Discipline Begins with Delight
Read: Psalm 139 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! (v. 17) Last Easter a college student in our congregation received baptism. Before going under the waters, she shared her story. Not being raised in a Christian home and with only a vague understanding of the church, she somehow found herself at a Christian […]
What Just Happened?
Read: John 1:1-18 The Word became flesh. (v. 14) Yesterday, the world celebrated Christmas. From church services and Bible readings, to presents and special foods, to connecting with other believers and with friends and family—regardless of our physical location or life station, Christmas Day is different from other days. The world seems to pause for celebration […]
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Read: John 1:1-14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (v. 14) We have Charles Wesley to thank for one of our greatest Christmas carols. The song begins with and returns to the song […]
Silent Night
Read: 1 Timothy 3:14-16 Great . . . we confess, is the mystery of godliness. (v. 16) Of all the Christmas carols ever written, this is one of the best-loved. In the Austrian village of Oberndorf, the assistant priest, Joseph Mohr, had written a beautiful little carol for the Christmas Eve service in 1818. In it, he envisioned the […]
The Holly and the Ivy
Read: Luke 2:22-35 And a sword will pierce through your own soul also. (v. 35) When Joseph and Mary brought Jesus into the temple to fulfill the requirements of the Law, old Simeon was waiting for them. Spirit-directed and Spirit-inspired, Simeon prophesied over the infant. But it was a mixed and somber message. Simeon expressed joy […]
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Read: Titus 2:11-15 . . . the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. (v. 13) This Christmas hymn was originally written in Latin (Adeste Fideles) by an English musician named John F. Wade, who was living in France because of his Roman Catholic faith. It was translated into English by an Anglican priest, […]
God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
Read: Philippians 4:4-7 The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything. (vv. 5-6) To understand the message of this jaunty old English carol, the most important thing to do is to observe the comma in the title. It’s not “God rest you, merry gentlemen.” It’s “God rest you merry, gentlemen.” The gentlemen—and gentle […]
Good Christian Friends, Rejoice
Read: 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? (v. 55) Here is a joyful invitation to celebrate the good news of the Christmas gospel. “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” is another of the many hymns we owe to the linguistic and poetic gifts of John Mason Neale, a scholarly Anglican […]
Why I Read Through the Bible Every Year
Are you thinking about reading through the Bible this year? Words of Hope’s reading plan, Read the Bible in a Year, is a daily devotional that will take you through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Order your copy through Amazon, sign up for our free daily email, or download the Words of Hope app […]