Forgotten Verses

Here are some more more forgotten verses from another familiar Christmas carol:

True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal,
Lo, He shuns not the Virgin’s womb;
Son of the Father, begotten, not created;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

See how the shepherds, summoned to His cradle,
Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Lo! star led chieftains, Magi, Christ adoring,
Offer Him incense, gold, and myrrh;
We to the Christ Child bring our hearts’ oblations.
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger,
We would embrace Thee, with love and awe;
Who would not love Thee, loving us so dearly?
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

“O Come All Ye Faithful”
John F. Wade
Written around 1743
As found in the Cyber Hymnal

Forgotten Verses

Yesterday I started a week-long feature sharing forgotten verses from some of our favorite Christmas carols.  Here is the second installment:

Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring Seed,
Bruise in us the serpent’s head.
Now display Thy saving power,
Ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface,
Stamp Thine image in its place:
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.
Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the Life, the inner man:
O, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

“Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
Charles Wesley
Written in 1739
As found in the Cyber Hymnal

Forgotten Verses

Every year we sing numerous Christmas carols from our hymnal at church.  But often our hymnal only has a few select verses included.  So this week I want to feature some forgotten verses from some of our favorite Christmas carols.  Here is the first:

Sinners, wrung with true repentance,
Doomed for guilt to endless pains,
Justice now revokes the sentence,
Mercy calls you; break your chains.
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn king.

Though an Infant now we view Him,
He shall fill His Father’s throne,
Gather all the nations to Him;
Every knee shall then bow down:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn king.

All creation, join in praising
God, the Father, Spirit, Son,
Evermore your voices raising
To th’eternal Three in One.
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn king.

“Angels From the Realms of Glory”
James Montgomery
Written 1816-1825
As found in the Cyber Hymnal

Passion Week Devos: Saturday

Saturday: Pain of Loss and Failure – Struggling Without Hope
Read Luke 22:31-34, 22:54-62, 23:50-56

Prayer: Father, I cannot imagine this day for Peter.  What was it like for him to lose Jesus and fail him all in one day?  To struggle without hope?  And Father, if Jesus had remained in the grave, I too would be without hope.  All would be lost.  Help me today to remember how hopeless life would be without the glorious news that tomorrow brings.  Amen.

Reflect/Discuss: What would your life be like if Jesus had stayed in the grave?

Praise: No singing today.  Wait with anticipation for tomorrow.

 

Passion Week Devos: Friday

Good Friday (in 3 parts)

Morning: Plot – The Plans of God and Men
Read Luke 22:1-6, 22:47-53, 22:63-23:16

Prayer: Father, how shamefully they treated your Son.  Judas plotted against him and betrayed his friend.  The religious leaders plotted against him and made a mockery of justice to have their own way.  And yet all their plots were part of your bigger plot to save me.  Thank you for my Savior.  Amen.

Noon: Pardon – In My Place
Read Luke 23:17-25

Prayer: Father, Barabbas should have died that day, but Jesus died in his place.  The cross should have been mine, but Jesus died in my place.  He died for my sins, for my rebellion.  He who was perfect paid the penalty for my sins that I might go free.  Jesus, thank you for taking my place.  Amen.

Evening: Passion – Remember the Cross
Read Luke 23:26-49

Prayer: Father, words are so cheap, but thank you for the cross.  Thank you for forgiveness.  Thank you for the hope of paradise.  Thank you for Jesus.  Amen.

Reflect/Discuss: How does reflecting on Christ’s passion fuel your love for him?

Praise: Spend some time singing songs about the cross.

 

Passion Week Devos: Thursday

Thursday (in 3 parts)

Morning: Passover – The New Covenant
Read Luke 22:7-23

Prayer: Father, thank you for the new covenant you have made with me through Jesus Christ.  Thank you that his body was broken and his blood poured out to pay for my sins that I might walk with you.  Thank you for the regular reminder given to us in the Lord’s Supper.  Amen.

Noon: Perfect Servant – Follow His Example
Read Luke 22:24-30

Prayer: Father, your Son came to serve, and too often I join the disciples seeking to be the greatest, seeking to exalt myself.  Help me to humbly serve as Jesus served.  Help me to be a servant to my family, to your church, wherever I go.  Amen.

Evening: Prayer – God’s Will, Not Mine
Read Luke 22:35-46

Prayer: Father, like the disciples I too am weak, and I need your help to overcome temptation.  Awaken me from my spiritual slumber that I might pray.  Let me join my Savior in seeking your will.  Too often my way is not your way.  Help me to submit to your way no matter what the cost.  Dear Father, not my will, but yours be done.  Amen.

Reflect/Discuss: In what current situations do you need to submit to his will?

Praise: Sing “Have Thine Own Way Lord”

 

Passion Week Devos: Wednesday

Wednesday: Prophecy – Be Alert
Read Luke 19:41-44, 21:5-38

Prayer: Father, your Son predicted the Fall of Jerusalem, and it happened.  Your Son predicted his return – help me to be ready.  Help me to be alert.  While I wait, help me to be ready and watchful for opportunities to bear witness for Christ.  Help me not to get so weighed down with the cares of this life that I fail to be alert to your opportunities and your return.  Even so, come Lord Jesus!  Amen.

Reflect/Discuss: What keeps us from being more alert to his coming?

Praise: Sing “Christ Returneth!”

Passion Week Devos: Tuesday

Tuesday: Predictions – Take Up Your Cross
Read Luke 9:18-27, 18:31-34

Prayer: Father, your Son knew what was coming, yet he willingly gave himself up for me.  He was rejected, mocked, shamefully treated, spit upon, flogged, and killed for my sins.  Let me give myself for him.  Help me deny myself – stop living for myself, and take up my cross – be willing to suffer for Christ, and follow him wherever he leads.  Amen.

Reflect/Discuss: What are some practical daily examples of what it might look like to deny yourself for Christ?

Praise: Sing “Am I A Soldier of the Cross”