Christmas – Page 3 – Be Still…

Day 10 🌲 Angels We Have Heard on High

Gloria! I think we all sound like angels when we sing the refrain/chorus of this Christmas favorite. It’s one word, “Gloria” but it takes us on a bit of a journey of notes just to sing it! I’ll never forget the eggshells, either! That’s how we helped kids to sing the words, “in excelsis Deo.”

The whole line of the refrain, “Gloria in excelsis Deo” is translated, “Glory to God in the highest!” That is a great line of adoration! I try to incorporate a bit of adoration in each prayer or conversation I have with God. We all like to be complimented for our accomplishments. God deserves our admiration and praise so much more than any earthly being, don’t you agree? This song oozes with adoration!

Day 9 🌲 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Two young boys sitting together with big smiles laughing and being merry

At first glance, the title of this carol may bring to mind a table full of men, all enjoying merriment of one kind or another—a glass of ale, a burger and fries, or a song with a good beat playing on the jukebox. We can all picture a time of feeling “merry.” I’m sure we have greeted others plenty of times over the last couple weeks saying, “Merry Christmas!”

So what is it to be merry? Certainly, being cheerful and lively is part of it. Yet I think the refrain of this Christmas song gets it right. It talks of tidings, that is, the Good News of Jesus’ birth. “O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.” When we are joyful, we are certainly merry.

Day 8 🌲 The First Noel

Read Luke 2:8-20

the first noel, the nativity with the kings

Jesus’ birth ushered in the celebration of “noel,” which simply means “born on Christmas.” That’s why we won’t find the word “noel” in the Bible. It does speak of the birth we celebrate on Christmas and is quite a popular word in this carol. It’s good to remember the reason for the season because we often see the Christmas story portrayed in other ways these days. For instance, heartwarming Santa stories, to include one of my favorites, “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.”

Our Christmas carol today is fun to sing, and there are six verses! I realized that the Lutheran hymnal from when I was a kid adds a sixth, very powerful verse, not found in most other sources. So, we’ll take a look at that today, too! The refrain or chorus is repeated after each verse. It’s simply, “Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.” If you’re like me, the tune is rushing off your lips!

Day 7 🌲 What Child is This?

A baby's head being cradled by a large hand with baby looking up

Jesus is this Child. This Child is God. Why is that so important?

The lyrics of this song will show us. The first verse speaks of Jesus’ kingship. We must haste to bring worship to our King Jesus! This baby was guarded and sang over by an audience of shepherds and angels.

What child is this who, laid to rest,
on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
haste, haste to bring him laud,
the babe, the son of Mary!

Day 6 🌲 Hark the Herald Angels Sing

animated and colorful portrayal of angels flying in the sky with glory and shepherds and sheep below

In every Christmas pageant I’ve been part of, this song always seems to appear. Try explaining to children what some of these lyrics mean! It’s easy to point to the angels, because after all they are the ones proclaiming the message of the song.

Kids understand angels it seems. We adults may have a harder time wrapping our minds around them. At least for me, being visited by an angel would be a huge honor and definite high point in my life. That is, once I got past the “fear and trembling,” which seems to be a common reaction! Read Luke 2:8-14.