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2020-02-26 to 28 Pictures: Charleston, South Carolina

One of the few upsides of having to cancel our Spring Break trip last March at the onset of the pandemic is that we are "stuck" with a rather large voucher from one of those discount airlines. Last autumn, Tricia and I spent a weekend in Savannah, Georgia and had a...

A John 3:16 Craft for Kids

John 3:16 is one of the most well known and reassuring verses in the Bible. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.John 3:16 (NIV) The following is a little craft I threw...

2020-03-01 Pictures: Lyndsey’s College Signing Day

This afternoon Lyndsey made it official, signing her letter of intent to play college basketball for the Hiram College Terriers starting next year. While she made the decision and committed to Hiram before Christmas, she has been looking forward to this day since her...

2020-02-13 Pictures: Lyndsey’s 18th Birthday

I am little behind on posting photos. These are some of my favorites from a couple of weekends ago when we got a chance to celebrate Lyndsey's 18th birthday. It's hard to believe that my little girl is officially an adult. It was nice to have the family all back...

What is DOCTRINE?

Introduction I love working with kids, and I love teaching them hard concepts in ways they can understand. To that end, for years I have been working on a dictionary of theological terms for kids and teens. In sharing those definitions, there seemed no better place to...

If You Want It Done Right

In all likelihood, you know how the phrase ends: If you want it done right, DO IT YOURSELF! This is a bit of a mantra for me, and frankly, something that I struggle with daily both in leadership and in my Christian walk.  In theory, this is easy to accept. ...

What Does God Hate?

This is the little and humble post that started it all. I happened to be reading through my Bible, and this passage impacted me so much that I posted a little blurb about it on Facebook. That was July 28, 2008, and I've been writing and sharing ever since. (Maybe...

December 21 – Mary’s Boy Child (A Christmas Carol Advent)

4 MORE DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!

Video

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ4FK1uXm_U

History

Mary’s Boy Child was written by Jester Hairston in 1956 and recorded by Harry Belafonte that same year.

Commentary & Analysis

This one is a little more offbeat as Christmas songs go, but I love the very first line in that it reminds us of our source of all truth when it comes to Christmas.  No matter what society tries to change the holiday into, not matter what fallacies have come to be accepted because of their inclusion in Christmas songs, no matter how many stories are written are about Santa Claus and his elves, the only real source of information on Christmas is the Bible – “..so the Holy Bible say.”

This song presents Christmas in its simplest terms, a baby (Jesus) was born in a manger in Bethlehem to Mary and Joseph on Christmas Day.  Through his life, and death, we are reconciled to God, conquer death and live forever in his presence.  The angels announced the coming of this eternal King to lowly shepherds.

Questions for further Reflection / Devotion

The following questions are meant for your reflection and or devotion.  Feel free to meditate on them, discuss them with your family or others or post your responses here.  I would love to hear from you.

  1. This song reminds us that the Baby Jesus was born in a manger because there was no room for him in the inn.  Do you leave room in your heart for Jesus?
  2. What is your view of the Bible?  Do you only read and accept those parts which you find easy to accept, or do you believe that it is all true and inspired by God?
  3. How important is the inerrancy of scripture to your faith?
  4. This song proclaims that man will live forevermore because of Christmas day.  Do you believe this?  Was there another way for God to save mankind which would not have involved Jesus taking on human form and dying on the cross for our sins?  If so, why did he choose this option?  If not, why not?
  5. This Christmas season, spend some time meditating on the saving work of Jesus Christ.

Lyrics

Long time ago in Bethlehem, so the Holy Bible say,
Mary’s boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day.

Hark, now hear the angels sing, a new king born today,
And man will live forevermore, because of Christmas Day.

While shepherds watch their flocks by night, then see a bright new shining star,
then hear a choir sing a song, the music seemed to come from afar.

Now Joseph and his wife, Mary, come to Bethlehem that night,
and find no place to bear her child, not a single room was in sight.

Hark, now hear the angels sing, a new king born today,
And man will live forevermore, because of Christmas Day.

By and by they found a little nook in a stable all forlorn,
and in a manger cold and dark, Mary’s little boy was born.

Hark, now hear the angels sing, a new king born today,
And man will live forevermore, because of Christmas Day.

Return to a Christmas Carol Advent index page.

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1 Comment

  1. Slamdunk

    Wonderful song and message–thanks for posting.