Christmas Carol Theology: Fitting Us for Heaven

The focus of Christmas is most often the infant Christ who carried the promise to change the world as a man. That change absolutely occurred; however, the most important change He came to offer was individual–one person at a time. In the third verse of “Away in a Manger” this message is clear:

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

The plea to Him is a request to help us change. Help us become who God sent to earth to become–more like Him.

Christmas Carol Theology: Bought with a Price

I can’t pick a favorite Christmas hymn, but this one is definitely in the top three. Our hymn book does not include verse 6 of the First Noel, but to me it is the most powerful and profound:

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
That hath made Heaven and earth of nought
And with his blood mankind has bought.

We have all been bought with a price.