“Jesus, your king, is born! Jesus is born! In excess gloria!” Luke 2:1-20 Jean de Brébeuf, a French Jesuit missionary, went to Canada in 1625 to minister to the Huron people. At some point, he wrote a Christmas carol which we call the Huron Carol. It’s the classic Christmas story, with angelic announcements, a baby… Read more »
Posts Categorized: FUPC
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Micah 5:2 offers a message of hope amidst despair. During Micah’s time, Israel faced significant… Read more »
Comfort, Comfort, O My People
Isaiah 40:1-2 The moment most people remember from the ending of A Christmas Carol is Scrooge throwing open his bedroom window and calling jubilantly to a street urchin, learning that it is indeed Christmas Day. Often, they recall him tossing down coins so the boy can purchase the large goose in the butcher shop window… Read more »
In the Bleak Midwinter
Psalm 147:16–17 “He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes. He casts forth His ice like morsels; who can stand before His cold?” When winter settles deep around me, I often return to these words from the psalmist. They capture something both majestic and mysterious about God’s character. The snow, the frost,… Read more »
Song of Mary
Luke 1:46–55 (NRSV) And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant. Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is… Read more »
Gabriel’s Message
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. This lovely medieval Basque carol tells the story of the Angel Gabriel announcing to the Virgin Mary that she would be the mother of the Son of… Read more »
Ready the Way
Malachi 3:1-3 See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can… Read more »
The People Who Walked In Darkness
Isaiah 9:2–7 Have you ever been in a dark place? Perhaps Advent is a difficult time because of loneliness, estrangement, or bittersweet memories of Christmases past. Why do anxieties multiply in darkness, emotional or physical? The psalmist wrote I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; … Read more »
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
Luke 2:8-18 “Hark!” the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King; Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Refrain: Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King!” Charles Wesley… Read more »
Watching, Waiting, Longing
Matthew 24:36, 44 But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the son. … Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. “Are you ready for Christmas?” Wherever you are today—at the mall, at work, or having dinner with… Read more »