Case in Point

At dinner the other night, my four year old asked me how old God was.  I, of course, launched into a theological discussion about the eternality of God and preexistence of Christ.  Upon further reflection though, I realize why Nathan was really asking.  We had spent the last weekend at a birthday party for my best friend who just turned 40.  I’m not far behind.  It turns out that Nathan wasn’t interested in the eternality of God so much as he was interested in figuring out who was older – God or Me.  Like I said, you gotta love kids!

Related posts:

1. 10 Things I Love About Being A Dad
2. When Love Came Down (December 16)

Related posts:

1. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2012-01-08 to 2012-01-14
2. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2012-01-15 to 2012-01-21
3. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2012-01-01 to 2012-01-07

Related posts:

1. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2012-01-01 to 2012-01-07
2. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2012-01-08 to 2012-01-14
3. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2011-09-18 to 2011-09-24

@pastorjaredm Check your inbox. Not sure it's 1st grade ready, but it might help. in reply to pastorjaredm 12:51:07, 2012-01-12

@pastorjaredm Not in a 140 characters. in reply to pastorjaredm 12:02:02, 2012-01-12

Related posts:

1. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2012-01-01 to 2012-01-07
2. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2011-02-13 to 2011-02-19
3. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2011-05-29 to 2011-06-04

Related posts:

1. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2011-09-18 to 2011-09-24
2. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2011-01-09 to 2011-01-15
3. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2010-12-26 to 2011-01-01

@mattguevara no doubt! My family now has six people, 3 iPhones, 3 iPod touches and an iPad. My kids from age 4 to 18 all enjoy them. in reply to mattguevara 21:57:09, 2011-12-28

@pastorjaredm Which is a testament to how little I have been on Twitter recently. It's been "cleansing" like a colonic. in reply to pastorjaredm 14:37:21, 2011-12-28

@gregbaird Your work blesses us all. As for me, I'm glad I'm off until Tuesday. in reply to gregbaird 14:35:09, 2011-12-28

@pastorjaredm Not sure what that is but thanks…I think! #kidmin in reply to pastorjaredm 14:29:32, 2011-12-28

Related posts:

1. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2011-02-13 to 2011-02-19
2. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2011-12-25 to 2011-12-31
3. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2011-05-08 to 2011-05-14

@mattguevara no doubt! My family now has six people, 3 iPhones, 3 iPod touches and an iPad. My kids from age 4 to 18 all enjoy them. in reply to mattguevara 21:57:09, 2011-12-28

@pastorjaredm Which is a testament to how little I have been on Twitter recently. It's been "cleansing" like a colonic. in reply to pastorjaredm 14:37:21, 2011-12-28

@gregbaird Your work blesses us all. As for me, I'm glad I'm off until Tuesday. in reply to gregbaird 14:35:09, 2011-12-28

@pastorjaredm Not sure what that is but thanks…I think! #kidmin in reply to pastorjaredm 14:29:32, 2011-12-28

Related posts:

1. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2011-02-13 to 2011-02-19
2. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2011-12-25 to 2011-12-31
3. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2011-05-08 to 2011-05-14

To view the entire 2011 Christmas Carol Advent check out our Christmas Carol Advent index page.

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvM3Lp_BZeQ

Story Behind the Song

Written by Matthew West, this song was released on the 2011 album The Heart of Christmas.

Commentary & Analysis

If you love Christmas, then every year when it’s over you are likely to experience a little bit of a let down.  That is what this song is all about.  As Christians though, we need to remind ourselves that while the celebration of Jesus’ birth may be over, we should celebrate 365 days a year.  Just because the Christmas season has come and gone pales in comparison to the fact that Jesus is alive and that God lives with us each and every day.  We should celebrate that and focus on that.  So, in the words of Matthew West, “Happy day after Christmas, and Merry rest of the year.”  Make your year count for Jesus this year!

Questions for Further Reflection / Devotion

1. How will you make your year count for Jesus this year?
2. How will you keep joy in your life and the lives of your loved ones all year round?
3. Take some time today to celebrate and worship Christ with your family and loved ones.  Rejoice in the light of the world.  He will last so much longer than those Christmas lights that you need to take down!

Lyrics

Here comes the letdown Christmas is over
Here comes the meltdown, there goes the cheer
But before we have a breakdown, let us remember
The light of the world is still here

Happy day after Christmas
And merry rest of the year
Even when Christmas is over
The light of the world is still here
The light of the world

Come January I’m ready for summer
The Super Bowl’s over and I’ll settle for spring
Sometimes we all need a change in the weather
But it won’t change the reason we sing

Happy day after Christmas
And merry rest of the year
Even when Christmas is over
The light of the world is still here
The light of the world
The light of the world
The light of the world

So take down the stockings, take back the sweaters
Take down the lights and the star and the tree
But don’t let this world take your joy after Christmas
Take joy to the world and just sing

Happy day after Christmas
And merry rest of the year
Even when Christmas is over
The light of the world is still here
[x2]

The light of the world [x7]

Related posts:

1. December 1 – Christmas With A Capital "C" (A Christmas Carol Advent)
2. December 17 – Babe in The Straw (A Christmas Carol Advent)
3. December 22 – Come And Worship (A Christmas Carol Advent)

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyR0lwO-nXc

Story Behind the Song

This song was written and performed by Go Fish and appears on their Christmas album called Snow which was released in 2006.  We actually kicked off our Christmas Song Advent with a Go Fish song (Christmas With A Capital “C”) and it seems appropriate to end with this one which reminds us that Christmas may be about the birth of Christ, but in the end we must never lose sight of the cross!

Commentary & Analysis

This song isn’t as well known, but I couldn’t think of a better way to “finish off” this Christmas Carol Advent than with this song from Go Fish.  This song reminds us, on Christmas Day, that this holiday is actually quite secondary to the death and resurrection of Christ.  Over the last 25 days, we have looked at a number of songs celebrating the manger, the angels, the shepherds and the wise men.  Those are an integral part of Christmas celebration, but we should never lose sight of the cross of Christ where God paid the penalty for our sins so that we could be reconciled to him forever.  It’s about accepting him as our Lord and savior so that we can, through his death, be born again into the kingdom of God.  While we celebrate a babe born in the straw, we must remember the stone that was rolled away to find an empty tomb “so we can have real life someday.”  The second set of verses turns from the traditional, and biblical facets of Christmas, to remind us that the current trimmings (family, presents, snow, decorations and the feelings they all elicit), while nice are also not what Christmas is really about.  No matter how much we enjoy Christmas, and we should, we have to remember that it is only the beginning of Christ’s time on earth, and it was the end of his time here that gives us the opportunity at eternal life.

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. Why do you think we, as Christians, spend so much more time and money celebrating Christmas rather than Easter?
2. How can you spend time focusing of the cross this Christmas?
3. How can you balance the joys of family and all the trimmings (which are not bad things) with the Biblical purpose of Christmas?
4. Many families read the Christmas story ever Christmas morning or some time during the Christmas season.  What tradition can you start this year to shift some focus from Christmas Morning to the death, burial and resurrection of Christ?
5. “It’s about God’s love, Nailed to a tree, It’s about every drop of blood that flowed from Him when it should have been me.” I challenge you this Christmas – every time you look at the Christmas Tree in your house, remember the tree Jesus was nailed to and what he did for you and me!

Lyrics

It’s not just about the manger
Where the baby lay
It’s not all about the angels
Who sang for him that day

It’s not just about the shepherds
Or the bright and shining star
It’s not all about the wise men
Who travelled from afar

Chorus:
It’s about the cross
It’s about my sin
It’s about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we could be born again

It’s about the stone
That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday

It’s about the cross
It’s about the cross

Verse 2:

It’s not just about the presents
Underneath the tree
It’s not all about the feeling
That the season brings to me

It’s not just about coming home
To be with those you love
It’s not all about the beauty
In the snow I’m dreaming of

Repeat Chorus

Bridge:

The beginning of the story is wonderful and great
But it’s the ending that can save you and that’s why we celebrate

It’s about the cross
It’s about my sin
It’s about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we could be born again

It’s about God’s love
Nailed to a tree
It’s about every drop of blood that flowed from Him when it should have been me

It’s about the stone
That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday
So that you and I could have real life someday

It’s about the cross
It’s about the cross

Related posts:

1. December 25 – It’s About the Cross (A Christmas Carol Advent)
2. It’s Christmas Time (December 7)
3. Born to Die (December 21)

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1. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2011-12-04 to 2011-12-10
2. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2011-12-11 to 2011-12-17
3. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2011-11-27 to 2011-12-03

To view the entire 2011 Christmas Carol Advent check out our Christmas Carol Advent index page.

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZLNRThASR4

Story Behind the Song

Leaving Heaven was written by Matthew West.  Along with Vince Gill, Matthew recorded the song for 2011 album The Heart of Christmas.

Commentary & Analysis

I saved this song for Christmas Eve day because I think it captures the heart of what was about to happen just prior to the original Christmas night.  Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was walking in paradise with His Father and with the Holy Spirit as He always had in perfect communion.  But, that was going to change.  Based on a plan that existed before time, Jesus was about to leave the comfort and perfect relationship.  He was about the leave heaven.  Instead of street of gold, our savior walked the dirt laden streets of His creation.  In stead of perfect communion, he was born in a manger.  And, what should we make of all this?  Is a testament to God’s mercy, grace and love for us.

What answer should that prompt in us?  It should prompt us to accept that we are sinners, that Christ left heaven, was born in manager, grew up but never sinner, died on the cross in my place and rose again three days later.  It should lead us to place our love and faith in Him as Lord and Savior so that we can be reconciled with God.  When we do that, we too will one day walk the streets of gold in heaven in the presence of God.

Questions for Further Reflection / Devotion

1. Take a minute to reflect on all that Christ gave up to come to earth as a man.  What does that mean to you?  What does it say about his love for you?
2. The song reminds us that Jesus Christ laid down his life for us “like a truest friend.”  Indeed, the Bible tells us that the ultimate expression of love is laying down your life for another.  How often do you think about what Jesus did specifically for you in dying on that cross?
3. Do you define yourself by how much you are worth to God or by some other measure?  Why?

Lyrics

Well, it’s been real nice living way up here
In paradise, over the atmosphere
But I can’t stay long, gotta make my way
I’m leaving Heaven today

You see the world is dark and it needs a light
I’m gonna hang a star in the eastern sky
So everybody’s gonna know where I touch down
I’m leaving Heaven right now

I’m gonna walk around that broken Earth
Trading in these streets of gold
So if you ever wonder how much you’re worth
You should know
That you’re the reason why I’m leaving Heaven

Ain’t gonna be no kingdom, ain’t gonna be no crown
Just a little old manger, in a little old town
But it’ll do just fine for this humble King
I’m leaving Heaven let all the angels sing

I’m gonna walk around that broken Earth
Trading in these streets of gold
So if you ever wonder how much you’re worth
You should know
You’re the reason why I’m leaving Heaven

And when my time comes to an end
I’ll lay down my life like a truest friend
And when I get back home, I’m gonna make some room
So, don’t you worry, ‘cause I’m coming back for you

And you will say goodbye to that broken Earth
You’re gonna walk on streets of gold
And if you ever wonder what my love is worth
Well you should know
That I’m the reason you’ll be seeing Heaven
Oh, you’re the reason why I’m leaving Heaven
I’m leaving Heaven

Related posts:

1. December 19 – Mary’s Song (Breath of Heaven) (A Christmas Carol Advent)
2. Breath of Heaven [Mary’s Song] (December 8)
3. Christmas With A Capital “C” (December 1)

To view the entire 2011 Christmas Carol Advent check out our Christmas Carol Advent index page.

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Av7fPUem190

Story Behind the Song

This Third Day song originally appeared on their 2006 Christmas album titled Christmas Offerings.  It was written by Third Day front man Mac Powell.

Commentary & Analysis

This is an awesome song of praise this Christmastime.  It also reminds us of some fundamental truths about our Lord and Savior, and today is the perfect day to be reminded of these truths so that we can celebrate them as well:

• He had a humble birth not befitting of His royal status
• He cried.  He experienced all the things we do so that He can relate to us.
• He is our King.
• He chose to be given as a gift for us.
• He is the Son of God.
• All people should come and bow before the King.
• He died for our sins.
• He rose after three days.

Questions for Further Reflection / Devotion

1. Jesus, King of Everything, chose a very humble birth.  Why do you think that is?
2. What do you think the line “Baby Jesus, lying in a manger, crying for the world.” means?
3. Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man.  Do you think He knew from a young age what His purpose was and that He would eventually die on the cross?  If so, why?  If not, when do you think He knew that?

Lyrics

Baby Jesus, born in a stable, humble Savior’s birth.
You left your throne in Heaven above, to live here on the Earth.

Baby Jesus, lying in a manger, crying for the world.
The Angels told the Shepherds of the Good News for us all.

Halleluiah, the King is here, given for all men.
For today the Holy Son of God, is born in Bethlehem.

Come now Sinners and you Saints, all peasants and all Kings.
And bow before the Earth’s Redeemer, let all voices sing.

Halleluiah, the King is here, given for all men.
For today the Holy Son of God, is born in Bethlehem.

Halleluiah, the King is here, given for all men.
For today the Holy Son of God, is born in Bethlehem.

Baby Jesus, do you know you’ll die for all our sins?
Don’t be afraid, for in 3 days, you will rise again. Cause you will rise again.

Halleluiah, the King is here, given for all men.
For today the Holy Son of God, is born in Bethlehem.

Halleluiah, the King is here, given for all men.
For today the Holy Son of God, is born in Bethlehem.

For today the Holy Son of God, is born in Bethlehem.

Born in Bethlehem.

Related posts:

1. December 2 – O Little Town of Bethlehem (A Christmas Carol Advent)
2. Jesus Born on this Day (December 10)
3. Born to Die (December 21)

To view the entire 2011 Christmas Carol Advent check out our Christmas Carol Advent index page.

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CbWXf1Gw-w

Story Behind the Song

Manger Throne is a song performed by the Christian Band Third Day.  The song first appeared on the Christmas album titled City On a Hill: It’s Christmas Time released in 2002.

Commentary & Analysis

I love songs that really capture the condescension of Christ at Christmastime.  In this song, Mac Powell asks, with an appropriate level of reverence, “What kind of King would leave his throne in Heaven to make this earth his home?”  I think that sometimes, at Christmastime, we forget everything that God gave up to put on human skin, to come to earth, to be tempted in all ways like his creation, to be persecuted, to be falsely accused and to die on the cross to reconcile us to him.  This song asks the question, what kind of man would do that?  The answer is clear – no normal man would, but God did!  Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and whether he is sitting in the throne room of God or lying in a dirty manger, he is still king – thus the title of the song “Manger Throne.”  The song ends with a reminder that our heart is also the throne of God.

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. Take some time to meditate on all that God gave up for you.
2. Have you thanked God today for all he gave up to come to earth to save you?
3. What have you given up for God?  What do you feel him calling you to give up for him?
4. How is it that the original Christmas was marked by giving up so much and Christmas today is marked by such materialism?  What are you doing to make sure that your Christmas is not consumed by materialism?
5. Spend some time today in prayer.  Pray about how God would have you change the way you celebrate Christmas so that you can bring glory to his name.

Lyrics

What kind of King would leave His throne
In Heaven to make this earth His home?
While men seek fame and great renown
In loneliness our King comes down

Jesus, Jesus, precious One
How we thank You that You’ve come
Jesus, Jesus, precious One
A manger throne for God’s own Son

You left the sound of angels’ praise
To come for men with unkind ways
And by this Baby’s helplessness
The power of nations is laid to rest

What kind of King would come so small
From glory to a humble stall?
That dirty manger is my heart, too
I’ll make it a royal throne for You

My heart is a throne
My heart is a throne for God’s own Son

Related posts:

1. December 7 – Manger Throne (A Christmas Carol Advent)
2. December 3- Away In A Manger (A Christmas Carol Advent)
3. Christmas Offering (December 12)

To view the entire 2011 Christmas Carol Advent check out our Christmas Carol Advent index page.

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S5cQhx2nZA

Story Behind the Song

This Bebo Norman song appeared on the 2007 album Christmas… From the Realms of Glory.

Commentary & Analysis

This songs gets right to the heart of Christmas in my mind.  The birth of Jesus was, of course, a joyous event, and as Christians we are right to celebrate it.  But, Christmas isn’t just about a birth – it’s about a baby born to die.  When God came to earth as a man, it was not simply to experience being a baby, it was with an express purpose which had been laid out for Him before the creation of the universe.  He came to live a perfect life, die on a cross for your sins and mine and be raised again in three days to conquer sin and death.  He came to save us from our sin and pay the penalty which we deserved.  He came that, through faith in him, we may have eternal life.  This baby, born in a manger to a young woman and an adoptive father, came to change the world.  He came to die.  Thank you Jesus!!! As we celebrate your birth this year, let us not lose sight of your purpose as we know that you never lost sight.  Thank you for giving your life for mine.  Thank you for choosing to be a Baby born to die!

Questions for Further Reflection / Devotion

1. Who do believe the first verse in this song is talking about?
2. Why do you think God chose to be a baby born to die?
3. What does that say about what God thinks of you and how much he values you?
4. How will you remember the cross this Christmas season?

Lyrics

They never knew a dark night
always had the Son’s light
on their face
Perfect in glory
Broken by the story
of untold grace…
come that day

Majesty had come down
Glory had succumbed now
to flesh and bone
In the arms of a manger
In the hands of strangers
that could not know
Just who they hold

Chorus:
And the angels filled the sky
All of heaven wondered why
Why their King would choose to be
Be a baby born to die

And all fell silent
For the cry of an infant,
the voice of God
Was dividing history
For those with eyes to see,
the Son would shine
From earth that night

Chorus

Bridge:
To break the chains
Of guilt and sin
To find us here
To pull us in
So we can join in Heaven’s song
And with one voice around the throne

Chorus:
All the Angels filled the sky
And I can’t help but wonder why
Why this King would choose to be
Be a baby born for me
Be a baby born
Be a baby born to die

Related posts:

1. Jesus Born on this Day (December 10)
2. December 21 – Mary’s Boy Child (A Christmas Carol Advent)
3. Mary Did You Know? (December 3)

To view the entire 2011 Christmas Carol Advent check out our Christmas Carol Advent index page.

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rqhG2yT-58

Story Behind the Song

This song from Casting Crowns appeared on their 2008 Christmas Album Peace on Earth.

Commentary & Analysis

This song is a call to wake up and take note of what God is doing all around us.  Set against the backdrop of a quiet night in Bethlehem, we are left to wonder about all of the people (many of them likely weary travelers) who slept through the most amazing night in the history of mankind.  What did those people miss as they slumbered?  Our Lord and Kind, the Creator and Sustainer of everything, came to earth as a man that night as countless people slept and never even noticed.  While noble men were sleep in their comfortable beds, his presence was announced to lowly shepherds in a field.  Indeed, as this song reminds us, the town of Bethlehem (birthplace of our King) is best known as the town with no room for the coming Savior.  Flash forward to 30 some odd years later, in a town not so far away, Jesus (now a man) was tried and beaten and convicted while the city slept.  I love the next lines of this song as they describe way too many people in our world today:

The Father gave His only Son
The Way, the Truth, the Life had come
But there was no room for Him in the world He came to save

Have you made room for Him in your life?

Flash forward another 2,000 years to a nation which is the leader of the free world – a nation with a sense of pride in what it has become.  We are a nation which increasingly rejects Jesus Christ.  This song looks forward to day which is coming when our Lord and Savior will return, and all will be judged.  Are you ready for that day?  Will you be sleeping?

Questions for Further Reflection / Devotion

1. What do you think it would be like to have been one of the those people sleeping in Bethlehem when Jesus was born?
2. The Bible tells us that Jesus was rejected by His own people.  Why do you think that happened?  Do you still see that attitude today?
3. What are you doing internally to prepare yourself for Christ’s second coming?
4. What do you think the song means when it says we have been “sung to sleep by philosophies that save the trees and kill the children?”

Lyrics

Oh little town of Bethlehem
Looks like another silent night
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
A giant star lights up the sky
And while you’re lying in the dark
There shines an everlasting light
For the King has left His throne
And is sleeping in a manger tonight

Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
For God became a man
And stepped into your world today
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

Oh little town of Jerusalem
Looks like another silent night
The Father gave His only Son
The Way, the Truth, the Life had come
But there was no room for Him in the world He came to save

Jerusalem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
The Savior of the world is dying on your cross today
Jerusalem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we’re sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we’re lying in the dark
There’s a shout heard ‘cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night

America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
Will we be sleeping
Will we be sleeping

United States of America
Looks like another silent night

Related posts:

1. December 5 – Do You Hear What I Hear? (A Christmas Carol Advent)
2. December 21 – Mary’s Boy Child (A Christmas Carol Advent)
3. Labor of Love (December 4)

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCsud5X3A54

Story Behind the Song

This Baby is from Steven Curtis Chapman’s Christmas Is All In The Heart album released in 2003.

Commentary & Analysis

As opposed to yesterday’s song, Away in a Manger, this song starts with a more appropriate view of Jesus as a baby – “Well, He cried when He was hungry,Did all the things that babies do.”  Jesus was fully God and fully human, and despite the fact that the bible does not explicitly tell us about his infancy, it is likely that he cried, rocked, napped, wiggled, giggled and cooed as this song proclaims.  I particularly like the juxtaposition of his humanness (“seemed as natural as it could be”) and his nature as God that made the angels sing, made a new star and change the world.

The chorus of this song is a rundown of several of the attributes of Jesus.

• The angels announced his birth. (Luke 2:8-21)
• A new star shined at his birth. (Matthew 2:1-12)
• He came to change the world. (Luke 19:10)
• He was God’s Son.  (John 3:16)
• He was like no human who ever lived. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
• He was God with us. (Matthew 1:23)

In much the same way that the first verse dealt with the humanness of Jesus as a baby, the second verse deals with his humanness as an adolescent.  Like a normal boy, he had to learn to read and write.  He likely loved to spend time with his human dad Joseph.  He learned a trade.  He grew taller.  His body changed, and he went through the normal growth pattern.  The final line of the verse indicates “And all the neighbors said He’s such a fine boy” which is likely a reference to Luke 2:52:

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.  [Luke 2:52 ESV]

In the final verse, this songs looks at several of the things recorded in the Bible which Jesus did as a man including crying a death and revealing heaven in human form.

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. How do you reconcile in your own mind that Jesus was fully human and fully God?  What does it mean to you?
2. Why do you think God chose to come as a baby and live through adolescence and early adulthood before he began his ministry?
3. Mary knew that Jesus was the Son of God.  How do you think she must have felt raising the Son of God?
4. Do you find it easier to accept the fact that Jesus was fully human or fully God?
5. Take some time to talk to your family about what it means that God was fully human and experienced many of things they experience as kids and young adults.

Lyrics

Well, He cried when He was hungry,
Did all the things that babies do;
He rocked and He napped on His mother’s lap,
And He wiggled and giggled and cooed.
There were the cheers when He took His first step,
And the tears when He got His first teeth;
Almost everything about this little baby
Seemed as natural as it could be.

CHORUS

But this baby made the angels sing,
And this baby made a new star shine in the sky.
This baby had come to change the world.
This baby was God’s own son, this baby was like no other one.
This baby was God with us, this baby was Jesus.

And this baby grew into a young boy,
Who learned to read and write and wrestle with dad;
There was the climbin’ of trees and the scrapin’ of knees,
And all the fun that a boy’s born to have.
He grew taller and some things started changing,
Like His complexion and the sound of His voice;
There was work to be done as a carpenter’s son
And all the neighbors said He’s such a fine boy.

CHORUS

But this boy made the angels sing,
And this boy made a new star shine in the sky.
This boy had come to change the world.
This boy was God’s own son, this boy was like no other one.
This boy was God with us. This boy became a man,

And love made Him laugh and death made Him cry.
With the life that He lived and the death that He died,
He showed us heaven with His hands and His heart,
‘Cause this man was God’s own son.
This man was like no other one,
Holy and human right from the start.

CHORUS

This baby was God with us, this baby,
this baby was Jesus;
this baby was Jesus,
this baby was Jesus.

Related posts:

1. December 4 – This Baby (A Christmas Carol Advent)
2. December 9 – While Shepherds Watched (A Christmas Carol Advent)
3. A Christmas Hymn (December 5)

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T6lkhX7Nvw

Story Behind the Song

Written by Amy Grant, Brown Bannister and Bob Farrell. This song was first performed by Amy Grant and appeared on her 1983 Christmas album appropriately titled A Christmas Album.

Commentary & Analysis

It so happens that this is one of my personal favorites when it comes to Christmas music.

Heirlooms starts with some personal reflection on how we got here in the first place. To ignore our history, those who have come before us, is to ignore a piece of ourselves. Christmas is a great time to remember and reflect upon those who have paved the way in our families. Like all memories though, the song reminds us that this process will bring both laughter and tears. In the hustle and bustle of Christmas, it is critical that we take some time to remember what is really important, and the first couple verses remind us that family has to be near the top of that list.

So why only near the top of the list and not on the top of the list? The last two verses address what should always be at the top of our list – Jesus. Don’t let Jesus become an heirloom. Don’t allow His salvation to be some distant memory that you recall once a year or once every couple years. Jesus is our Lord and Savior. He is alive, and He will come back again. Every day, we must try to harness that same sense of awe, that same sense of relief, that same sense of adoration that we experienced at the moment of our salvation. This Christmas, pull Jesus down from the attic of your life and put him back in His rightful place as Lord and King.

Questions for Further Reflection / Devotion

1. What are some of your favorite Christmas memories?
2. Do you have any Christmas traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation?
3. Pull out an old photo album and spend some time telling your kids about your own family history?
4. Do you remember what it felt like the moment Christ saved you? Do you still feel that same love for Jesus and passion for others to know Him?
5. How can you make Jesus more than an Heirloom to you?

Lyrics

Up in the attic
Down on my knees
Lifetimes of boxes
Timeless to me
Letters and photographs
Yellowed with years
Some bringing laughter
Some bringing tears

Time never changes
The memories, the faces of loved ones, who bring to me
All that I come from
And all that I live for
And all that I’m going to be
My precious family
Is more than an heirloom to me

Wiseman and shepherds
Down on their knees
Bringing their treasures
To lay at his feet
Who was this wonder baby yet king
Living and dying
He gave life to me

Time never changes
The memory, the moment His love first pierced through me
Telling all that I come from
And all that I live for
And all that I’m going to be
My precious savior
Is more than an heirloom to me

My precious Jesus Is more than an heirloom to me

Related posts:

1. It’s Christmas Time (December 7)
2. When Love Came Down (December 16)
3. Jesus Born on this Day (December 10)

Related posts:

1. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2011-12-04 to 2011-12-10
2. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2011-11-27 to 2011-12-03
3. Wayne’s Weekly Twitter Digest – 2011-01-02 to 2011-01-08

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=490gjameQIc

Story Behind

Babe in the Straw is performed by the Christian group Caedmon’s Call.  This song first appeared on the Christmas album titled City On a Hill: It’s Christmas Time released in 2002.

Commentary & Analysis

This song is written from the perspective of someone observing a fragile, innocent, little baby lying in a manger and wondering how that baby could really be the Son of God sent to change the world.  This is a struggle felt ‘round the world by billions of people over the last 2,000 years as they look upon Jesus and wonder, “could it really be?”

The first verse asks, “Have you come to redeem us?”  Has this little baby, asleep in manager, really been sent by God to redeem his people?  It seems so unlikely, but in the currency of God who works through the unimaginable, there was really nothing to be surprised by.  The second verse answers the question posed in the first verse.  This is the “Prince of the Universe” that the prophets of old had spoken of who would come to save God’s people.  The third verse is more of a prayer recognizing that we will lose our way and asking Christ to always guide us back to him.  In our lives, when we start to wonder, we should ask God to draw us back to Bethlehem, draw us back to the cross, draw us to the empty tomb – Draw us to Jesus!  The Bible assures us that if we draw near to him, he will draw near to us. (James 4:8)

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. Take a minute to ponder what your reaction might have been had you been told that a little baby lying in a manager would be the Savior of the World.  Do you think it would have been all that different than the one presented in this song?
2. This song speaks both of God’s mercy and his grace.  God’s mercy is not giving us what we do deserve, and God’s grace is giving us what we don’t deserve.  List out some examples of both God’s mercy and grace on a sheet of paper.
3. Gather your family this Christmas season and discuss your testimony.  How did you come to Christ?  How has your life changed?  Prior to your conversation did you ever “look at Jesus” and wonder, could it really be true?  What convinced you?
4. The song reminds us that Jesus is the “light of truth.”  Think of one person to whom you could reflect the light of Jesus.  How is that person?  What can you do to reflect the light of Christ?
5. What is one thing you can do this Christmas to draw closer to God?  What areas of your life is God calling you to leave at the cross of Christ?

Lyrics

Who is this child,
Asleep in a manger?
The heavens are bright
The stable’s so cold
On this holy night,
Have you come to redeem us?
Little child in the straw
Little child in the straw

Who is this babe?
Prince of the universe
A donkey is braying
Angels are singing
The prophets did say
You would come to redeem the world
Little babe in the straw
Save us all

And if we lose sight of your sweet face
At the birth of grace, at the birth of grace
Light of truth shine like Bethlehem’s star
Lead us to where you are, show us who you are

Merciful one
Lover of every soul
The Father’s own Son
Emmanuel
Yes, we believe,
You are able to heal us
Noel, noel,
Save us all

Save us tonight (repeat)

Related posts:

1. December 17 – Babe in The Straw (A Christmas Carol Advent)
2. It’s Christmas Time (December 7)
3. When Love Came Down (December 16)

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Smtxx3CQgA

Story Behind the Song

Written by Chris Eaton, the song “When Love Came Down” appeared on the 1999 Point of Grace album A Christmas Story.

Commentary & Analysis

The Bible tells us in 1 John 4:8 that

“God is love.”

When God came to earth in human form at Christmas, love did indeed come down. He came down to dwell amongst us. He came to lead a perfect life and eventually die on a cross for my sins, and your sins, and the sins of all who would accept Him. He paid the price. He made the sacrifice. He was the sacrifice by which we may be cleansed.

1 John 4:10 reminds us,

“In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

John 15:13 tells us,

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

God is love, and Jesus Christ (born on Christmas day) is the expression of that perfect love. One final word from 1 John 4:11 which we all need to remember this Christmas:

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

Questions for Further Reflection / Devotion

1. What do think it means when the Bible says “God is love?”
2. How has Jesus Christ expressed His love for you in your life?
3. How are you showing love to other people?

Lyrics

*Chorus*
Close your eyes and share the dream
Let everyone on Earth believe
The Child was born the stars shown bright
When love came down at Christmas time
When love came down at Christmas time…

Christmas Eve 2 a.m. heavy snow is falling down
And the streets clothed in white echo songs
That were sung by candle light.

Oooo Oooo

We’re alive we can breathe but do we
Really care for this world in need?
There’s a choice we must make
Each and every day.

*Chorus*

So Merry Christmas everyone
And peace throughout the year
The time has come to celebrate
So let your voices fill the air.

Everyone watch and pray that the sun
Will shine on a brighter day
Join your hands lift them high for this gift of life.
When love came down at Christmas time
When love came sown at Christmas time..
When love came down at Christmas time..
When love came down at Christmas time..

*Chorus x2*

Related posts:

1. Labor of Love (December 4)
2. It’s Christmas Time (December 7)
3. Jesus Born on this Day (December 10)