December 20: What Child Is This?

Fourth Week of Advent: Love
December 20: What Child Is This? (English) - Links & Lyrics Below

Read Luke 2:8-21

We live in a time where we have access to whatever we want within moments or two-day shipping. It is hard to imagine the anticipation that must have filled the minds of those who were waiting for the Messiah. We can quickly forget that there was a 400-year gap of silence between the prophets and the birth of Jesus. When we sing songs like What Child Is This?, we struggle to know the weight of the joy and celebration that the savior has finally come.

We can look to Luke 2:8-21 and see how the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds. They at first were fearful but quickly the angel told them of the good news for great joy that would be for all the people. That this child who was born in Bethlehem is Christ the Lord. The waiting is over and the king has come. I love the lyric from this song, The King of kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone Him.

This season we must resist the temptation to fill our schedules with busyness and instead seek to worship the King of kings. This child was born to die, so that you and I may live. Our hope is rooted in the glorious truth that Christ came to earth to reconcile God to man. May we rejoice in this glorious truth this Christmas.

Pastor Jim Peterson
Bethel Baptist - Ellison Bay


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What Child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ, the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.[Chorus]

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king to own Him.
The King of kings salvation brings;
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.[Chorus]



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