Worship Devotional V
Originally posted to the Facebook group on 12/20/2019.
Weekly Worship Devotional
Greetings everyone, and Merry Christmas! This week as we prepare for the holidays—likely with stress over gifts, food, and family gatherings—let's also take the opportunity to not just remember that we celebrate the birth of Jesus, but to find rest, hope, comfort, and peace in His faithfulness, His goodness, and His love. For many of us, the holiday season can be very difficult due to the loss of loved ones. Let us remember the words of Psalm 62:8:
"Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge."
This week we are singing well-known Christmas hymns. Let us again remember to think about the words we are singing, and take some time to reflect on their meaning. Here are the songs:
1) Silent Night
This famous carol was written by Joseph Mohr and composed by Franz Xaver Gruber in the early 1800s. The song captures the stillness and quietness of that night, even though the most important birth in history was taking place. As the lyrics remind us of the things that took place—a Child being born of a virgin, the angels visiting the shepherds, and the appearance of the star—they also call us to praise the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
2) O Holy Night
This song came a little later in the mid-1800s, written originally by Placide Cappeau, composed by Adolphe Charles Adam, and translated soon after by John Sullivan Dwight. Verse and chorus 1 are about how the birth of Jesus on that holy (consecrated or set apart for God) night brought hope to a weary and broken world; verse and chorus 2 are about how His light leads us to consider the meaning of His birth just as the light of the star led the wise men, and how He can relate to our weakness because He was born with human flesh; and verse and chorus 3 are about the love and peace He taught to His followers—along with His power to break chains and set free those who are oppressed—and His kingship which brings true and everlasting freedom. Through a powerful melody we ascribe power and glory to Christ our Lord.
3) O Come All Ye Faithful
Written by John Francis Wade in the 1700s, this Christmas song invites all those who have faith in Jesus to come with joy and adoration to sing praise to His name. The two chorus's at the end of the song transition from singing to each other to singing to God, declaring that He alone is worthy of praise and the we will give Him all the glory.
4) Joy To The World
Lastly, we have a very well-known hymn that was written by Isaac Watts in the early 1700s. Watts is one of the most famous and prolific hymn writers over the centuries. He was actually a contemporary song writer in his day, but today His songs are known to us as classic hymns. Joy To The World is actually based on Psalm 98—which speaks of the Lord coming to the world and being received with joy—from a New Testament perspective. This song was not originally meant to be a Christmas carol, but rather is about Jesus' second coming in the future. We sing this song during the Christmas season, however, to remind us that the Lord who fulfilled His word and to us before will come to us again, bringing ultimate salvation and restoration. As we look back and remember His birth, we are reminded now to look ahead to His ultimate reign, which will be fully established when He comes again.
Here are some Scriptures to meditate on:
Isaiah 7:13-14, 9:1-7, 60:1-6, & 61
Micah 5:2-4
Psalm 96 & 98
Matthew 1:18-24 & 2:1-12
Luke 1 & 2:1-40
May the Lord grant each of us grace and peace as we go through another Christmas season. Keep seeking Him and trusting Him through the difficult times, and remember He is our Refuge.