December 2009

Check out this instructional video for “O, Come All Ye Faithful” from Chris Tomlin’s Christmas album, Glory In The Highest.

His infinite condescension marvelously appeared in the manner of his birth. He was brought forth in a stable because there was no room for them in the inn. The inn was taken up by others, that were looked upon as persons of greater account. The blessed Virgin, being poor and despised, was turned or shut out. Though she was in such necessitous circumstances, yet those that counted themselves her betters would not give place to her. Therefore, in the time of her travail, she was forced to betake herself to a stable, and when the child was born, it was wrapped in swaddling-clothes, and laid in a manger. There Christ lay a little infant, and there he eminently appeared as a lamb. But yet this feeble infant, born thus in a stable, and laid in a manger, was born to conquer and triumph over Satan, that roaring lion. He came to subdue the mighty powers of darkness, and make a show of them openly: so to restore peace on earth, to manifest God’s goodwill towards men, and to bring glory to God in the highest. According[ly] the end of his birth was declared by the joyful songs of the glorious hosts of angels, who appeared to the shepherds at the same time that the infant lay in the manger, whereby his divine dignity was manifested.

Excerpt taken from Jonathan Edward’s sermon “The Excellency of Christ”
Jonathon Edwards (1703-1758)

The excellency of Christ appears in what Christ did in taking on him our nature. In this act, his infinite condescension wonderfully appeared, that he who was God should become man, that the word should be made flesh, and should take on him a nature infinitely below his original nature! And it appears yet more remarkably in the low circumstances of his incarnation: he was conceived in the womb of a poor young woman, whose poverty appeared in this, when she came to offer sacrifices of her purification, she brought what was allowed of in the law only in case of poverty, as Luke 2:24, “According to what is said in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.” This was allowed only in case the person was so poor that she was not able to offer a lamb. Lev. 12:8.

And though his infinite condescension thus appeared in the manner of his incarnation, yet his divine dignity also appeared in it. For though he was conceived in the womb of a poor virgin, yet he was conceived there by the power of the Holy Ghost. And his divine dignity also appeared in the holiness of his conception and birth. Though he was conceived in the womb of one of the corrupt race of mankind, yet he was conceived and born without sin, as the angel said to the blessed Virgin, Luke 1:35, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee, therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God.”

Excerpt taken from Jonathan Edward’s sermon “The Excellency of Christ”
Jonathon Edwards (1703-1758)

It seems that life is one big conquest to find joy.  From our earliest years the world encourages us to do what makes us happy.  However, few find joy.  Even the most intelligent, rich, famous people have died with emptiness and lack of joy.  Gould, the American millionaire, had plenty of money. When dying, he said: “I suppose I am the most miserable man on earth.”  Alexander the Great conquered the known world in his day. Having done so, he wept in his tent, before he said, “There are no more worlds to conquer.”  Extensive power, money, and pleasures are void of the lasting and permanent joy that Jesus Christ offers.  In John 15 (NIV), Jesus uses the vine and branch to describe the importance of remaining in him.  Then, He explains that if we obey Him and remain in His love, our joy will be made complete.  There is a constant grabbing for our attention.  The dark and devious acts of Satan seek to steal our joy in Christ through frustration, loneliness, and lack of trust.  However, when we cry out to the Lord, remain in Him, and fight for joy- He promises to deliver.

May your JOY be renewed this Christmas season!