Christ Was Born for This!

Child in the Manger

December 19th 2010 - Fourth Sunday of Advent

"When God Comes"

Annunciation Sunday

COLOR:  Purple   CANDLE:  The Candle of Love
This candle we light today symbolizes God's love for His world, expressed
in His gift of His only Son to be our Savior.

Lectionary Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent 

Isaiah 7:10-16     Psalm 80:1-7:17-19 
Romans 1:1-7  Matthew 1:18-25 

Christmas Hymn of the Day - "Good Christian, Men, Rejoice!"
Based on Isaiah 49:13

"Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O Earth!  And break out in singing, O, Mountains!  For the Lord has comforted His people, and will have mercy on His afflicted."

Good Christian, men, rejoice with heart and soul and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say: "Jesus Christ is born today:" 
Ox and ass before Him bow, and He is in the manger now. 
Christ is born today!  Christ is born today!

Good Christian men, rejoice with heart and soul and voice:
Now ye hear of endless bliss: Jesus Christ was born for this!
He hath oped the heavenly door, and man is blessed forever more,
Christ was born for this!  Christ was born for this!

Good Christian, men, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice:
Now ye need not fear the grave; Jesus Christ was born to save~
Calls you one and calls you all to gain His everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save."

Meditation
"Christ Was born for This!"

This is a joyous carol, paraphrasing a 14th century carol by John Mason Neale.  It serves as a reminder to us that Christmas should be the most joyous season of the year for Christians.  Our lives should be filled with gratitude to God for the measureless love He shows to us in the gift of His only Son,  Jesus Christ.  Out of hearts full of gratitude and joy we should be exuberant in "heart and soul and voice!"  Often in writing repetition is used for emphasis, and that is certainly the case with this hymn!  Neale means for us to be impressed by the "endless bliss" won for us by the birth of Christ who opens the way to heaven and conquers our fear of death through His assurance of eternal life with the Father. 

The  hymn is fascinating to people who love words and love to study them!  It blends 14th Century Latin phrases with everyday ordinary German expressions.  The original Latin title is In Dulci Jubilo which means "in sweet shouting".  Over the years German people added their own words making this a carol that combines two or more languages.  The English translation we are familiar with is rather liberal and first appeared in print in 1853 in "Neale's  Carols for Christmastide".   

In the repetitive phrases that we find in this wonderful hymn, we hear over and over that "Christ was born for this!"   He was born to bring us salvation from our sins and to remove forever our fear of death and the grave.  

One of the most important lessons we can learn as we mature in the Christian faith is to rejoice no matter in what circumstances we may find ourselves.  Paul says in his writings, "I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content."    How we long for such a faith that brings this kind of contentment!!  I confess that this is one of my own "growing edges".  A few years back when I was very very gravely ill and confined to home,   I discovered that I am "NOT" so content in all the "states" in which I find myself.  I am impatient, and I often have no joy in being "in the moment" so to speak.  

So much tells me that just the opposite should be the way of life for Christians, and our task is to move ever closer to Him and to follow His teachings so closely that we approach even the frightening things in our lives with joyful anticipation and gladness of heart. It is when we are able to trust God to bring blessings into our lives, even in the midnight hours, that are able to find this state of joyful contentment and being to understand Romans 8:28 which tells us, "All things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose."  

The festive spirit of Christmas should not wane as the holiday comes closer, is celebrated and passes for another year.  The joy and peace that Christ brings to our lives should enable us to be continually rejoicing Christians, regardless of our circumstances.  The blessing that came to us on Christmas morning in Bethlehem have illuminated our pathways and our lives forevermore!!!

Prayer -  Dear Jesus, we thank you that you came to earth for us . . . to save us from our sins and from ourselves, and to show us how to live more victoriously, with joy and with gladness of heart.  We confess that we often fail to find contentment in whatever circumstances life throws at us, and we pray that You would lead us from our adoration at the manger to a more abundant life every other day of the year.  We would praise You and rejoice always and know the "endless bliss" the hymnwriter speaks of to us.  Amen ~

Activity - Take a walk today and listen for the songs of "Jubilate" in the birds of the air and in all of the earth's creatures.  Join with them in your own song of rejoicing!!!

"A Christian's practical theology is often found in his hymnody."   Unknown