Monday morning I read Zachariah's song found in Luke 1. His song ends with these two verses. There is one phrase, one word that can not escape me: Dayspring (the first appearance of daylight in the morning; the beginning or rise of anything; advent). God has given Jesus to us as our Dayspring, this is an accurate and appropriate name for Him. For He is the first and only appearance of light in our darkness that can deliver hope, mercy, grace and truth. Through Him there is a rising from the shadow of death, and with it a new beginning. He is our only guide into the path of peace.
I have to say, if there is a Christmas name for Jesus that I favor, it would have to be Dayspring. I pray that these two verses may never escape you, and be a reminder that in your darkest hour Jesus is your Dayspring! May you celebrate Jesus every day. Merry Christmas.
Today's post come from the talented and musically genius Gungor Band. This song tells the best part of the Christmas story. I pray it inspires you today to rejoice and be the bearer of glad tidings!
Christmas story time.
Whether its playing on TV/ being read in a classroom/ played as a skit/ or shared to a church body, the Christmas story is being told. What sweet glory this time of year is, when even heathens declare the birth of our King. How tragic though to leave the story half way told. The birth of a King and the gifts He received wasn't the end of it all. He grew, He lived, He died and He rose from the dead victorious. And because He lives, those who believe in Him, live as well.
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“ODeath, whereisyour sting?
"O Hades, whereisyour victory?”
The sting of deathissin, and the strength of sinisthe law. But thanksbeto God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 55-58
-
I challenge you, tell the complete Christmas story to all the people around you. The end of the story is the best part, for the end of the Christmas story includes your name and mine,
"...and [your name here] too has risen from the dead and will life forever and ever with Jesus."
When Death Dies,Gungor Band
Like the waters flooding the desert Like the sunrise showing all things
Where it comes flowers grow Lions sleep, gravestones roll Where death dies all things live Where it comes poor men feast Kings fall down to their knees When death dies all things live All things live
Like a woman searching and finding love Like an ocean buried and bursting forth
Where it comes flowers grow Lions sleep, gravestones roll Where death dies all things come alive Where it comes water’s clean Children fed All believe When death dies all things live All things live
It truly is the most wonderful time of the year. I have to confess that I haven't been jolly... more Scrooge-like. I didn't want to put up the Christmas tree, I wasn't able to collect my unemployement check (that meant no gifts) and to make matters worse, the "ancient of days" in the family didn't want to celebrate BIG like we usually do. But God- placed it in my brother's heart to set up the Christmas tree and all I had to do was decorate, God provided just enough money to get me through the basic gift giving (I love giving gifts) and He gathered a good chunk of my family tonight for our Christmas Eve dinner. Jesus came through for me and rescued Christmas! Ok, so yea, this is of no importance when compared to the magnitude of what happened in the town of Bethlehem. To me, it is inconceivable that God would become a baby, a human to rescue me. Happy Birthday Jesus! Thank you for being my wonderful Savior.
Today is Lyrical Friday and Oh come, oh come Emmanuel is the song I will share with you. This is probably the only Christmas song that I really enjoy. It is more than a song, it is a prayer. May the cry of your heart be "Come Emmanuel."
(you may want to mute the music player on the side bar)
Lyrics below to follow the video
Oh come, Oh come Emmanuel
*This version is by Selah
Oh come, Oh come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice, Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, Oh Israel!
Oh come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Thy people with Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight
Rejoice, Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, Oh Israel!
Oh come, Thou rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'ver the grave
Rejoice, Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, Oh Israel!
Rejoice, Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, Oh Israel!
