First Sunday after Christmas
Unifying Theme: |
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| Scripture | Theme | Hymns |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 63:7-9 | God's people are saved by the angel of His presence | 181: Ye Servants of
God 280: All Glory, Laud, and Honor |
| Psalm 148 | In the heavens and in the earth, praise the Lord | 95: Praise God, from Whom
All Blessings Flow 96: Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above |
| Hebrews 2:10-18 | Christ, our brother and high priest | 89: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore
Thee 379: Blow Ye the Trumpet, Blow |
| Matthew 2:13-23 | Christ taken to Egypt; return to Nazareth | 179: O Sing a Song of
Bethlehem 371: I Stand Amazed in the Presence |
It is Christmastide, the season of Christmas. We have celebrated the arrival of the Christ Child; we await the visit of the Magi. What a wondrous time of year this is! In the United States and many other places, gifts were exchanged on Friday morning. In Latin America and other lands, gifts will arrive with the Epiphany of the Lord on January 6, and children remain in the heightened expectation of that day.
The world in Christ is full of joy right now. It is a resounding joy--one that overwhelms; one that fills us so completely that we can't hold it in; one that is seen and heard all around the world.
Although it is not traditionally recognized as a carol of Advent, Christmastide, or the Epiphany, this week's featured hymn captures an important message of this season. The year of Jubilee was a year of freedom, a year of forgiveness, a year of great joy. That year has come to us, as it has come to us before and will come to us again and again.
Charles Wesley penned the words of this hymn to emphasize the theme of justifying grace. Christ, whose birth we celebrate during this blessed season, is the all atoning Lamb. Slaves to sin and death are set free. Heritage in heaven has been restored through the gift of Jesus' blood. What exciting themes! Read the words yourself:
| 1. Blow ye the trumpet, blow! The gladly solemn sound let all the nations know, to earth's remotest bound: (Refrain) |
2. Jesus, our great high priest, hath full atonement made; ye weary spirits, rest; ye mournful souls, be glad: (Refrain) |
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| 3. Extol the Lamb of God, the all atoning Lamb; redemption in his blood througout the world proclaim. (Refrain) |
4. Ye slaves of sin and hell, your liberty receive, and safe in Jesus dwell, and blest in Jesus live: (Refrain) |
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| 5. Ye who have sold for nought your heritage above shall have it back unbought, the gift of Jesus' love: (Refrain) |
6. The gospel trumpet hear, the news of heavenly grace; and saved from earth, appear before your Savior's face: The year of jubilee is come! The year of jubilee is come! Return to your eternal home. |
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Speaking as a trumpeter myself, the tune LENOX does not carry as much excitement in the melody as the words inspire, but bold fanfares can answer the melodic phrases magnificently. Whether you sing the words or play the tune on an instrument, take a deep breath and proclaim its message loudly.
God bless you--
Lection at HymnSite.com
God bless you!
| Passages suggested are from The Revised Common Lectionary: Consultation on Common Texts (Abingdon Press, 1992) copyright © by the Consultation on Common Texts (CCT), P.O. Box 340003, Room 381, Nashville TN 37203-0003. Reprinted with permission of CCT. |