him lying in a manger
Without sign of reasoning;
Word of God to flesh surrendered,
He is wisdom’s crown, our King.
See how tender our Defender
At whose birth the angels sing.
O Lord Jesus, God incarnate,
Who assumed this humble form,
Counsel me and let my wishes
To your perfect will conform.
Light of life, dispel my darkness,
Let your frailty strengthen me;
Let your meekness give me boldness,
Let your burden set me free;
Let your sadness give me gladness,
Let your death be life for me.
And here are some modern renderings of the carol on YouTube:
Come and Stand Amazed – Eternity Focus (Video length: 3:48)
Come and Stand Amazed – Citizens (cover) (Video length: 2:28)
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