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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...

Jesus Born on this Day (December 10)

Dec10To view the entire 2011 Christmas Carol Advent check out our Christmas Carol Advent index page.

Video

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCOXVxS7GkM

Story Behind the Song

This song was written by Mariah Carey with Walter Afanasieff and appeared on Mariah Carey’s 1994 album Merry Christmas.

Commentary & Analysis

This song praises Jesus for who is – our light, our salvation, the Lamb of God, the King of Kings, light, love, grace. There are so many things to praise Jesus for. One of my favorite parts of this song is in the very first verse which reminds us of an important truth about the life of Jesus:

Today the glory of God
Shines everywhere
For all the world

Jesus is the perfect revelation of God’s glory. 2 Corinthians 4:6 reminds us:

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV)

In knowing Jesus Christ, we get the clearest picture of God’s incomprehensible glory. That alone would be sufficient cause for celebration this Christmas season!

Questions for Further Reflection / Devotion

  1. What do you think of when you think of God’s glory?
  2. Take a few minutes to reflect on Jesus as the clear revelation of God’s glory?
  3. Do you take time at Christmas to stop and worship the one who the season is all about?
  4. The final verse reminds us that Jesus is light, love and grace. What do these three words mean to you?

Lyrics

Today a child is born on earth
Today a child is born on earth
Today the glory of God
Shines everywhere
For all the world

[Chorus:] Oh Jesus born on this day
He is our light and salvation
Oh Jesus born on this day
He is the King of all nations

Behold the Lamb of God has come
Behold the Lamb of God has come
Behold the Savior is born
Sing of His love
To everyone

[Chorus]

Today our hearts rejoice in him
Today our hearts rejoice in him
Today the light of His birth
Fills us with hope
And brings peace on earth

[Chorus]

Today a child is born on earth
Today a child is born on earth

He is light, He is love, He is grace
Born on Christmas day
He is light, He is love, He is grace
Born on Christmas day
He is light, He is love, He is grace
Born on Christmas day

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