Month: December 2012

Hymn for Advent: “Jesus shall reign where’er the sun” (YouTube)

“Jesus shall reign where’er the sun”
Isaac Watts (1719)

sunrise churchJesus shall reign where’er the sun does its successive journeys run, his kingdom stretch from shore to shore, till moons shall wax and wane no more.

To him shall endless prayer be made, and endless praises crown his head. His name like sweet perfume shall rise with every morning sacrifice.

People and realms of every tongue dwell on his love with sweetest song,
and infant voices shall proclaim their early blessings on his name.

Let every creature rise and bring honor and glory to our King,
angels descend with songs again, and earth repeat the loud amen.

Morning Reading: Psalm Ps 72:1-2, 3-4ab, 7-8, 17

Psalm Ps 72:1-2, 3-4ab, 7-8, 17

baby jesusO God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king’s son; He shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment.

The mountains shall yield peace for the people, and the hills justice. He shall defend the afflicted among the people, save the children of the poor.

Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more. May he rule from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.

May his name be blessed forever; as long as the sun his name shall remain. In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed; all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.

Zephaniah 3.17 – “He will rejoice over you with joyful songs” (YouTube)

Zephaniah 3:17 NLT

“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

When the night is falling Click on pic for link to MP3.
When the night is falling
Click on pic for link to MP3.
When the night is falling, when the day is done – I can hear you calling, Come – I will come while you sing over me

When the night surrounds me, all my dreams undone – I can hear you calling, Come – I will come while you sing over me

When the night would hide my way – I will listen until I hear you say

How I love you child I love you… How I love you

When the night surrounds me, all my dreams undone – I can hear you calling, Come – I will come while you sing over me

When the night would hide my way – I will listen until I hear you say

How I love you child I love you… How I love you

Hallelujah, Hallelujah….

When this life is over, and the race is run – I will hear you calling, Come – I will come while you sing over me

Advent Hymn: “O little town of Bethlehem!” (YouTube)

Manger Square in Bethlehem

“O little town of Bethlehem!”
Phillips Brooks (1868)

O little town of Bethlehem! How still we see thee lie; Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by; Yet in thy dark streets shineth, The everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary, And gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love. O morning stars, together Proclaim the holy birth! And praises sing to God our King And peace to men on earth.

How silently, how silently, The wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming, But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive Him still, The dear Christ enters in.

Please read this last verse written by Brooks, and make it your prayer today:

O holy Child of Bethlehem! Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in, Be born in us to-day. We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell; Oh come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel!

Amen.

Morning Reading: Isaiah 12.1-6 NLT


Third Sunday of Advent

In that day you will sing:

“I will praise you, O Lord! You were angry with me, but not any more. Now you comfort me. See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.”

With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation!

In that wonderful day you will sing:

“Thank the Lord! Praise his name! Tell the nations what he has done. Let them know how mighty he is! Sing to the Lord, for he has done wonderful things. Make known his praise around the world. Let all the people of Jerusalem shout his praise with joy! For great is the Holy One of Israel who lives among you.”