Had too much deja vu in 2020? … “I heard the bells on Christmas Day, their old familiar carols play" There may be a lot of confusion and chaos that seems old and familiar this year. And yet, Christmas invites us to remember again that "wild and sweet" we need their (Christmas hymns and songs) words to repeat that "peace on earth, goodwill to men" continues to come.
Final Advent Homily Video | Jesus Comes to Bring Wild Courage + Sharp Clarity to Our Confusion
Homily Scriptures | Matthew 14:22-33
Homily Quote |
I never gave thought to whether these Christmas carols were about something that really happened. It wasn't that I believed they were false; the question never occurred to me one way or the other. I knew nothing about Jesus, and didn't go to church. I had neither the content of faith nor the practice of it, but the music formed a little space in my soul, like a cup waiting to be filled, that by its very shape suggested something was meant to go there.
+ Holly Ordway, Not God's Type
"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," 1863 A.D. | Story + Song Video
Call to Worship | Isaiah 42:1-2, 5
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, and the flame will not burn you. ... Do not fear, for I am with you."
Poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1863 A.D.
New Melody by Audrey Assad, 2019 A.D.
I heard the bells on Christmas Day,
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, peace on earth, goodwill to men!
I thought how as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
New Melody by Audrey Assad, 2019 A.D.
I heard the bells on Christmas Day,
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, peace on earth, goodwill to men!
I thought how as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, peace on earth, goodwill to men!
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, peace on earth, goodwill to men!
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep!
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, peace on earth, goodwill to men!
Cantique de Noël (Song of Assurance)
Placide Cappeau, 1847 A.D.
Revised paraphrase by James Brumm, 1994 A.D.
O holy night! the Christian’s solemn hour
when God, incarnate, came down from above
to cleanse our sin, for only Christ had power
to rescue us from justice through His love.
The whole world trembles with hope of countless ages;
On this great night a Savior comes to us.
Kneel down in prayer! Await your liberation!
Noel! Noel! Your Redeemer is here!
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, peace on earth, goodwill to men!
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep!
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, peace on earth, goodwill to men!
Cantique de Noël (Song of Assurance)
Placide Cappeau, 1847 A.D.
Revised paraphrase by James Brumm, 1994 A.D.
O holy night! the Christian’s solemn hour
when God, incarnate, came down from above
to cleanse our sin, for only Christ had power
to rescue us from justice through His love.
The whole world trembles with hope of countless ages;
On this great night a Savior comes to us.
Kneel down in prayer! Await your liberation!
Noel! Noel! Your Redeemer is here!
Noel! Noel! Your Redeemer is here!
It is by faith our Creator's Light guides us
To the crib where the infant-God lay,
Just as a star led Eastern mystics riding
In ancient days, out of lands far away.
The King of kings was born among the cattle.
O earthly leaders, filled with your own deeds,
God calls to us, confronts our self-importance,
Bow down your heads before our Savior true.
It is by faith our Creator's Light guides us
To the crib where the infant-God lay,
Just as a star led Eastern mystics riding
In ancient days, out of lands far away.
The King of kings was born among the cattle.
O earthly leaders, filled with your own deeds,
God calls to us, confronts our self-importance,
Bow down your heads before our Savior true.
Bow down your heads before our Savior true.
See the Messiah who has opened our prisons;
In earth and heaven alike freedom reigns.
He has declared the slave a whole person
And love unites us who were in chains!
How can we thank Him who gives a gift so glorious
(His life and suffering death all for our sakes)?
Stand up in praise! Rejoice in your deliverance!
Noel! Noel! Sing of God Immanuel!
Noel! Noel! Sing of God Immanuel!
Tremble
Mosaic MSC, 2017 A.D.
Peace, bring it all to peace,
The storm surrounding me,
Let it break at Your name.
Still, call the sea to still,
The rage in me to still,
Every wave at Your name.
Jesus, Jesus, You make the darkness tremble.
Jesus, Jesus, You silence fear.
Jesus, Jesus, You make the darkness tremble. Jesus, Jesus.
Breathe, call these bones to live,
Call these lungs to sing
Once again, I will praise ... (Chorus 2x)
Your name is a light that the shadows can't deny!
Your name cannot be overcome!
Your name is alive forever lifted high!
Your name cannot be overcome! (Chorus)
Your Peace Will Make Us One
Audrey Assad & Urban Doxology, 2019 A.D.
Based on “My Eyes Have Seen the Glory” by Lee Greenwood, 1862 A.D.
Mine eyes have seen the glory
Of the coming of the Lord.
You are speaking Truth to power,
You are laying down our swords,
Replanting every vineyard
'Til a brand new wine is poured.
Your peace will make us one.
I've seen You in our home fires
Burning with a quiet light.
You are mothering and feeding
In the wee hours of the night.
Your gentle love is patient,
You will never fade or tire.
Your peace will make us one.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
See the Messiah who has opened our prisons;
In earth and heaven alike freedom reigns.
He has declared the slave a whole person
And love unites us who were in chains!
How can we thank Him who gives a gift so glorious
(His life and suffering death all for our sakes)?
Stand up in praise! Rejoice in your deliverance!
Noel! Noel! Sing of God Immanuel!
Noel! Noel! Sing of God Immanuel!
Tremble
Mosaic MSC, 2017 A.D.
Peace, bring it all to peace,
The storm surrounding me,
Let it break at Your name.
Still, call the sea to still,
The rage in me to still,
Every wave at Your name.
Jesus, Jesus, You make the darkness tremble.
Jesus, Jesus, You silence fear.
Jesus, Jesus, You make the darkness tremble. Jesus, Jesus.
Breathe, call these bones to live,
Call these lungs to sing
Once again, I will praise ... (Chorus 2x)
Your name is a light that the shadows can't deny!
Your name cannot be overcome!
Your name is alive forever lifted high!
Your name cannot be overcome! (Chorus)
Your Peace Will Make Us One
Audrey Assad & Urban Doxology, 2019 A.D.
Based on “My Eyes Have Seen the Glory” by Lee Greenwood, 1862 A.D.
Mine eyes have seen the glory
Of the coming of the Lord.
You are speaking Truth to power,
You are laying down our swords,
Replanting every vineyard
'Til a brand new wine is poured.
Your peace will make us one.
I've seen You in our home fires
Burning with a quiet light.
You are mothering and feeding
In the wee hours of the night.
Your gentle love is patient,
You will never fade or tire.
Your peace will make us one.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Your peace will make us one!
In the beauty of the lilies,
You were born across the sea
With a glory in Your bosom
That is still transfiguring,
Dismantling our empires
'Til each one of us is free.
Your peace will make us one!
(Chorus)
Benediction based on 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
Your peace will make us one!
In the beauty of the lilies,
You were born across the sea
With a glory in Your bosom
That is still transfiguring,
Dismantling our empires
'Til each one of us is free.
Your peace will make us one!
(Chorus)
Benediction based on 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
To connect with us, please contact info@emmauscitychurch.com
More helpful links for Advent
+ Advent: Immanuel, God with Us, Has Always Been His Plan for Us
+ Advent 2020 Is Near & Needed | The Coming Day of the Lord Before, Now, and Again
+ The Magnificat: The Bold & Courageous First Advent Hymn
+ Advent 2020 Is Near & Needed | Sunday Compline (i.e. Bring to Completion) Services to Remember the Light in the Darkness
Christ is all,
Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan
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