Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

Infant holy, infant lowly,
for His bed a cattle stall;
oxen lowing, little knowing
Christ, the babe, is Lord of all.
Swift are winging angels singing,
noels ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the babe is Lord of all!

Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping
vigil till the morning new
saw the glory, heard the story,
tidings of the gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow,
praises voicing, greet the morrow:
Christ the babe was born for you.

- attributed to Piotrowi Skardze; translated by Edith M. G. Reed

-----
What does it look like to follow Jesus? I’ve written a book that walks through the Letter of 1 John and offers practical guidance for spiritual growth. Buy it here!

Looking for some encouragement in your walk with Jesus? I’ve written a devotional book designed to remind you of God’s abundant grace.

Connect with me on Instagram, Substack, and Pinterest.
My reading recommendations. My merch store. My Etsy store.

The Angels’ Song

The Lord of Love, on a certain night
Said, “Lo, the world’s lamp grows dim.”
And He made a Song, and filled it with light;
And He called His angels to Him,
And He said in His kindness, “My poor people lie
All in the dark; take this new Song and fly
Down to them; sing it to them, or they die.”

In each angel’s heart, like a little bright sun,
Was the beautiful Song—and new.
And they wanted to sing it to everyone
As the Lord had told them to do.”
“For,” said the angels, the one to the other,
“Whoso that sings it will know his great Lover—
See in the light of it each man a brother.”

So they flew past many a burning star
That sails in the outermost deep;
And they passed the white moon, and they traveled far
Till they came to a field of sheep.
And the men that tended them woke as the light
Of the wonderful Song broke forth in might;
And the world has been lighter since that night.

- The Angels’ Song by Amy Carmichael

-----
Looking for some encouragement in your walk with Jesus? I’ve written a devotional book designed to remind you of God’s abundant grace.
Connect with me on Instagram, Substack, and Pinterest.
My reading recommendations. My merch store. My Etsy store.

December Desktop Wallpaper

Desktop wallpaper for December 2022. Click on the picture for a full-sized version.

The Wexford Carol

Good people all, this Christmas time,
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done,
In sending His belovèd Son.
With Mary holy we should pray
To God with love this Christmas Day;
In Bethlehem upon the morn
There was a blest Messiah born.

The night before that happy tide
The noble virgin and her guide
Were long time seeking up and down
To find a lodging in the town.
But mark how all things came to pass:
From every door repelled, alas!
As long foretold, their refuge all
Was but a humble oxen stall.

Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep;
To whom God’s angels did appear
Which put the shepherds in great fear.
Prepare and go, the angels said,
To Bethlehem, be not afraid;
For there you’ll find, this happy morn,
A princely babe, sweet Jesus born.

With thankful heart and joyful mind,
The shepherds went the babe to find,
And as God’s angel has foretold,
They did our Savior Christ behold.
Within a manger He was laid,
And by His side the virgin maid
Attending to the Lord of Life,
Who came on earth to end all strife.

-----
You have just finished reading The Wexford Carol.
Connect with me on Twitter and Pinterest.

Joy Has Dawned

Joy has dawned upon the world,
Promised from creation:
God’s salvation now unfurled,
Hope for every nation.
Not with fanfares from above,
Not with scenes of glory.
But a humble gift of love:
Jesus born of Mary.

Sounds of wonder fill the sky
With the songs of angels,
As the mighty Prince of Life
Shelters in a stable.
Hands that set each star in place,
Shaped the earth in darkness,
Cling now to a mother’s breast,
Vulnerable and helpless.

Shepherds bow before the Lamb,
Gazing at the glory;
Gifts of men from distant lands
Prophesy the story.
Gold, a King is born today,
Incense, God is with us,
Myrrh, His death will make a way,
And by His blood He’ll win us.

Son of Adam, Son of heaven,
Given as a ransom,
Reconciling God and man,
Christ our mighty Champion.
What a Saviour, what a Friend,
What a glorious mystery:
Once a babe in Bethlehem,
Now the Lord of history.

- by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty

-----
You have just finished reading Joy Has Dawned.
Connect with me on Twitter and Pinterest.

God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen

God rest you merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
For Jesus Christ, our Saviour
Was born upon this day,
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

From God our heavenly Father
A blessed angel came,
And unto certain shepherds
Brought tidings of the same,
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by name:
The shepherds at those tidings
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm, and wind,
And went to Bethlehem straightway,
This blessed Babe to find:
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

But when to Bethlehem they came,
Whereat this Infant lay,
They found Him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
His mother Mary kneeling,
Unto the Lord did pray:
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And in true love and fellowship
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
Is filled with heav'nly grace.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.


-----
You have just finished reading God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen.
Connect with me on Twitter and Pinterest.

Christmas Morning

"Christmas morning broke on a beautiful white world. It had been a very mild December and people had looked forward to a green Christmas; but just enough snow fell softly in the night to transfigure Avonlea. Anne peeped out from her frosted gable window with delighted eyes. The firs in the Haunted Wood were all feathery and wonderful; the birches and wild cherry trees were outlined in pearl; the plowed fields were stretches of snowy dimples; and there was a crisp tang in the air that was glorious."
- L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

-----
You have just finished reading Christmas Morning.
Connect with me on Twitter and Pinterest.

Above the Manger Stood a Star

Above the manger stood a star
A star all wondrous white
and all about His lowly bed
There welled a flood of light

It bathed the stable in its glow
It shone round Mary's head
And on the kneeling shepherds cloaks
Its radiant beams were shed.

Star of the world, through time and space
it flames in glory bright
to make a man's pilgrimage through the night
a pathway of light

- by Traditional

-----
You have just finished reading Above the Manger Stood a Star.
Connect with me on Twitter and Pinterest.

See Amid the Winter's Snow

See, amid the winter's snow,
born for us on earth below,
see the tender Lamb appears,
promised from eternal years.

Hail! Thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem."

Lo, within a manger lies
He who built the starry skies;
He, who throned in height sublime,
sits amid the cherubim!

Say, ye holy shepherds, say,
what your joyful news today;
wherefore have ye left your sheep
on the lonely mountain steep?

"As we watched at dead of night,
lo, we saw a wondrous light;
angels singing 'Peace on earth'
told us of the Savior's birth."

Sacred Infant, all divine,
what a tender love was Thine;
thus to come from highest bliss
down to such a world as this!

Teach, O teach us, Holy Child,
by Thy face so meek and mild,
teach us to resemble Thee
in Thy sweet humility!

- by Edward Caswall

-----
You have just finished reading See Amid the Winter's Snow.
Connect with me on Twitter and Pinterest.

The Light of Christmas Morn

The blasts of chill December sound
The farewell of the year,
And night’s swift shadows gathering round
O’ercloud the soul with fear;
But rest you well, good Christian men,
Nor be of heart forlorn;
December’s darkness brings again
The Light of Christmas morn.

The welcome snow at Christmastide
Falls shining from the skies:
On village paths and uplands wide
All holy-white it lies;
It crowns with pearl the oaks and pines,
And glitters on the thorn;
But purer is the Light that shines
On gladsome Christmas morn.

At Christmastide the gracious moon
Keeps vigil while we sleep,
And sheds abroad her light’s sweet boon,
On vale and mountain-steep;
O’er all the slumbering land descends
Her radiancy unshorn;
But brighter is the light, good friends,
That shines on Christmas morn.

’Twas when the world was waxing old,
And night on Bethlehem lay,
The shepherds saw the heavens unfold
A light beyond the day;
Such glory ne’er had visited
A world with sin outworn;
But yet more glorious Light is shed
On happy Christmas morn.

Those shepherds poor, how blest were they
The angels’ song to hear!
In manger cradle as He lay,
To greet their Lord so dear!
The Lord of Heaven’s eternal height
For us a Child was born;
And He, the very Light of light,
Shone forth that Christmas morn!

Before His infant smile afar,
Were driven the hosts of hell;
And still in souls that childlike are
His guardian love shall dwell:
O then rejoice, good Christian men,
Nor be of heart forlorn;
December’s darkness brings again
The light of Christmas morn.

The Light of Christmas Morn by Norvad Clyne

-----
You have just finished reading The Light of Christmas Morn.
Connect with me on Twitter and Pinterest.

There is Faint Music

There is faint music in the night
and pale wings fanned by silver flight.
A frosty hill with tender glow
of countless stars that shine on snow.

A shelter from the winter storm,
a straw-lined manger safe and warm,
and Mary singing lullabies
to hush her baby's sleepy sighs.

Her eyes are fixed upon his face,
unheeded here is time and space.
Her heart is filled with blinding joy
for God's own son, her baby boy.

There is Faint Music by Nancy Buckley

-----
You have just finished reading There is Faint Music.
Connect with me on Twitter and Pinterest.

The Wise Men

Once a star rose in the sky,
Silver star of mystery,
But the wise men, pondering, knew
What it said that they must do.

So, in that first Christmastide,
On their camels they did ride—
Rode to far Jerusalem,
Rode to farther Bethlehem;

Found the little, precious child,
On the ground before Him piled
Gold and frankincense and myrrh;
Hailed Him Royal Conqueror.

Once again, led by a Star,
Do we come from near and far,
Drawn by Love’s beloved cords,
Hail our Savior, Lord of lords.

And as holy seraphim
Veil their faces, worship Him,
Pray we now this Christmas grace—
Reverence as we seek His Face.

The Wise Men by Amy Carmichael

-----
You have just finished reading The Wise Men.
Connect with me on Twitter and Pinterest.

O Thou Joyful, O Thou Wonderful

O thou joyful, O thou wonderful
Grace revealing Christmas-tide!
Jesus came to win us
From all sin within us;
Glorify the Holy Child!

O thou joyful, O thou wonderful
Love revealing Christmas-tide!
Loud hosannas singing
And all praises bringing;
May Thy love with us abide!

O thou joyful, O thou wonderful
Peace revealing Christmas-tide!
Darkness disappeareth,
God’s own light now neareth;
Peace and joy to all betide.

O Thou Joyful, O Thou Wonderful by Johann Daniel Falk; translated by Henry Katterjohn

-----
You have just finished reading O Thou Joyful, O Thou Wonderful.
Connect with me on Twitter and Pinterest.

Christmas Carol

The kings they came from out the south,
All dressed in ermine fine;
They bore Him gold and chrysoprase,
And gifts of precious wine.

The shepherds came from out the north,
Their coats were brown and old;
They brought Him little new-born lambs—
They had not any gold.

The wise men came from out the east,
And they were wrapped in white;
The star that led them all the way
Did glorify the night.

The angels came from heaven high,
And they were clad with wings;
And lo, they brought a joyful song
The host of heaven sings.

The kings they knocked upon the door,
The wise men entered in,
The shepherds followed after them
To hear the song begin.

The angels sang through all the night
Until the rising sun,
But little Jesus fell asleep
Before the song was done.

Christmas Carol by Sarah Teasdale


You have just finished reading Christmas Carol.
Connect with me on Twitter and Pinterest.

All My Heart This Night Rejoices

All my heart this night rejoices
as I hear far and near sweetest angel voices.
"Christ is born," their choirs are singing
till the air ev'rywhere now with joy is ringing.

Forth today the Conqu'ror goeth,
who the foe, sin and woe, death and hell, o'erthroweth.
God is man, man to deliver;
His dear Son now is one with our blood forever.

Shall we still dread God's displeasure,
who, to save, freely gave His most cherished Treasure?
To redeem us, He hath given
His own Son from the throne of His might in heaven.

He becomes the Lamb that taketh
sin away and for aye full atonement maketh.
For our life His own He tenders;
and our race, by His grace, fit for glory renders.

Hark! a voice from yonder manger,
soft and sweet, doth entreat, "Flee from woe and danger;
brethren, from all ills that grieve you
you are freed; all you need I will surely give you."

Come, then, banish all your sadness,
one and all, great and small; come with songs of gladness.
Love Him who with love is glowing;
hail the star, near and far light and joy bestowing.

Dearest Lord, Thee will I cherish.
Though my breath fail in death, yet I shall not perish,
but with Thee abide forever
there on high, in that joy which can vanish never.

All My Heart This Night Rejoices by Paul Gerhardt, translated by Catherine Winkworth


You have just finished reading All My Heart This Night Rejoices.
Connect with me on Twitter and Pinterest.

Love Came Down at Christmas

Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine,
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and Angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,
Love Incarnate, Love Divine,
Worship we our Jesus,
But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,
Love shall be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign.

by Christina Rosetti

Related posts:
A Christmas Carol
Nativity
The Light of the World
Love's Eternal Wonder

-----
You have just finished reading Love Came Down at Christmas.
Connect with me on Twitter and Pinterest.

Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming

Lo, how a rose e'er blooming,
From tender stem hath sprung.
Of Jesse's lineage coming,
As men of old have sung;
It came, a flow'ret bright,
Amid the cold of winter,
When half spent was the night.

Isaiah 'twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind,
With Mary we behold it,
The virgin mother kind;
To show God's love aright,
She bore to men a Savior,
When half spent was the night.

O Flower, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispel with glorious splendour
The darkness everywhere;
True man, yet very God,
From Sin and death now save us,
And share our every load.

-----
You have just finished reading Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming.
Connect with me on Twitter and Pinterest.

A Christmas Carol

by Christina Rosetti

In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty
Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him whom cherubim
Worship night and day,
A breastful of milk
And a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him whom angels
Fall down before,
The ox and ass and camel
Which adore.

Angels and archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Throng'd the air,
But only His mother
In her maiden bliss
Worshipped her Beloved
With a kiss.

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,--
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.

-----
You have just finished reading A Christmas Carol.
Connect with me on Twitter and Pinterest.

Nativity

N - Nations rage, peace seems furtive, our King is born.
A - Almighty God stoops to be born, the Child will be our Savior.
T - Tyrants plot, shepherds worship, angels announce good news.
I - In the fullness of time God's plan to ransom mankind is set into motion.
V - Victory over death will come, the cradle will soon be exchanged for a cross.
I - Immortal God will die, will rise victorious, providing the way of salvation.
T - This Christmas season we meditate on God's grace.
Y - Yearly we ponder the miracle that was wrought - God is reconciled with man.


You have just finished reading Nativity.
Connect with me on Twitter and Pinterest.

The Light of the World

"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)

One of my favorite aspects of this time of year is all the lights. As the days get colder and shorter, the extra twinkle is much welcomed. Lights twinkle on Christmas trees and from shop windows. Candles are lit to mark the passing of the Advent season.

Just as light shines into our lives, bringing warmth and joy, in a much grander way, the truth of God's word shines into our lives, bringing lasting warmth and joy. As we revel in the reality that Jesus Christ was born as our savior, we find peace and grace. Not just during the Advent season, but also through the rest of our year.


You have just finished reading The Light of the World.
Connect with me on Twitter and Pinterest.