advent: favorite song of 2009

Wanted to share with you all my favorite "new" Christmas song for 2009. Below are the lyrics and a link to listen to the whole song online.






Wake Up The World by JJ Heller

Shepherds come to worship
Angels sing Gloria
Wake up the world, the King has come

Oh let heaven, heaven and nature sing
Oh let heaven, heaven and nature sing
Oh let heaven, heaven and nature sing
Wake up the world, Wake up the world,
Wake up the world, the king has come

Joseph smiles at Mary
The baby falls asleep
Wake up the world, the king has come

Oh let heaven, heaven and nature sing
Oh let heaven, heaven and nature sing
Oh let heaven, heaven and nature sing
Wake up the world, Wake up the world,
Wake up the world, the king has come

Son of God
Love’s Pure light
Wake up the world, the king has come

Wake Up The World - JJ Heller

advent: o holy night

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
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,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
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,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

— by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem "Minuit, chrétiens" (Midnight, Christians) by Placide Cappeau (1808–1877), a wine merchant and poet, who had been asked by a parish priest to write a Christmas poem.

advent: god's light

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

"Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel."

And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." — Luke 2:25-35 (ESV)

This was our final Advent devotional reading. We remembered that God is not finished with his plan for us and the world. He desires that everyone would love and obey him. Just as Jesus was a light and blessing to those around him, we are to be a light and blessing to others. This will not be easy. It will be costly, but worth it. Very worth it.

Now we celebrate the light of the world, and pray that God would teach us to be a light just like Jesus!

advent: our gifts

After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. — Matthew 2:9-11 (ESV)

This was our fourth reading for Advent devotions as a family. We had a good time placing our Little People Nativity pieces by each candle we had lit so far. An angel for OT prophecy and "God's Promise." Mary for "Our Choice." Shepherds for "God With Us." And finally the wise men for this week "Our Gifts."

We reflected on how God has blessed us so much, and he loves when we give back to him. The kids brainstormed what we can give God, obedience, giving to those in need, our time, etc. We also thought about these verses:

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. — Psalm 51:17 (ESV)

All these things my hand has made,and so all these things came to be,declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spiritand trembles at my word. — Isaiah 66:2 (ESV)

We remembered that God's favorite gifts are when we ask for help and admit we are wrong and need help.

advent: the friendly beasts

Jesus our brother kind and good
Was humbly born in a stable of wood
And the friendly beasts around him stood
Jesus our brother kind and good

"I" said the donkey shaggy and brown
I carried his mother up hill and down
I carried him safely to Bethlehem town
"I" said the donkey shaggy and brown

And "I" said the cow all white and red
I gave him my manger for a bed
I gave him my hay for to pillow his head
"I" said the cow all white and red

"I" said the sheep with a curly horn
I have him my wool for his blanket warm
And he wore my coat on that Christmas morn
"I" said the sheep with a curly horn

"I" said the dove from the rafters high
Cooed him to sleep that he should not cry
We cooed him to sleep my love and I
"I" said the dove from the rafters high

And "I" said the camel all yellow and black
Over the desert upon my back
I brought him a gift in the wise men's pack
"I" said the camel all yellow and black

Thus every beast remembering it well
In the stable dark was so proud to tell
Of the gifts that they gave Emmanuel
The gifts that they gave Emmanuel

— This song originally hails from a 12th century Latin song "Orientis Partibus" which first appeared in France and is usually attributed to Pierre de Corbeil, Bishop of Sens (d 1222). Robert Davis (1881-1950) apparently wrote the words that we normally associate with this tune in the 1920s.

Listen to this song done by Sufjan Stevens:

The Friendly Beasts - Sufjan S...

advent: god with us

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." — Luke 2:8-12 (ESV)

This was our third reading for our Family Advent Devotionals. We reflected on the "baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." Thinking about how God came to be with us and went through growing up just like we do. We were with two other families. So we talked about Jesus being a baby like Eli, 2 like Caleb, 4 like Ashlyn and her friend Maria, 6 like our friend Ella, 9 like our friend Jack, 11 like our friend Connor, and 14 like our friend Jenny. Each kid shared what they like about being their age and we imagined Jesus like that. We talked about playing, toys, church, friends, puberty, and hormones.

How good it is to know Jesus wanted to be with us so much he was willing to go through everything we do! He can sympathize with our weaknesses and challenges, but showed us a better way to live!

advent: incarnation poster

Get the FULL size poster on the Incarnation.

advent: a simple "Yes!"

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?"

And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy— the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God." And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

— Luke 1:26-38 (ESV)

Our second reading for Advent. This time we read it with friends who we are sharing the next three Sundays of Advent with.

It is particularly special to reflect on how we each have a choice, like Mary, to respond to God's plan and Savior. Mary could not have possibly known all that saying "Yes!" would entail. She was, however, convinced of God's worthiness to do with her life what he pleased. This is certainly one of the reasons Mary has been so revered by Christian tradition.

I encourage you to reflect on when you first said "Yes!" to Jesus. Do you remember your fears? Your questions? Your assurance of God's goodness?

Or, consider saying "Yes!" to Jesus and his plan for the first time. It's okay to be unsure. It's okay to have questions. Are you convinced of your need, his worthiness and ability to meet your need?

advent: it's a birthday

Come on, ring those bells
Light the Christmas tree
Jesus is the king
Born for you and me.
Come on, ring those bells
Every-body say
Jesus, we remember
This your birthday.

— Evie Tornquist, "Come On Ring Those Bells"

I like this song because it teaches exactly what I want my kids to say Christmas is about. It frames the decorations, fanfare, and magic perfectly.

advent: our present festival

“This is our present festival. This is what we are celebrating today — the coming of God to man…so that we might return to God…

”So let us keep the feast, not like a heathen festival, but in a godly way — not in the way of the world, but in a way above the world — not as if it were ours, but as it belongs to him who is ours, our Master’s — not as of weakness, but as of healing — not as of creation, but of re-creation.”

— Gregory of Nazianzus, Oration 38, on the birthday of Jesus, AD 380.

advent: come, o long-expected jesus

Come, O long-expected Jesus,
Born to set your people free;
From our fears and sins release us
By your death on Calvary.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope to all the earth impart,
dear desire of ev'ry nation,
Joy of ev'ry longing heart.

Born your people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a king;
Born to reign in us forever,
Now your gracious kingdom bring.
By your own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By your all-sufficient merit
Raise us to your glorious throne.

— Charles Wesley, "Come, O Long-Expected Jesus"

advent: light of lights

Light of lights! All gloom dispelling,
Thou didst come to make thy dwelling
Here within our world of sight.
Lord, in pity and in power,
Thou didst in our darkest hour
Rend the clouds and show thy light.
Praise to thee in earth and heaven
Now and evermore be given,
Christ, who art our sun and shield.
Lord, for us thy life thou gavest,
Those who trust in thee thou savest,
All thy mercy stands revealed.

— St. Thomas Aquinas

advent: what is advent?

Came across this great article by Noel Piper on what Advent is all about:

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We are a people of promise. For centuries, God prepared people for the coming of his Son, our only hope for life. At Christmas we celebrate the fulfillment of the promises God made—that he would give a way to draw near to him.

Advent is what we call the season leading up to Christmas. It begins four Sundays before December 25, sometimes in the last weekend of November, sometimes on the first Sunday in December. This year it was Novemeber 29.

1 Peter 1:10-12 is a clear description of what we look back to during Advent.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. (1 Peter 1:10-12 )

For four weeks, it's as if we're re-enacting, remembering the thousands of years God's people were anticipating and longing for the coming of God's salvation, for Jesus. That's what advent means—coming. Even God's men who foretold the grace that was to come didn't know "what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating." They were waiting, but they didn't know what God's salvation would look like.

In fact, God revealed to them that they were not the ones who would see the sufferings and glory of God's Christ:

They were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.

They were serving us. We Christians on this side of Jesus' birth are a God-blessed, happy people because we know God's plan. The ancient waiting is over. We have the greatest reason to celebrate.

advent: do you know his name

The man declares, I am weary, O God;
I am weary, O God, and worn out.
Surely I am too stupid to be a man.
I have not the understanding of a man.
I have not learned wisdom,
nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.
Who has ascended to heaven and come down?
Who has gathered the wind in his fists?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and what is his son’s name?
Surely you know!
— Proverbs 30:1-4 (ESV)

I love Agur's oracle. It seems a prayer fit for my life right now, and for Christmas.

When looking honestly at his life Agur has deep questions about being a man, knowing God, and how to live. On the surface these questions are haunting to anyone. Without the hope of the incarnation (the Son of God born a man) we must distract ourselves from these questions to fake some kind of existence.

How good it is to know, by name and experience, the god-man who can answers these deep questions of the soul. He answers them not with just words, but with the power of his life lived, his death died, and the vindication of his ressurection.

So I ask you, who recognize these questions in your soul, do you know his name?

advent: for to us a child is born

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shined...
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

— Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 (ESV)


These were our verses for the first Sunday of Advent. While Christmas is far off (even though we get to celebrate with the Paterson clan in two weeks) these verses about looking forward to the promise of Jesus' birthday were perfect. It was especially fun to think about the gift of a child while a 2 and a half month old joined us!

advent: little lamb

Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Gave thee life, and bid thee feed,
By the stream and o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing, woolly, bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice?
Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?

Little Lamb, I'll tell thee, 

Little Lamb, I'll tell thee. 

He is called by thy name,
For He calls Himself a Lamb.
He is meek, and He is mild;
He became a little child.
I a child, and thou a lamb,
We are called by His name.
Little Lamb, God bless thee!
Little Lamb, God bless thee!

— William Blake, "The Lamb"

A good poem to begin reflections on the meaning of Christmas.