Day 26: "Boxing Day" (Bonus)

  I debated doing today, since it is technically not a true "carol". I added it onto the printable at the last minute, because I 100% adore this song (I'm a huge Relient K fan, and their Christmas album, "Let it Snow, Baby, Let it Reindeer" is my absolute favorite) but I couldn't decide if I wanted to write about it. Now, that the day is almost over, I have decided I will! So many people talk about the "after Christmas letdown" but it is actually one of my favorite times of the year. I love to take down my tree, usually the day after Christmas, it has never stayed up past the 28th. I have friends who think that is crazy, but there is something so alluring to me about starting the New Year with a fresh, clean slate. In my house *and* in my heart. There isn't anything magical about the 1st of January, but it is easy to use it as a turning point. I don't really make New Year's resolutions, but it just feels like such a lovely beginning. The craziness of the holidays are over, life returns to a more regularly scheduled program and it just feels like anything is possible. I love to use it as a point of renewal, reminding myself to focus on what is really important, continuing to work towards a stronger faith and love in Christ, and eliminating everything that isn't completely what He wants. Christmas *does* make way for spring-when all things are new. Don't despair because Christmas is over-it is just the start of love and light. This is the year to do whatever you do in word or deed for the Lord. That's a good thing!

Lyrics: "Boxing Day" by Relient K

Questions for thought and discussion;
1. What are some ways you can continue to channel the "Christmas spirit" through the New Year? Why do we limit our love for peace and joy to just one month?

2. New clothes for a New Year: what can you do *today* to put on garments of "compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience...and love"? What about all year? Don't restrict the Christ of Christmas to December!

Day 25: "O, Holy Night"

   The day is finally here. All the holiday planning and preparing is about to come to fruition. Just like the night Christ was born. God carefully constructed His redemption story from the very beginning, and now He would set it all in motion. His lovingly wrapped Present didn't come in colorful paper or have a photo-worthy bow. But He had chosen it with the utmost care and He would give His very best...His One and Only Son. Don't skip today's song, please? I found out  an interesting fact: the original French version of the poem on which this song was based was written by a professed atheist. He was a noted poet and so the parish priest of his town asked him to write it to celebrate. That makes it clear: you can celebrate Christmas without celebrating Christ, you can give beautiful gifts, and sing lovely songs, and do all the right "things" and still not mean it. We can redeem this though by having hearts of true worship-we give the day its due value and meaning when we sanctify it by having our hearts and minds centered on Christ. Today of all days, the one the world has chosen to celebrate the Most Important Birthday Ever, we should take some time and add prayer and worship to the top of the list, don't you think? He gave His all, so that we can truly have all. Today is the day! Sing of His birth!

Lyrics: "O, Holy Night"
(You won't find this one in the 1991 Baptist Hymnal, either)

Questions for thought and discussion;
1. Why do you think a posture of kneeling or bowing is repeated so often in Scripture? Is there merit to that? Or is it just an ancient tradition we no longer need? Perhaps you would kneel in prayer today, maybe even bow down, face to the floor. Does that humble you?

2. Christmas night: when the Divine met the earthly as had never been seen before. Truly, the created had a first time opportunity (since Adam and Eve) to bow before the Creator. Do you see the beauty in this? What is your favorite character in the story? How did he or she demonstrate reverence and awe? How can that instruct your own worship.

3. Make plans to worship today, corporately or own your own. Expect to meet God the same way the  Magi did. I think you will be surprised.

Looking for the printable? Find it here. 

Day 24: "We Three Kings"

   I remember loving this song as a child. It seemed dark and mysterious, exactly the way I pictured the Magi. There are only a few sentences about their arrival. And once I realized that pretty much they were *not* at the manger, I focused on correcting every nativity I ever saw. This was accomplished by placing all three "kings" as far away as possible from Jesus and His parents. The shepherds could be close by, but those impostors didn't belong at Christmas! I apologize now, because clearly I was caught up in my misplaced sense of justice. Those "kings" (who weren't really kings at all, they were an elite group of exceptionally learned men) definitely earned their spot in the Nativity story. And I love them so much more, now. They were the ultimate seekers, feeling their need for Jesus so strongly it drove them to leave everything they knew, their own wealth and stature, their homes and families, behind in search for the Greatest Gift. Those kings, they humble me, shame me with my insecurities and grasping at worldly treasures, when I already have everything, and the Only One I will ever need. So, if you are judgmental like I was, don't overlook this one. See what it is really saying.

Lyrics: "We Three Kings"

The Baptist Hymnal (1991): #113

Questions for thought and discussion:
1. The Magi recognized the kingship of Christ, in part because they themselves were in positions of authority. They could see the similarities in the prophecies of Christ's coming and the responsibilities their own jobs required. What "Kingly" responsibilities do we see in Christ's life? Are they all "high and mighty"?

2. We sometimes use the term "come to Jesus" when talking about a person's acceptance of salvation. How did the Magi illustrate that for us? When they "came to Jesus" what did it mean in terms of their posture and attitude? How can we continue to "come to Jesus" after we are saved?

Day 23: "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"

     This song should bring Scrooge to mind. That isn't because there is anything miserly or stingy about it, but because it is mentioned in the first chapter of "A Christmas Carol" by Dickens. We all love that quintessential Yuletide story. It is all about second chances and redemption, and well, God blessing all of the world and give us true joy, which does have a way of making one merry, doesn't it?  Scrooge reminds us the worst of scoundrels can see the light, that "when we were gone astray" "Christ our Savior was born on Christmas day"...Always there when we need Him most, isn't He?

Lyrics: "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"
(Another one not in the Baptist Hymnal!)

Questions for thought and discussion:
1. Jesus came as THE King- meaning He had (and has) all the power and prestige fitting the highest royal Person. He had the power to free us from sin, He was the only one. To deny Jesus' power is to, in a way, say that Satan has more control. Do you ever do that in your own life? When you doubt, or worry, isn't that in a way denying Christ's power over everything? "Let nothing you dismay"...how can you acknowledge that truth through Christ?

2.  The 7th verse (Does this one have a crazy number of verses or what? EIGHT!) speaks of brotherhood, and the verses from Romans talk of how "we have received grace and apostleship". How can we exemplify those things through our unity? Why is that such an essential to the Christian life?

Looking for the printable? Find it here. 

Day 22: "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night"

   I have fond memories of this song. I don't have the most pleasant of voices, it isn't like nails on a chalkboard or anything, but I can count on one hand the number of times I have sung in front of an audience that I wasn't hiding out in a choir. One of those was the illustrious performance of "Silent Night", and another was this song, which I performed with several of my sisters and my mother. That is the single time that I have done that as an adult. I had never heard this song before my mom suggested we sing it at a Christmas Eve service, and I immediately liked it. We did *not* sing all six verses, nor did we sing it perfectly. However, we did sing it joyously, as a humble homage to the King. I'm guessing that the shepherds paid their respects in much the same way-knowing they had little to offer, but giving all they had, confident He would make up the difference.

Lyrics: "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night"
(This one isn't in the Baptist Hymnal, either.)

Questions for thought and discussion;
1. It's pretty obvious throughout Scripture that God is pretty fond of shepherds. (Read about David if you need reminding!) However, He didn't elevate their status-sheep herding wasn't a plush job, they didn't make six figures, or have any status of which to speak. You would think if He liked them so much, He would have changed all that, right? Why do you think God chose to allow shepherds to maintain such a lowly position? What part did that play in the Christmas story?

2.  Our pastor spoke of the shepherds this morning and he pointed out something I had never noticed before: the shepherds were not commanded to find Jesus, they chose to go. That is such a great example of our own freedom to choose Jesus. How else do their actions concerning seeking Jesus, finding Him and sharing Him are a reflection of the experience of a believer?

Looking for the printable? Find it here.