Hear the Bells Ring

Ring the bells, ring the bells,

Let the whole world know

Christ was born in Bethlehem

Born to die that man might live,

Come to earth new life to give,

Born of Mary, born so low.

Many years ago,

God the Father gave His Son,

Gave His own beloved One

To this wicked, sinful earth,

To bring mankind His love,

And His new birth:

Ring the bells, ring the bells,

Let the whole world know

Christ the Savior lives today

As He did so long ago!

- from "Ring the Bells" by Harry Bollback

When I heard this song on a secular radio station, I was filled with joy. I thought about the clarity of the message "For God so loved the world..." I know that many people are walking about with dark scales on their eyes, but the "Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword..." I pray that the Lord will use the secular radio waves to spread the Good News of the gospel and the redeeming work of His Son Jesus Christ!

The Angels Sing

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

-- "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" by Charles Wesley

I am so excited to be posting Christmas music. I love this time of year, even with all the hustle and bustle, and I thoroughly enjoy turning on the Christmas music! I knew I would have a hard time choosing a song, but a line in this song solidified my decision. When I read Wesley's text "God and sinners reconciled...," I had to spend more time contemplating this glorious yet unbelievable thought. God -- the Creator of the Universe, the I AM, Jehovah, the Three-in-One, the Almighty -- and sinners -- dirty, filthy, conniving, condemned, guilty humans -- reconciled -- brought into agreement or harmony, restored... What a thought! What an unfathomable thought!!! I know why Wesley contiued with "...all ye nations, rise. Join the triumph of the skies..." How can I keep from singing about this spectacular truth?!

I love the adoration and praise that Wesley gives to the Lord Jesus Christ in this song. "Hail the incarnate Deity! Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!" I want keep singing..."All glory, laud, and honor, to Thee Redeemer King!"

Thank You, Lord Jesus for coming to earth to redeem us. Thank You for dwelling with us, our Emmanuel. Thank You for laying your glory by to be born of a virgin and live a lowly, earthly life. Thank You for dying and rising from the dead! Thank You for offering us healing. "Born to give them second birth..." Lord, thank You for my second birth. Thank You for opening my eyes to my great need of You. This Christmas I want to honor You, "Glory to the newborn King!"