To help us kick off the celebration of the birth of Christ, I want to share our sermon from this past Sunday. Our pastor hit it out of the park and I wish everyone could hear the brilliance of his message. I wanted to give a standing ovation but didn’t feel brave enough to do so. His message starts at 27 minutes and I pray that it will help to prepare your heart for the wonders of Christmas:
I also want to share one of my favorite Christmas songs. Sadly, this song is not available on any music app so that it cannot be added to a playlist. Please enjoy the YouTube version and the lyrics:
I've heard about this baby boy
Who's come to earth to bring us joy
And I just want to sing this song to you
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
With every breath, I'm singing Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
A couple came to Bethlehem
Expecting child, they searched the inn
To find a place, for You were coming soon
There was no room for them to stay
So in a manger filled with hay
God's only Son was born, oh, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
The shepherds left their flocks by night
To see this baby wrapped in light
A host of angels led them all to You
It was just as the angels said
"You'll find Him in a manger bed"
Immanuel and Savior, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
A star shone bright, up in the east
To Bethlehem, the wise-men three
Came many miles and journeyed long for You
And to the place at which You were
Their frankincense and gold and myrrh
They gave to You and cried out Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
I know You came to rescue me
This baby boy would grow to be
A man and one day die for me and you
My sins would drive the nails in You
That rugged cross was my cross too
Still every breath You drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
This is most wonderful! Listening to this is a great way to start the day.
I haven't listened to the song Hallelujah but based upon the words it appears to be An adaptation of Leanord Cohen original hallelujah which was about democracy....some of it verbatim, the fourths and fifths refers to the struggle to put music in the song, which occurs in intervals of fifths, fourths, etc