Carols

I was struck by some of the words from our well known carols this year during a carol service. I decided to pick some out to share, along with the words from Isaiah 11. I hope you enjoy them.

“Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.
And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
He will delight in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay.
He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked.
He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.
In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion,and a little child will lead them all.
The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together.The lion will eat hay like a cow. The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm.
Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea,so the earth will be filled with people who know the Lord. In that day the heir to David’s throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world.
The nations will rally to him, and the land where he lives will be a glorious place”.

He came down to earth from heaven who is God and Lord of all, and his shelter was a stable and his cradle was a stall ... and our eyes at last shall see him, through his own redeeming love, for that child so dear and gentle, is our Lord in heaven above. O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth ... how silently the wondrous gift is given. So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven. Angels from the realms of glory, ye who sang creations story now proclaim Messiah's birth ... God with us is now residing ... Come and worship Christ, the new-born King. 

... Men of old did the guiding star behold, ... with joy they hailed its light ... so, most gracious God, may we evermore be led to thee ... with joyful steps they sped, to that lowly manger-bed, there to bend the knee before Him whom heaven and earth adore, so may we with willing feet ever seek thy mercy-seat. In the heavenly country bright need they no created light; thou its light, its joy, its crown, show its sun which goes not down; there for ever may we sing Alleluias to our King. Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled ... Christ the everlasting Lord, veiled in flesh the Godhead see, hail the incarnate Deity! Light and life to all he brings. O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

May the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of the wise men, the faith and courage of Mary and Joseph, and the incomprehensible peace of the Christ child fill you and remain with you during this Christmas time and into the New Year. 

Ingrid x 🎄