Rejoice! Rejoice!

O come, O 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, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o’er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,
In ancient times did’st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

—9th Century Latin Hymn
Translated in 1851 by John Mason Neale

What Christmas Is All About

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

—Luke 2:8-14, ESV

The LORD is the Strength of His People

Blessed be the LORD!
        For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
The LORD is my strength and my shield;
        in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
        and with my song I give thanks to him.

The LORD is the strength of his people;
        he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
        Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

—Psalm 28:6-9, ESV

Peace With God Through Faith

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

—Romans 5:1-5, ESV

The King of Glory

Lift up your heads, O gates!
        And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
        that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
        The LORD, strong and mighty,
        the LORD, mighty in battle!
Lift up your heads, O gates!
        And lift them up, O ancient doors,
        that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
        The LORD of hosts,
        he is the King of glory! Selah

—Psalm 24:7-10, ESV

The Jaw-Dropping Beauty of Jesus

On a recent episode of The Whole Counsel podcast that is published by Media Gratiae, the discussion focused on Hebrews 1 and 34 descriptions of Jesus in those 14 verses.

Ten Descriptions of Christ from the inspired human author (x10; vv. 1-4):

  • v. 2 — Definitive voice of God
  • v. 2 — Heir of all
  • v. 2 — Maker of all
  • v. 3 — Radiance of God’s glory
  • v. 3 — Exact representation of God’s nature
  • v. 3 — Upholds all by His word
  • v. 3 — Purifier of sins
  • v. 3 — Sat down (Priestly work complete)
  • v. 3 — Co-equal w/Father in Majesty
  • v. 4 — Better than totality of angels & Inheritor of more excellent Name

Twenty-four Descriptions of Christ from the Father (x24; vv. 5-14):

  • v. 5 — My Son (Ps. 2:7)
  • v. 5 — Today begotten
  • v. 5 — I will be a Father to Him (2 Sam 7:14)
  • v. 5 — He will be a Son to Me
  • v. 6 — All angels worship Him (Ps 97:7)
  • v. 8 — Inhabits everlasting throne (Ps 45:6)
  • v. 8 — You are God
  • v. 8 — You are King
  • v. 8 — Righteous ruler/scepter
  • v. 9 — Lover of righteousness (Ps 45:7)
  • v. 9 — Hater of sin
  • v. 9 — God is Thy God
  • v. 9 — Anointed by God (Isa 61:3)
  • v. 9 — Happiest of all
  • v. 10 — You are LORD (Ps 102:25)
  • v. 10 — You are forever
  • v. 10 — You are Creator of earth (Ps 102:26)
  • v. 10 — You are Creator of heaven
  • v. 11 — You are indestructible (Isa 51:6)
  • v. 12 — You will effect consummation (Ps 102:26-27)
  • v. 12 — You are immutable
  • v. 12 — You are eternal
  • v. 13 — Enthroned at God’s right hand (Ps 110:1)
  • v. 13 — Father will make enemies Thy footstool

Source: Media Gratiae