Tag: season
One of the Earliest Transcripts of the Historical Christmas Story (Video)
Posted on December 25, 2014 in Theology by Nathan Cherry
If you’ve ever wondered what Christmas is all about. What the purpose of Christmas is. The “transcript” below of the first Christmas shares the inherent meaning that in inseparable from any Christmas celebration. Without the birth of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago there would be no Christmas. But because God came tow earth as a baby in order to die for the sins of mankind, we can celebrate. Not only can we celebrate today, but for those who have placed their faith in the saving, atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross, we can celebrate every day.
The following passage, and video, share the events of the first Christmas. I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and honor the true meaning of this joyous day.
Luke 2:4-14 (ESV) – 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.
10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Viral Video: Home Free Singing Their Version of a Christmas Classic
Posted on December 19, 2014 in Theology by Nathan Cherry
When rising a capella group Home Free wanted to record a video for their stirring rendition of “Angels We Have Heard on High,” they chose a church to do it. Considering the content of the song it seems a fitting backdrop. But the church takes second place to the group’s incredible vocal version of this beloved Christmas classic.
It won’t take long before the listener will understand why this video has gone mega viral in just a few shorts weeks (the video had over a million hits just two weeks after Thanksgiving). The five man group blends melodies and harmonies in what can only be described as a symphony of vocal music to create a beautiful rendition of this Christmas carol that is worth every second it takes to listen.
Songs like this are deeply embedded into our celebration of the Christmas holiday. They tell the story of what Christmas is truly all about. “Angels We Have Heard on High” tells about the angels that appeared in the skies to sing and announce the birth of Christ to the shepherds (Luke 2:8-14), and the shepherds going to see Jesus in the manger (Luke 2:15-20). It also tells of the little baby born to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). The song makes this clear in the last verse: “See Him in a manger laid, Jesus Lord of heaven and earth; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, With us sing our Savior’s birth.”
We love these Christmas songs because in the chaos that can be Christmas they remind us of the true meaning of the season and why we can even celebrate. We are remembering the day Jesus was born as a baby for the purpose of dying on the cross for our sins. These songs ground us in the truth of what Christmas is supposed to be, a celebration of Jesus. And this video by Home Free is just another version of the song that will be enjoyed for generations to come and serve that purpose. Take a few moments to listen, it will be a highlight of your day.
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