A Net in Time

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Faith

Songs that Help us Remember Christmas

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Here we come a-caroling
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a wand’ring,
So fair to be seen.

Yes, it is the season to be caroling, to find songs to help us celebrate. To make a joyful noise with each other. The fun, the jolly-ness. It’s good, isn’t it?  I just love singing good songs (and silly ones too) with loved ones. 

You know what else it is though?  It’s also the season to take time. To find songs to help us really remember Christmas, you know… the spiritual significance to the season. These songs help us remember that God made a promise, then kept it! God made a sacrifice so that we could be brought back to him.

Songs that Help us Remember Christmas

Songs that help us remember

Every year on my blog I blog about these songs. Sharing the lyrics, the author, and this year adding thoughts about the songs themselves.  I find this draws me more into considering the gift given. 

A child born, a promise kept.   One of my favourite songs.  I don’t know WHY I like this song so much, but I do.  🙂 

Songs that Help us Remember Christmas

The news spread. Angels, shepherds, 

The future promise

What Songs help you remember Christmas?  Do you have favourites?  If so, what are they? 

Go Tell it on the Mountain

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I originally wrote about this Christmas song Go Tell it on the Mountain back in 2015 on my weebly blog.  I figured it was about time for me to write about it again.  It’s a lively song, quite different than many of the traditional Christmas carols that we sing. 

Go Tell it on the Mountain

Lyrics

Refrain

Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light.

Refrain

The shepherds feared and trembled,
When lo! above the earth,
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed the Savior’s birth.

Refrain

Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessèd Christmas morn.

Refrain

Author and History

There is some discussion about who actually created this piece.  Some scholars think John Wesley Work, Jr. wrote “Go Tell It On The Mountain.” Work was the first African-American collector of Negro spirituals.  He was also a composer and scholar.  It is thought he either composed it in 1907.

While other scholars think that slaves had been singing this American folk carol since at least the 1860’s.  If that is the case Work could not have composed it since he was born after that.  

This upbeat hymn didn’t become popular until the mid-20th century after the advent of jazz, blues and early rock. 

Discipleship Ministries has posted the original lyrics. 

Ponderings

One of the things I found fascinating about this hymn is how the words have changed over the years.  From the original spiritual with the slave overtones, to the common verses we sing today.  I’ve sung this hymn most often with the verses written above but occasionally with these verses added: 

When I was a seeker
I sought both night and day.
I ask the Lord to help me,
An’ He showed me the way.

He made me a watchman
Upon the city wall, 
An’ if I am a Christian
I am the least of all.

These two verses are well worth singing as well don’t you think?

As I consider these last two verses I”m struck by the thought of how we can’t do anything unless God shows us the way first.  We can’t tell what we don’t know.  We can’t do a job we haven’t been given.  God is the one who sent his son, to give us a message, and then a job.  Go, Tell.  The nations, everyone around us, he did that.  His job, his mission, for us to carry out.

Are you doing the job he’s given you?

Angels From the Realms of Glory

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Oh, I think everyone knows this song don’t they?  Angels from the realms of glory.  I have written on this hymn in the past but it’s worth sharing again don’t you think?  I am not familiar with all the verses listed in the lyrics below, but many hymnals shorten hymns to the most common verses. 

Angels from the realms of glory

Lyrics

Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.

Refrain

Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn king.

Shepherds, in the field abiding,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;
Yonder shines the infant light:

Refrain

Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
Ye have seen His natal star.

Refrain

Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear.

Refrain

Sinners, wrung with true repentance,
Doomed for guilt to endless pains,
Justice now revokes the sentence,
Mercy calls you; break your chains.

Refrain

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:

Refrain

All creation, join in praising
God, the Father, Spirit, Son,
Evermore your voices raising
To th’eternal Three in One.

Refrain

Author of Angels from the Realms of Glory

Born in Scotland, James Montgomery, he was the son of a pastor.  He was sent to school to also enter the ministry, but failed in his studies. Over time he became a newspaperman.  He even ended up in prison twice on charges of sedition.  The second time he was incarcerated he wrote a book of poems called Prison Amusements. 

He wasn’t the greatest newspaperman, and eventually he sold his paper.  This didn’t stop him from continuing to write poetry. He also turned his hand to writing hymns and expected to be remembered best for that work.  This particular hymn was first featured in the Sheffield Iris in 1816 though it wasn’t really sung in churches until 1825. 

Hail to the Lord’s Anointed is another one of his songs that I have featured. 

Ponderings

Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.

Isn’t that a neat verse?  Can’t you just see it?  Angels zipping through the skies loudly proclaiming God’s love for the world? 

Makes me think… do we zip around proclaiming the wonders of the things God has done?  From his works of creation, to his works of salvation.  Do we take the time to talk about the wonders of God’s works? 

Shepherds, Sages, Saints, Sinners… the angels go to them all.  Do we?  Or are we selective in who we talk to? Let’s be part of creation eh?

All creation, join in praising
God, the Father, Spirit, Son,
Evermore your voices raising
To th’eternal Three in One.

Present Yourself

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When I say Miss Kate’s word prompt post I thought two things. First, I wonder if she means present (the gift) or present (make an offering).  And second, because I know I’ve thought the first before,  I’m pretty sure we’ve done this word in the past… and we have!  My presentation today will be different than that last time though. At least I think so, my muse often runs differently the older I live. 🙂

Present Yourself

Present Yourself

Present yourself
A living sacrifice
Holy
Acceptable
Pleasing

Unto God.

This is what he would have
us do.

A presentation,
Prepared,
Ready.
Waiting.

Holy.

It’s hard
To see oneself
as holy in
a sin-laden world.

But called we are
to present ourselves as
holy.

Acceptable

Can you see it?
Can you see how you are
acceptable to God?

Will you then prepare
yourself?
A living sacrifice.
One given over
To a greater, better cause?

Me? Holy? Acceptable?
ME?
Could it be that
God truly sees me that way?

That one who lives
a sin-tossed life.
Accepted
as a living sacrifice
Holy and pleasing?

That my act of giving
is deemed
Spiritual worship?

It seems hard to see believe.
Yet, that is the
calling placed.

Present yourself
A living sacrifice.
Holy.
Acceptable.
Pleasing unto God.

present yourself

Biblical Inspiration

Romans 12:1

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Ephesians 5:1-2

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Philippians 2:5-9

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,

Free Advent Devotionals

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The crew challenge this month is preparing our hearts for December.  I was giving some thought to that and isn’t that what advent is all about? Preparing our hearts for the coming of the Lord. Now, our Lord has come.  This sent me on the search for free advent devotionals.

I got to thinking, so if we believe in him, do we need to prepare our hearts for his coming?  After all, it’s like we’re preparing our hearts for something we already possess.   Imagine though for a moment: little ones needing to see the wonder of Christmas, the need for a Son of God to be born, for the hope we hold and why we hold it. Can you see the importance to introduce our littles who don’t know?  Sometimes though, we as adults need to remember it as well, don’t you find?   

Affiliate links will be used in this post. 

free advent devotionals

Family Devotionals

Sharing devotions as a family gives food for children, youth, and parents.  Some devotionals give questions to ask, or points to ponder, prayers to read together.  They are a great way to introduce children to doing their own devotions.  Some you might want to consider this year that are free:

I shared last week that we’ll be doing the Joy to the World Advent Devotional from DesiringGod.org.   

joy to the world advent

Children’s Devotionals

For years I bought the advent calendars from Lego.  They gave my lad something to make/do as I read from a devotional.  I was looking on Amazon this year and I was SO tempted by some of the new calendars they have.   They have a Harry Potter one (which honestly I had a mixed opinion of as I loved most of the Harry Potter novels, but mixing them with an advent devotions doesn’t read right to me).  The Thomas and Friends one brought back happy memories of playing trains with my lad.  This Hot Wheels one my lad would have adored as a 5-6 year old!  

And what sort of devotionals worked?  

When he was younger we did a lot of reading bible verses and just talking about them.  One of my joys was introducing him to an advent wreath and talking through the candles each week.  My mom did this when I was a child.  Nothing as fancy as an advent ring, we had candle holders made from potatoes wrapped in foil.  

As he grew older he participated in church with the advent readings we did in there, and we followed that up by talking at home.   

Occasionally we’d use free devotionals such as these

free advent devotionals

Adult Advent Devotionals

Perhaps you don’t have children, or you have teenage or adult children living in your house.  You might find thesefree devotions suit your household better. 

Do you know of any other free advent devotionals for family, children or adults?   Let’s share the resources that are out there. 

November 2020

Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine

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I originally posted about this song on my previous blog.  I’m gradually moving things over here and rewriting thoughts a bit. Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine is a wonderful song that speaks well to the hope that is within us.  This hope that the first week of Advent speaks to. We have a hope that is also a surety.  Let’s learn more shall we?

Blessed assurance Jesus is mine

Lyrics

Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Refrain

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Refrain

Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Refrain

Author and History

This is noted by some as Fanny Crosby’s most popular song.  She has some 8000 hymn texts to her name. Fanny started writing hymns as a young child.  She was made blind by an eye infection and poor medical treatment as a six week old baby.  This did not stop her from growing up to be a happy child.  She attended the New York Institution for the Blind where she was encouraged in her poetic endeavors.  She wrote many poems and her first published work was The Blind Girl and Other Poems.  Britannica has written a nice piece about this prolific author. 

According to Wikipedia, Ms. Crosby was visiting her friend Phoebe Knapp as they there having a pipe organ installed. The organ wasn’t finished yet so Ms. Knapp played a melody she had just completed.  When she finished she asked Fanny “What do you think the tune says”?  Crosby replied “blessed assurance, Jesus is mine”. 

Hymntime mentioned an interesting story about men during the war and this song Blessed Assurance.    She also wrote Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross.

Ponderings

Is it your story?   To have that assurance of salvation and to be able to look forward to Christ’s return?  Oh, to be able to have that assurance of saying Jesus is mine.  Can you think of anything better than knowing Jesus’ mercy applied to yourself? 

What really sticks out though are these words

Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Hope is such a wonderful thing isn’t it? 

May The Mind of Christ My Savior

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Did you know I almost forgot to post a hymn this Sunday!  Shocking isn’t it?  🙂  Anyways, I found this hymn May the mind of Christ my Savior in my hymnal Lift up Your Hearts. I know this hymn well enough to sing along with it easily, but not so well that I know all the words. 

may the mind of Christ our saviour

Lyrics

May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His power.

May the peace of God my Father
Rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing,
This is victory.

May I run the race before me,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me,
As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel,
Seeing only Him.

Author and History

Katie Barclay Wilkinson wrote this lovely hymn, and Ar­thur C. Bar­ham-Gould wrote the music to go with it.   Wilkinson was born in London, England in 1859.  She married Frederick Barclay Wilkinson and was a member of the Church of England.

She worked with young girls and women, and died nine years before her husband.  Little more in known about her, she is primarily remembered for this one hymn that she wrote. 

Ponderings

Do you mean when you sing the words “may the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day”?  Do you really want him to control all you do and say?  

Honestly, I read those words and I think… do I really want that?  Do I want Christ controlling all I do and say?  How much of ME do I want to give up?

I suppose it’s a silly question because I WANT God to be my all in all, but when I really stop and think about it…. I really like the illusion of making all my own choices in way.   To decide how I want to raise my bunnies, or talk to my lad, or decide to attend church in person, or just online.  

But as I consider this I think hmm… I like doing church online because it’s easy, cost-effective, I can sing as loud as I want, and I don’t have to wear a silly mask. Hubby and I were talking tonight and he said “I don’t care one way or the other”, and I found myself saying “I’d rather go to church”.  Funny that eh?  How God has taken this “I don’t need to go in person” person to someone who wants to go despite the restrictions it brings.  That’s the power of his love at work.  That gradual assertion of his will in my life.

Don’t you find that true in your own life? Jesus’ love gradually helps us overcomes our own obstacles influencing us in ways we don’t always know until we stop to think about it. 

may the mind of Christ my saviour