Good Christian Men Rejoice

Artwork:
The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci, (1498) is a mural painted between 1494 and 1498 in the Refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milano, Italy and represents the “Last Supper” between Jesus and His disciples. It depicts the dramatic scene described in several closely connected moments in the Gospels. Rejoicing with Jesus at the victory He was securing, we also rejoice at His incarnation and entry into the world.

Carol Text: Richard Pearsall, 1837;
Carol Melody: Heinrich Seuse, 1328
Piano accompaniment by Lezlie Taguding

Good Christian men rejoice
With heart and soul and voice
Give ye heed to what we say
News news
Jesus Christ is born today
Ox and ass before Him bow
And He is in the manger now
Christ is born today
Christ is born today

Good Christian men rejoice
With heart and soul and voice
Now ye hear of endless bliss
Joy joy
Jesus Christ was born for this
He has opened heaven’s door
And man is blessed evermore
Christ was born for this
Christ was born for this

Good Christian men rejoice
With heart and soul and voice
Now ye need not fear the grave
Peace peace
Jesus Christ was born to save
Calls you one and calls you all
To gain His everlasting hall
Christ was born to save
Christ was born to save

“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.”

- John 3:16

Advent Devotional


As we saw yesterday, God’s love for the lost and rebellious people of His world was so great that He gave the One who was dearest to Him to rescue us from our sins and give us eternal life. God took the initiative; He took the first step. For while we were still dead in our trespasses and sins and not seeking God, He sent His Son Jesus to seek and save us by giving His life as a ransom for our sins (Mark 10:25). Out of love for the Father and compassion for His lost sheep, Jesus willingly came to earth and laid down His life for us on the cross (John 10:17-18). Jesus is the concrete demonstration of God’s love for needy sinners.

But God’s forgiveness and gift of eternal life are not automatic and they cannot be earned. They are gifts which must be received, and we do this by believing in Jesus. The first step in believing is gaining the knowledge that he was God’s Son, who died to pay for our sins and rose again from the dead. Many people believe at this level. But while this is necessary, it is not sufficient. True saving faith requires that we also assent to those facts and then put our trust in Jesus as our Savior and Lord, bringing “joy unspeakable” (1 Pet. 1:8 KJV).

Good Christian men rejoice With heart and soul and voice Now ye hear of endless bliss Joy joy Jesus Christ was born for this He has opened heaven’s door And man is blessed evermore Christ was born for this Christ was born for this.

Prayer

Thank You Father for taking the initiative,
for reaching out to me and
demonstrating
Your abundant mercy and lavish love.
Thank You for
offering Your only Son to bear
the penalty and weight of my sin upon

the cross. I believe in what He did for me.
I put my faith in Jesus as my

Savior. Help me to follow Him
day by day as my Lord.


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Thomas A. Tarrants

Thomas A. Tarrants is President Emeritus of the C.S. Lewis Institute. After serving twelve years as president and nine years as vice President, he retired from his position as Vice President for Ministry and Director, Washington Area Fellows Program, with CSLI in June 2019. He holds a Masters of Divinity Degree, as well as a Doctor of Ministry Degree in Christian Spirituality. Tom is an ordained minister in the Evangelical Church Alliance and a member of the Evangelical Theological Society. He spends his time writing, mentoring, consulting and traveling. His life story is told in Consumed by Hate, Redeemed by Love, published by Thomas Nelson Publishers.

 

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