The Fourth Before Christmas

       Do you know what great weight hangs on in the incarnation? 

       The weight of sin, redemption, and eternal life.

       Do you know what would become of us if there were no Christmas day?

       Death, eternal death for all who have sinned.

       Do you know what makes Christmas such a joyous occasion?

       Life, eternal life for all who trust in Christ.

This is the heritage of Christmas, the dawning of a new age, when "B.C." became, "Anno Domini," the year of our Lord.

This is the hope of the living and the salvation of the dead. As Jester Hairston's beautiful Carol summarizes, "Man will live forevermore, because of Christmas day."

     Once again, I turn to John Rutter for my music. You can tell what I've been listening to this Christmas season, and this won't be the last carol you hear from this album.

Long time ago in Bethlehem
So the Holy Bible say
Mary’s Boy Child, Jesus Christ
Was born on Christmas Day!

While shepherds watched their flocks by night
They saw a bright new shining star
And heard a choir from heaven sing
The music came from afar

Hark! Now hear the angels sing:
“New King’s born today
And man will live for evermore
Because of Christmas Day!”

Now Joseph and his wife Mary
Came to Bethlehem that night.
They found no place to bear her Child,
Not a single room was in sight.

Hark! Now hear the angels sing:
“New King’s born today
And man will live for evermore
Because of Christmas Day!”

By and by they found a little nook
In a stable all forlorn.
And in a manger cold and dark
Mary’s little Boy/Child was born

Trumpets sound and angels sing,
Listen to what they say!
That man will live forevermore
Because of Christmas Day!

 Man will live forevermore because of Christmas day, this is why we rejoice!

        ~ Christianna