Inspired by Angels We Have Heard On High by Chris Tomlin Jesus' entrance into this world was the most humble yet the most glorified birth in human history. Humble in the sense that He was born in a room full of farm animals. Humble in the sense that His parents were Jewish with little social status. Humble in that the city He was born in was small and unimportant to the world's politics at the time. Gloria in Excelsis Deo And yet, His birth radiated glory. It was revealed to shepherds in a field by angels declaring, “Glory to God in the highest” (Luke 2:14). The glory was so bright, the shepherds went to find the source (Luke 2:15). And later, many others would do the same. Shepherds, why this jubilee?Why your joyous strains prolong?What the gladsome tidings beWhich inspire your heavenly song? It is a lesson we learn every Christmas: the God of the universe came the earth in such humility that, aside from the angels declaring His name from the heavens, He arrived almost unnoticed. We hear that and are in awe of Him even more, as the shepherds were. We acknowledge the celebration He deserved, the crown that should have been placed on His head immediately. And we are humbled by His humility. But we stop there. We forget what the details of His birth mean for us. Jesus entered the earth in the same way He enters our hearts: right in the middle of a big mess. Just like He didn't look for a palace to be His birthplace and an earthly throne His dwelling, so does He not look for clean hearts to come into of perfect people who have it all figured out. Paul explains in Romans: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He did this so that He could dwell in our hearts (Eph. 3:17). He doesn't wait until they are clean. While we were still sinners, remember? This is what He has been telling us from birth, an invitation that never expires: Come to Bethlehem and seeHim whose birth the angels singCome adore on bended kneeChrist our Lord, the new born King Based on the song Angels We Have Heard On High by Chris Tomlin. Original post by The Overflow featured on YouVersion. Hear Chris Tomlin's Angels We Have Heard On High here. To listen to a playlist of songs from this devotional on TheOverflow please visit theoverflow.com/xmas-songs

The Christmas season is one that brings the full range of human experience. For many, it is filled with all the very best things in life – family, food, gifts and more. Yet for others, it is a season when financial stress, strained relationships, absence or disappointment can be intensified. However, when the angel first announced the news of Jesus' birth to the shepherds on that starry night in Bethlehem, the message was stunningly uncomplicated: But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2.10, NIV) “Great joy for all the people” was no small claim on that first Christmas night, just as it is no small claim today. It was a promise given to people who faced real challenges that were very similar to the ones people face today. Jesus was the promise of joy that had long been prophesied and awaited. Rejoice, O people of Zion!Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!Look, your king is coming to you.He is righteous and victorious,yet He is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey's colt.Zechariah 9.9 (NLT) Today, the joyous Christmas message of Jesus, extended equally to all, is more relevant than ever. In a world where both joy and equality can be in short supply, Christmas proclaims the existence of a Saviour – the hope of all humankind – who freely offers salvation and eternal life to all that believe in Him. How can our response to this great news be anything but likewise joy-filled? Let us, this day, take our gaze off the things of this earth and place it on to the source of our joy. Let us allow this message of joy for all of humankind to simplify the Christmas season for us. And let us allow our spirits to be compelled to lift up a sacrifice of praise to God – our own gift of gratitude extended heavenwards, in celebration of the Greatest Gift of all time. So lift up your voice and sing out His praiseIt's ChristmasBorn is the King, rejoice in the dayIt's Christmas Make a joyful soundIt's ChristmasLet His praise resoundIt's Christmas Goodwill to all the earthAnd peace divineAll of the earth rejoiceIt's Christmas timeIt's Christmas time Inspired by the song Born Is The King by Hillsong Worship. Original post featured on YouVersion.

Have you ever heard of a child excited when mom or dad told them what to do? Likely not. From our youth, the common response to being given some sort of responsibility is a negative one. We might whine, ask if we really have to or pout while carrying out the orders. The funny thing is that we don't change much as adults. We mutter when our boss gives us extra work. We complain about responsibilities on the home front. When a burden is placed on our shoulders, it's understandably difficult to view it as some kind of blessing. To accomplish the will of God, we're often saddled in much the same way. We are given something to do that is often difficult, called to bear a specific load for the sake of God's kingdom. That is where the beautiful response of Mary, the mother of Jesus, serves as a powerful example for us today. In the Christmas story, Mary is given a task that surpasses any burden we could possibly carry. In fact, the very idea of carrying a child of God was impossible to comprehend. Not only was she a virgin, but she was a poor, peasant virgin at that. What would people say when she answered that the father of her baby was God? She'd be labeled insane or perhaps far worse. The angel explained to Mary that she would bear the son of God and reminded her that “no word from God will ever fail.” Mary's immediate response have become some of the most revered words in the scriptures. Not only did Mary accept the tremendous, preposterous calling placed upon her, but she went on to delight in the responsibility! In what has become known as the Magnificat or Mary's Song, the mother of Jesus praises God for the opportunity given to her. May we be humbled this Christmas season at the incredible humility and joy of Mary's response. The calling of God is indeed a gift and we see a meaningful example of that in the story of Mary. Inspired by the song Breathe Of Heaven (Mary's Song) by Amy Grant. Original post featured on YouVersion.

The songs we sing when we gather. As we prepare our hearts for Easter, Sunday Setlist features songs about the resurrection, the cross, and Jesus being alive from the grave!

Download chords, sheet music, and tracks for songs from the 2024 Sing! The Songs Of The Bible Getty Worship Conference, led by Keith & Kristyn Getty and friends. These songs are designed to deepen your congregation's engagement with Scripture, renew our hope in God's promises, and unite the church in Christ-centered worship.

It's ironic that December is always the busiest month of the year. There are gifts to be bought, trees to be trimmed, parties to be hosted and tables to be set. It seems there's never enough time to get it all done. What should be a joyful season of celebration becomes a stressful season full of unrealistic expectations and commercialism. Instead of making time for reflection, we fill our December with a string of to-do items and holiday functions, rarely even taking time to rest. Isn't that just like Satan? Robbing us of every spare minute we might have to realize the true meaning of Christmas? Yet, every year Christmas remains a call to stop, reflect, rest and stand in awe of the One it's all for. The world can get really still beneath the glow of tiny twinkling lights. And if we take the time to listen, we can hear His still, small voice telling us what it's all about. In the shadow of a steeple In a star that lights the way You will find Him in a manger The heart of Christmas has a name. He tells us to give. To laugh. To love. To remember. He calls us to marvel at the wonder that's wrapped up in a tiny newborn lying in a manger. Son of God, Son of Man. The greatest of gifts in human flesh. For you, for me, for all the world. Let's make it feel the way it used to Let's find that wonder of a child You can see the magic all around you Come on, and open up your eyes. Year after year, His message is the same: Come. Rest. Live. Love. Like a child. This Christmas, be still. Rest in His promises. Ready yourself for the New Year. Keep the ones you love close, and cherish every moment. Allow yourself to bask in the wonder of the season and experience it all through the eyes of His child. “And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'” (Matthew 18:2-4, ESV) Based on the song The Heart of Christmas by Matthew West. Original post by The Overflow featured on YouVersion.

Over the centuries, countless books and sermons have been written detailing various aspects of the Christmas story. The birth of Jesus brings meaning in so many ways, but one important understanding of the events can be found in the words of the angels to the shepherds on that glorious night. Glory to God. Peace on earth. These are the outcomes of the birth of Jesus. God receives praise and glory from those on heaven and earth for providing such an amazing gift. Creation receives the peace of God as Jesus, the very Prince of Peace, has now come to earth. These two outcomes point us to the very names for Jesus given by Isaiah in one of the most noted prophecies of the coming Savior.The very names of Jesus speak of both of these. They give praise to God and peace to men. The very presence and existence of Jesus as a human showcase a mighty God. Yet it also provides for us a wonderful counselor. Praise to God. Peace for men. To truly appreciate the Christmas season is to realize the meaning it provides in two directions: the glory and praise due to God for such an extravagant act of love and the rest and comfort we have through the gift of Jesus. May we reflect on both of these this holiday season and praise God from a place of true peace. Inspired by the song Hark The Herald Angels Sing by Jeremy Camp. Original post featured on YouVersion.

Sometimes, holidays can be really difficult. For some, the holidays are a painful reminders of loss. For some, schedules get really overwhelming. And some have really high expectations that Christmas will be the MOST wondrous day of the entire year. Sometimes, it feels like it would be really easy to become cynical and jaded about Christmas. But I know that even in our hectic culture and in every circumstance, we can still experience excitement that Christmas is just around the corner. Written around 1950, the song “Silver Bells” gives us a great opportunity to lean into the excitement of Christmas. The lyrics paint bright and joyful imagery that I love. “Children laughing. People passing, meeting smile after smile.” Jay Livingston, one of the co-writers of this song, was inspired by the bells rung by the Salvation Army volunteers “on every street corner” during the Christmas season. Those bells remind us to be generous. To be others-oriented. To count our blessings, whisper a prayer of gratitude, and share. Even though there isn't scripture cited in this song, it does capture that special feeling that I love around Christmas time. And it does remind me of a special scripture when I think about the lyrics. The "Silver Bells" in this song remind me of some other very special bells. In the 28th chapter of Exodus, we see God Himself giving detailed instructions about the design of the garments Aaron, the High Priest, was to wear when he went into God's presence in the Holy of Holies. The Lord directed that the hem of Aaron's robe have small bells sewn onto it, all the way around. Those bells would sound with every movement of the High Priest as he ministered in the presence of the Lord on behalf of the people. What a comforting sound that must have been for those standing anxiously in the outer courts of the Tabernacle. The sound of those bells sent a clear and reassuring message: “Your High Priest—your representative—is in the Father's presence ministering on your behalf. Because of the work he is doing there, you can experience forgiveness, wholeness and blessing. Everything is going to be all right.” Of course, that High Priest was a foreshadowing of the ultimate High Priest who would one day come, not only to administer the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world but to also be that sacrifice. This year, let's let the bells of Christmas remind us that our great High Priest, Jesus Christ, lives in the presence of the Father. Hear those silver bells, smile, and know that everything is going to be all right. Jesus is our most special gift this season. And, in every circumstance, that is something we can all celebrate this Christmas! Based on the song Where I Find You by Kari Jobe. Original post by Kari Jobe featured on YouVersion. Hear Kari Jobe's "Where I Find You (Christmas Edition)" here.