Sunday, December 12, 2010

O Holy Night explored

Well, I’m back here on the Think Creative Ministries blog. This time, we’ll leave the theater thoughts and Drama Ministry tips alone. As we begin to think about and prepare for the Holiday season this year, let’s take a look at how the Christmas Carols and Hymns we know by heart and sing almost without thinking truly do have deep theological meaning. Christmas is more than simply celebrating the birth of a baby. It’s about recognizing why He came and what He would do while He was here on this earth. Jesus left the Manger and headed straight for the Cross. Along the way he taught us what love was and how to follow God and please the Father. Then, He laid his life down so that we too could know the life giving power of his gift of love and salvation and the indwelling of His Holy Spirit.
The Lord has laid this Christmas Carol on my heart this year and I want to share with you some of the deeper meanings of this great hymn.

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining, (God makes it obviously clear)

It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth. (The long awaited Messiah has come)

Long lay the world in sin and error pining. (We are helplessly stuck in sin)

Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth. (But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.)

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, (Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,)

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. (The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.)

Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices! (How often do fall on our knees in the light of the glory of the Lord?)

O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, (And we know that faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of we do not see)

With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand. (I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.)

O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming, (The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!)

Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land. (Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

The King of kings lay thus lowly manger; (rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.)

In all our trials born to be our friends. (I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.)

He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger, (For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet without sin)

Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend! (The fear of the Lord is the beginning f wisdom)

Truly He taught us to love one another, (A new command I give you. Love one another as I have Loved you)

His law is love and His gospel is peace. (For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh,)

Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother. (Christ came to destroy the workings of the devil)

And in his name all oppression shall cease. (There is power in calling on the name of Jesus. All things in heaven and earth and below the earth bow and submit to the name of Jesus)

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we, (Sing to the Lord for He is Good, His love endures forever.)

His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim! (Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, Rejoice.)

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