I had already been in line for about thirty minutes and I was only about halfway to the counter. My rental car needed to be exchanged because the original had a flat tire.
Tag: Christmas Carol Theology
Christmas Carol Theology: Hope and New Life
We haven’t purchased a live Christmas tree in years; I have nothing against it, we just have a pre-lit fake tree that makes life a little easier (please don’t judge). I do miss the smell of a fresh tree, but we try to compensate for that with a variety of fir-scented items.
Christmas Carol Theology: He Has Power to Save You
Mighty means powerful and yet, paradoxically, the “mighty God” came to earth as a child. In truth, His power came from what He would become.
Christmas Carol Theology: A Trusted Counselor and Guide
In my chosen profession, having a mentor is essential. The complexities of the field require observing, spending time with, and getting feedback and advice from someone who has gone before.
Christmas Carol Theology: New Mornings
Legend has it that on Christmas Eve 1871, in the midst of fierce fighting between the armies of Germany and France, during the Franco-Prussian War, a French soldier suddenly jumped out of hole and began singing “Cantique de Noel”, the French version of the Christmas Carol, “O Holy Night”.
Christmas Carol Theology: Sharing the Good News
Christ came for everyone–this is the message of the carol “Joy to the World”. Because of the fall of Adam and Eve, our physical bodies die and our spirits are separated from God through sin. When Christ came to earth, the blessings of resurrection and forgiveness were made to flow, removing the curses of spiritual and physical death that came from the fall of Adam and Eve.
Christmas Carol Theology: The Living God
“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”, was written as a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow during the American Civil War. In verse three, the poet despaired:
And in despair I bowed my head:
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”
While circumstances differ, many of us likewise have such feelings today. Simply watching the news can cause anxiety and sadness and it is easy to forget there is a larger force in the universe that knows us individually.
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.
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