O, Jesus, Word made flesh to dwell among us, How can I thank Thee for Thy Gift? What way Can I in human frailty find to praise Thee best, Who came the price for my dread sin to pay? Thou wert despised, rejected for Thine Own, A man of sorrows from Thy day of birth. […]
*This article was originally published in the December 1964 issue. The Church of our Lord Jesus Christ rejoices that her Head and Redeemer was born as a babe in Bethlehem almost two thousand years ago. On December 25? In the year 1 A.D.? It seems that neither the month nor the year is correct. The […]
*This article was originally published in the December 1961 issue. At no other time of the year does the behavior of the American people as closely approach insanity as at Christmas. One glance at a red-colored date, five sixths of the way through the December calendar, and an entire nation lurches into incredible activity. Like […]
Christ was born on Christmas Day He came to live on earth Because it was the Father’s Will, He bore a lowly birth. There was no room within the Inn To make the Babe a bed. This Little One, who now is King Was born within a cattle shed. Although He bore a lowly birth, […]
Christmas is one of the most celebrated times of the year in the Christian world today. Church and world alike participate in its majestic celebration. Beginning a month before the date of celebration, the songs of Christmas begin to fill the air. The postman staggers under the ponderous burden of gift packages and greeting cards. […]
One night on the hills of Judea As shepherds watched over their sheep, A messenger came from Jehovah While round them the world was asleep. Jesus is born! Was the message he brought: He whom God’s people Through ages had sought. The shepherds, exceedingly frightened, Were comforted now with these words, And hastened to […]
I think other writers have clearly stated, much better than I, what the Christian should have as a guide to the celebration of Christmas. I refer to Dirk Westra’s article of last year, “How Should We Celebrate Christmas?” and Michael Bosveld’s contribution to the Christmas issue of Beacon Lights in 1989/1990. I admire the way […]
Are you for or against Christmas? While this may appear to be an unusual question, there are two divergent spirits among us that may provide some basis for asking it. Some people go “all out” in this celebration of Christmas, while others claim that we make too big a deal out of it, and that […]
The Christmas story is the best Bible story I ever heard. When people tell me that story I feel good and sad. The dark years before Christmas made me feel sad. I think the best part of the story is when Jesus is born. He was the light after all that darkness. I will […]
How do I, a minister of the Gospel, having my roots in the Reformation (in particular the Reformation under John Calvin) prepare my congregation for the celebration of Christmas? At first I felt that such a question placed me in somewhat an awkward position; especially considering that John Calvin among other prominent Reformers encouraged a […]