Psalm 98:4-6

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;

make music to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of singing,
with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—
shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

If you are ever riding in the car with me and it’s November, you may just end up hearing Christmas music playing through my sound system. Growing up, we would listen to Christmas music during the week of Thanksgiving as we traveled to our cabin in South Carolina. Alabama and Kenny Rogers Christmas albums would play up and down the interstate. Now XM radio starts to play Christmas music soon after Halloween, just like Hallmark starts to play Christmas movies right after Halloween. ‘Tis the season my friends!

I absolutely love Christmas music and I listen to all kinds by various artists. It’s amazing how a certain song can transport you back in time, or pull on your heartstrings instantly. Music is very moving to me.

This year the children are singing Chris Tomlin’s – It’s Christmas at the 5 p.m. Christmas Eve service. Well for me this is a song that gets stuck in my head instantly. It’s some of our favorite Christmas songs with a little extra chorus. Here are the lyrics:

Away in a manger no crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus laid down
His sweet head, the stars in the sky
Looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes
But little Lord Jesus, no crying
He makes, I love Thee Lord Jesus!
Look down from the sky and stay
By my cradle til morning is nigh

It’s Christmas!
The angels are singing
And I know the reason,
the Savior is born
It’s Christmas!
The bells are ringing
And I feel like shouting
Joy to the world!

Be near me, Lord Jesus I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever and love me I pray
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care
And fit us for heaven
To live with Thee there

It’s Christmas!
The angels are singing
And I know the reason,
the Savior is born
It’s Christmas!
The bells are ringing
And I feel like shouting
Joy to the world!

Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere!
Go, tell it on the mountain that
Jesus Christ is born!

It’s Christmas!
The angels are singing
And I know the reason,
the Savior is born
It’s Christmas!
The bells are ringing
And I feel like shouting
Joy to the world!

Friends, it’s Christmas! The angels are singing, and I know the reason, the Savior is born. It’s Christmas, the bells are ringing, and I feel like shouting. Joy to the world!

I pray you all had a very Merry Christmas. May your New Year be filled with good health, joy, hope, and blessings from our Lord and Savior. God bless you all! Keep sharing the message of Christmas all throughout the year!

Prayer

Joy to the World, the Lord has come. Thank You Lord for the joy that Christmas brings. Help us to keep that joy in our hearts all year long. Help us to be like the angels singing that Jesus Christ is born. Amen.