Christmas 3

Matthew 1:18

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Jeseph,

before they came together, she was found with the child of the Holy Ghost.

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

It came upon a midnight clear,

That glorious song of old,

From angels bending near the earth

To touch their harps of gold!

"Peace on the earth, good will to men,

From Heaven's all gracious King!"

The world in solemn stillness lay

To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come

With peaceful wings unfurled,

And still their heav'nly music floats

O'er all the weary world;

Above its sad and lowly plains

They bend on heav'nly wing.

And ever o'er its Babel sounds

The blessed angels sing.

Yet with the woes of sin and strife

The world hath suffered long;

Beneath the angel-strain have rolled

Two thousand years of wrong;

And man, at war with man, hears not

The love song which they bring.

O hush the noise, ye men of strife,

And hear the angels sing.

Matthew 1:19

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

The Gift

I saw it there beneath the tree,

A special gift for you and me.

It was not made of gold, it was not made of silver

But it shined brighter than anything, ever.

A gift that was given, with a heart full of love

A gift that came, from Heaven above.

Beneath my tree, in the manger scene

Lied a amall baby boy, the King of all kings.

-itpomh-

Matthew 1:20

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conciveid in her is of the Holy Ghost.

The Christmas Story

as told by Saint Luke:

And she brought forth her first born son,

and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,

and laid him in a manger;

because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds

abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,

and the glory of the Lord shone around about them,

and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them,

"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,

Which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you;

ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,

lying in a manger.

Matthew 1:21

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Fanciscan order the friars,

first placed the animals around the manger in 1223,

when he asked a farmer of Assisi to build a miniature manger.

Matthew 1:22

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

What Child is This?

What child is this, who, laid to rest

On Mary's lap, is speeping?

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!

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,

Come peasant, king, to own Him.

The King of kings, salvation brings,

Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Raise, raise the song on high,

The virgin sings her lullaby:

Joy, joy, for Christ is born,

The Babe, the Son of Mary!

Matthew 1:23

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

O Holy Night

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining.

It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

Till He appear'd and the sould felt His worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and cloudless morn!

Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices;

Oh night divine,

Oh night when Christ was born,

Oh night divine, Oh night, Oh night divine.

Truly He taught us to love one another.

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

chains shall He break for the slave is our brother,

And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name.

Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices,

Oh night divine,

Oh night when Christ was born,

Oh night divine, Oh night, Oh night divine.

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,

With glowing hearts by His cradle to stand;

Led by the light of the star so brightly gleaming,

Here came the wise men from Orient land;

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and cloudless morn!

Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices,

Oh night divine,

Oh night when Christ was born,

Oh night divine, Oh night, Oh night divine.

Matthew 1:24

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

Silent Night

Silent night, holy night; All is calm, all is bright,

Round yon virgin mother and child,

Holy infant so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace,

Silent night, holy night; Shepherds quake at the sight,

Glories stream from Heaven afar,

Heav'nly hosts sing "Alleluiah";

Christ the Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour is born.

Silent night, holy night; Son of God, love's pure light;

Radiant beams from Thy holy face,

With the dawn of redeeming grace;

Jesus, Lord at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.

Matthew 1:25

And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old, familiar carols play

And wild and sweet the words epeat

Of peace on eath, good-will to men!

~Longfellow~