Some churches do not sing the last verse of O come all ye faithful, before Christmas Day, because it states, “Yea Lord we greet this, born this happy morning”. Several days ago I heard the complete hymn sung but the final verse used the words, “Yea Lord we greet this, born that happy morning”. A lovely compromise?
I suppose we have all heard reasons why Jesus was not born on December 25 and the words of some carols use poetic licence, but as a Christian friend once said, “So what! Let us make the most of the day”.
We probably all have different reactions to seeing a newborn baby for the first time. Imagine the responses of Joseph and Mary, the shepherds, and other observers. For me, the wonder of the birth of Jesus, born to be the Saviour, is summed up in a hymn that includes the words, “God contracted to a span, incomprehensibly made man.”
The word “Today” is worth looking for in the Bible especially when it relates to our Lord. I repeat my favourite, Luke 2 verse 11, “Today, in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord”. Jesus, in the temple, proclaimed, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4 verse 31 and another of my favourites is when Jesus said following his house call to Zaccheus, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19 verses 9 and 10.
Over the past few days, we have probably heard some of the Old Testament prophecies that were fulfilled when Jesus came to earth and they must surely encourage us to look forward to others that are yet to be implemented, possibly in our time!
Sadly, this period, for too many, will not be filled with the happiness and enjoyment that will be experienced by others, but may the Christ of Christmas be sensed and appreciated.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, in anticipation of tomorrow, may we be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the Magi, and the peace of the Christ child. AMEN
(By an unknown author and adapted).