O Come all ye faithful

O Come all ye faithful Advent Devotional 2017

O Come all ye faithful O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem. Come and behold Him, Born the King of Angels; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. The word Advent means Coming. During the season of Advent, we prepare for the coming of Christ. We watch, wait, prepare, and pray. We prepare ourselves for something different. We prepare ourselves for something new. O Come, All Ye Faithful is an Advent devotional collaboration of Our Savior s Lutheran Church. This devotional serves as both a daily discipline of prayer and devotion but also as an invitation into what God is doing in the world. I would like to thank all of the contributors of this publication who shared some of their favorite Christmas songs and why they are meaningful. I am always incredibly thankful for all of you! Come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant as we enter into this Advent season. Pastor Joe Johnson

Sunday, December 3 The Tension of Advent Pastor Keith Zeh Director of Evangelical Mission Eastern North Dakota Synod Advent is a time of preparation for receiving anew God coming to us in the flesh as the new born babe Jesus, our Lord. One of the most wonderful ways to prepare for such awesomeness is to pray. Prayer and preparation go hand in hand. I came across a special prayer written by the Rev. Jerry Chisma, a United Methodist pastor. May this prayer be among the prayers we pray. Oh Immanuel, God with us, truly in this Advent season we celebrate that you are not hidden in some faraway cloud, but you chose to be with us in the blur and mystery of our lives. In the midst of lists and rush, you are with us as a song that echoes in our minds, as the light of a candle, as a card from a friend. They are signs of your presence. We turn to you this season and pray that you would birth joy and healing, blessing and hope in us. Let something wonderful begin in us something surprising and holy. May your hand be upon us. Let your love fill us. Let your joy overwhelm us. Let our longing for you be met on a coming holy night. Immanuel with us once again. Amen. Monday, December 4 The Whole World is Changing Tonight Pastor Joe Johnson The voice of one cries out in the night The sound echoes alone Off in the distance were sheep and a shepherd And the voice was calling them home The stars in the sky lit up the night The star caused many to fear The voice of one, proclaiming the Son Is the One that called all of us here (Chorus) The voice of the angels is singing on high And the voice of one becomes two I was feeling alone, now I m feeling alright cause the whole world is changing tonight The whole world is changing tonight In a tiny stable on the outskirts of town Born unto us tonight Is the light of the world, and the light of my life The darkness can t overcome the light (chorus) One of my favorite biblical characters is John the Baptist. The voice of one crying out, Prepare the way of the Lord (John 1:23). I m always amazed at how the voice of one becomes two, two becomes a multitude of angels, and the multitude of angels becomes a chorus. Now, here we are 2000 years later and we are still singing the songs about Jesus!

Tuesday, December 5 The Bells of Christmas Molly The bells of Christmas chime once more; the hea nly guest is at the door. He comes to earthly dwellings still with new year gifts of peace, good will. I like the verse of this song because it symbolizes the start of the new year with peace and good will. Also, I live in town and hear the bells every hour, which reminds me of this song. This song reminds me of Christmas and how it is the most magical time of the year with family, friends, and, of course, God. Wednesday, December 6 What Child is This? Karen Alfson What child is this, who laid to rest, on Mary s lap is sleeping? Who angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping. This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherd guard and angels sing; Haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary. When I was in junior high, one of my Sunday School teachers asked me to sing, What Child Is This? in our program. After I finished my solo, the teacher said that I should maybe stick with playing and accompanying on the piano. It s still a pretty hymn! Thursday, December 7 Take My Life, That I May Be Brayden Take my life, that I may be consecrated, Lord, to thee; Take my moments and my days; l et them flow in ceaseless praise. I like this verse because it has a meaning about life and how precious life is. I think the song is good and that you should spend every second of yours having fun. You should spend it as if you are a child so you don t feel old. Your life and the life of your family is how you spend it so don t separate yourself from them. You should treat them how you want to be treated. If you abandon them, they might forget about you, and they might not let you come back into their lives if you treated them badly. But if they do let you back into their lives, you should be grateful that they let you back so treat them with respect. Friday, December 8 Let It Snow Greggy Our Savior s, Hillsboro Oh, the weather outside is frightful But the fire is so delightful And since we ve no place to go Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow I like this verse because I love winter, Christmas, the snow, and spending time with my family. I like it when it

is cold outside, but inside the house is warm with a fire burning, or I might sit with my family watching movies, or I might be making cookies with my niece and nephew for Santa. I love snowmobiling and going to the ice rink and spending time with friends. I love the feeling of coming in from the cold and drinking hot chocolate and also like building snowmen with my little cousins and my niece and nephews. Saturday, December 9 We Are Family Kollin Everyone can see we re together as we walk on by And, and we fly just like birds of a feather I won t tell no lie All, all of the people around us they say Can they be that close Just let me state for the record We re giving love in a family dose. I like this song because we are together as a family for Christmas. The verse talks about how they don t care what people think of them together. It also says that they are as close as a bird s feathers. I like that because it is about how close they are and how hard it is to pull them apart. It states at the end that we re giving love in a family dose. That means they show love as a family. Sunday, December 10 Joy to the World Anna Spokely Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let Earth receive her king; let ev ry heart prepare him room and heav n and nature sing, and heav n and nature sing, and heav n, and heav n and nature sing. I like this song not just for the great tune but for the wonderful lyrics. The lyrics talk about how Jesus has come, and everyone is telling people to prepare for Jesus. To make room because our Lord has arrived. People are traveling miles and miles to meet this baby because he is so special. This is why Joy to the World is one of the best Christmas songs.

Monday, December 11 Mary Did You Know? Beth Christianson-Melby Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man? Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand? Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod? And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God. The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb The melody of this song is so beautiful. It speaks of a little baby who would change the world. It foreshadows the great sacrifice of Jesus, and to possibly a greater extent, the sacrifice that Mary, Jesus mother, made of her first born. I sang this song on Christmas Eve nine years ago. I was accompanied by my sister on piano and my nephew on the guitar. It was the first time we had all performed together and it was beautiful, and fun, and a gift to be able to play with my family. It was also the last Christmas that I spent with my dad. The memory of looking down from the balcony at my family that night, of being together, of worshipping together was the gift that I got that Christmas - probably the best one I ve ever gotten, save one. Mary s gift to all of us was her son. She gave the world her baby boy, who she cuddled, and loved, and kissed. Who she would later see beaten, and scorned, and nailed to a cross to die in unimaginable suffering. The extreme pain of her loss is almost palpable in the haunting melody of this beautiful song. Her sacrifice, gave us the promise of forever...no more pain, no more suffering, all the questions of this world answered one day. Can you imagine a more precious gift? Tuesday, December 12 Jesus, What a Wonderful Child Jensyn Jesus, Jesus Oh what a wonderful child Jesus, Jesus So lowly meek and mild New life, new hope, new joy He brings Won t you listen to the angels sing Glory, glory, glory To the new born King I love this song because it symbolizes God. We all gather around the Christmas tree as a family to celebrate Jesus birth just like the shepherds and wisemen did when he was born. In the song it mentions that the tree branches are beautiful, and in my mind it is saying how beautiful each and every one of us is as individuals. Also, I like opening presents and spending time with my family. The main reason why I like this song

is the tempo of the music. Yes, I know that isn t very church related, but just the way the song goes really does remind me of something you would sing in church, and they do sing it in church. One of my favorite lyrics in the song is new life, new hope, the child will bring. When I see and listen to this, it reminds me that there could always be a change, and God will never give up on you or me. That is why this song is so special to me. Wednesday, December 13 The Little Drummer Boy Amanda Johnson Education Director Mary nodded Pa rum pum pum pum The ox and lamb kept time Pa rum pum pum pum I played my drum for Him Pa rum pum pum pum I played my best for Him Pa rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum Then He smiled at me Pa rum pum pum pum Me and my drum Choirs, performing groups, and Christmas pageants were a huge part of my childhood. Growing up my sister and I started singing in public when I was in third grade. Our performing group would do two or three shows a weekend all December long. When I graduated high school and moved on to our local community college, I was thrilled to make it into the coveted Citrus Singers choir. The Citrus Singers performed frequently but the Christmas season was a whole different beast. Our performances were paid and made the college, as well as ourselves, a good chunk of Christmas cash. We took advantage of this holiday patronage and sang at every office holiday party, Christmas gala, or grand opening we could find. This resulted in five or even six shows a week, sometimes performing two or three times a day. After the years of Christmas music, and countless renditions of Here we come a caroling the experiences have blend together. There is, however, a time in each performance I have always treasured. We sang most songs in six-part harmony and the Little Drummer Boy was no exception. At this point in every show we would move from our horse shoe choir shape, to the audience. As a group we would span the room, polka dotting an alto here, and maybe a base there, a first soprano to your right and a baritone a few yards away. We sang the Little drummer boy as a group, and as individuals, finding a blend and using our power as one entity.

Depending on how you listened you would here the base Brum, brum, brum, brum or a soprano Come they told him. It was beautiful to feel confidence in my own voice, yet strength as a group. Now as I work in the church, still constantly surrounded by Christmas songs, I am reminded of Jesus s power on his own to wash away our sins, and the grace I have in him. Then just like my fellow choir members I find a sense of camaraderie in my Church community and home. Making a beautiful sound for God, through peace, love and continued grace. Thursday, December 14 O Little Town of Bethlehem Pastor Julie Johnson O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by; yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. Bethlehem was a small town; not much ever happened in Bethlehem. It wasn t an important religious center for the Israelites. It wasn t on a major trade route. It wasn t a growing metropolis with a bustling business section. No, it was just a quiet town south of Jerusalem. Maybe it was about the size of Hillsboro. Wow! Did things ever change when a census was called, and many travelled back to their home town of Bethlehem. The hotels, motels, and inns were filled. The bed and breakfast businesses were full. The campgrounds were full. Bethlehem was bursting at its seams, like Sturgis, SD, during an annual motorcycle rally. Yet, it was here that an event happened that changed the history of humanity and the history of the world forever. Jesus was born in Bethlehem. We must not discount a town because of its size because God s people live there. Jesus lives in the hearts of God s faithful people. When Jesus Spirit is alive and on the loose in Hillsboro and in other communities, things happen. Hope arrives and fears are quieted. We must not discount a person because of size because Jesus doesn t not discount a person because of size nor age nor color nor any category that people can come up with. All are God s children; Jesus Spirit calls every person to quiet fears and give hope. O, little town of Hillsboro, and little children of God, Jesus loves you very much. May you radiate that love. Friday, December 15 What Child Is This? Kaitlin What child is this, who laid to rest, on Mary s lap is sleeping? Who angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping.

This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherd guard and angels sing; Haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary. Asking what child is this.we have been watching and waiting for Jesus. Whose child is this? We know who this child is. This is what Christmas is all about. It is great that Jesus is here. We, confirmation students have spent the last three years learning more about Jesus; it is great. We still have a lot more to learn about Jesus. Saturday, December 16 Silent Night Tatum Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bring r ound yon virgin mother and child. Holy Infant, so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace. I like this song because it is the song we sing on Christmas Eve when we light candles. And afterwards, I feel very relaxed. Another reason is that it is pretty common in churches, so I get to listen to it quite a bit. I also like it because I think the words kind of relate to hunting because you have to be silent while hunting. When I go out in the morning hunting, it is dark outside. And when you get done in the evening, it is dark. Sunday, December 17 O Come All Ye Faithful Cody O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant! O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold him, born the king of angels; O come, let us adore him, O come, let us Adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord! I like it because it shows how people can come together for something big, such as the birth of Christ. People can put their differences aside for a common good. I like hearing this song at church on Christmas Eve. I really gets me in the Christmas Spirit.

Monday, December 18 I Am So Glad EAch Christmas Eve (Jeg Er Saa Glad Hver Julekveld) Pastor Julie Johnson I am so glad each Christmas Eve, the night of Jesus birth! Then like the sun the star shone forth, and angels sang on earth. Every Christmas Eve, before we open gifts, any family member who has been to Norway must stand in front of the Christmas tree to sing at least the first verse of this song in Norwegian. My brothers, sisters, children, nieces and nephews sing from phonetically written words I ve written on a sheet of paper. Somehow my dad gets a pass on the singing every year even though he s been to Norway more times than all of us. This wasn t always the tradition. It started out with my Grandma Inga, my sister LeDora, and me standing in front of the Christmas tree at my parents home one year in the early 1980 s. My Grandma Inga was born in Norway, March 10, 1899, and came to the US in 1916. She, of course, could sing the song from memory. Grandma Inga would sing with much gusto each year. I can still see her closing her eyes and singing. She was back in Norway again perhaps as a child celebrating Christmas with her parents and sisters and brother. Singing this song is bitter sweet. I miss my Grandma Inga and Grandpa Pete, my mom, Aunty Doris Ann, Aunt Lorraine, Uncle Arnold who are no longer here to sing in front of the tree. This song brings back wonderful, loving memories of family, food, and love. Jesus came to help a world in need. Jesus comforts us and gives us hope

and strength to bear the grief of death; celebrating Jesus birth enables me to keep on singing. Singing a song that connects me to those who are no longer singing with me. Singing this song connects me to those who again will be standing in front of a Christmas tree in 2017 with me. Singing this song connects me to my cousins in Norway who may also be singing this same song this Christmas season but with a more excellent Norwegian pronunciation and accent. Thank you, Jesus, for this song that is woven with love and memories for me. Tuesday, December 19 O Christmas Tree Sam Preston O Christmas tree O Christmas tree, how lovely are thy branches. O Christmas tree O Christmas tree, how lovely are thy branches. Your boughs so green in summertime stay bravely green in wintertime. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, how lovely are thy branches. I love this song because it symbolizes God. We all gather around the Christmas tree as a family to celebrate Jesus birth just like the shepherds and wisemen did when he was born. In the song it mentions that the tree branches are beautiful, and in my mind it is saying how beautiful each and every one of us is as an individual. Also, I like opening presents and spending time with my family. Wednesday, December 20 Angels We Have Heard on High Sydney O Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o er the plains, and the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous straings. Gloria in excelsis Deo; gloria in excelsis Deo. This is my favorite Christmas song because our church of about 15 people sings it with all of their heart and soul, which is most definitely my most favorite part of the Christmas service. The United Methodist Church may be small, but our voices get put together into a perfect harmony. Every time I hear the song, I think of the times when I am singing with my grandma, grandpa, parents, and siblings and with the guy who sits in the pew behind us who has the lowest singing voice I have ever heard. Friday, December 22 What Child Is This? Sydney H What child is this, who laid to rest, on Mary s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping. This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherd guard and angels sing; Haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary.

I like this song because it really makes you think about who baby Jesus really is. It talks about how everyone, such as the angels and shepherds, really see him as the savior. They worship this newborn baby as if he were a king. This relates to Christmas because it is a day for us to respect him the way that the angels and shepherds had. It reminds us not to be selfish but to be selfless in the same way that Jesus was for us. It reminds us that Christmas is not about getting presents, but it is about the greatest gift we have ever been given, Jesus Christ Our Savior. Saturday, December 23 O Come, O Come Emmanuel Pastor Julie Tilberg O Come, O Come Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel Advent is a time of waiting and watching for signs of God entering our lives. This year, I ve encountered the traditional Advent hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel in a new way, appreciating its ability to speak to the diversity of human experience. One can approach singing it like a lament Psalm, demanding that God should come right now and reveal God s self... to that of singing in a full, bold, joy-overflowing REJOICE! REJOICE! sort of way. What people, situations or images come to you as you ponder the words of this hymn? Where do you see glimpses of Emmanuel (God with us) revealed? glimpses of hope, restoration, new life, immense love, generous grace, peace-filled ways? O come, O Come Emmanuel, into our hearts and minds this Advent Season. Help us to see glimpses of your presence in those around us and in those around the world. Help us to be glimpses of your presence to our neighbors nearby and far away. In Jesus name, we pray, Amen. Sunday, December 24 There s Something Going on Tonight Pastor Joe Johnson There s something going on tonight Here in the town of Bethlehem There s a baby in a manger, and a star shining bright There s something going on tonight There s something going on tonight I can feel it out here in the field There s a heavenly host of angels singing on high There s something going on tonight But I m not scared There s a peaceful loving feeling in the air Somewhere in the darkness I saw the light There s something going on tonight There s something going on tonight I saw three wisemen come in from the east They were bearing gifts to lay by his side

There s something going on tonight There is something going on tonight in this little town of Bethlehem. For unto us tonight a child is born. A Son is given. A Savior. The Messiah. There s something going on with shepherds and sheep, a baby and a manger and a star shining bright. There is something going on tonight in the birth of this baby. Unlike any other birth in the history of humankind. There is something different about this one. This birth, is the birth of LOVE This birth, is the birth of PEACE This birth, is the birth of Forgivness, Mercy, Compassion & Care This birth, is the birth of LIFE There is something going on tonight in our very own Community. The city streets are decorated. Presents are wrapped and under the tree. Kids are excited and anticipating the excitement that Christmas brings. Food has been prepared. But what makes this night special is not about decorations, presents or food. What makes tonight special in this community is the spirit of love. The spirit of peace. The spirit of forgiveness, mercy, compassion and care. There is something going on tonight in our Hearts. In the birth of this child, God is revealed. Right here right now. We no longer have to speculate, who this God is. For unto us tonight a child is born, the Savior, the Son of God. Who is this God? This is a God of LOVE This is a God of PEACE This is a God of Forgivness, Mercy, Compassion & Care This is the God. of LIFE! We have been watching waiting praying and preparing for the coming of Christ. What we have been waiting for has arrived. There is something special going on tonight!

Monday, December 25 Angels We Have Heard on High Pastor Julie Johnson Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o er the plains, and the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis Deo; gloria in excelsis Deo. It is spine chilling to sing the refrain of this hymn in unison or harmony with others whether it be a handful of singers or a sanctuary full of a couple hundred people. Singing out Gloria in excelsis deo with full voices. Gloria in excelsis deo means glory to God in the highest. It s so much fun to fill our lungs and sing toward the heavens and to sing out across the North Dakota plains. Choirs of angels sang with full voices of God s glory to some shepherds near Bethlehem. And I imagine that we join the angelic voices when we sing gloria in excelsis deo. We too are God s messengers singing and proclaiming God s glory. The Messiah is born gloria! God is faithful gloria! Christ is born gloria! Jesus is here -- gloria! God is among us -- gloria! God is with us, always gloria! Sing it out to all to hear. Sing it out to all the nations of the world. Not only sing it out, but live it. Live in the glory of God s faithfulness and love and mercy. Show the world God s faithfulness and love and mercy through your lives. GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!!

NOTES

Contributors: Pastor Keith Zeh, Director of Evangelical Mission, Eastern North Dakota Synod Pastor Julie Tillberg, Member Mayville Lutheran Senior Pastor Joe Johnson Education Pastor Julie Johnson Members of Our Savior s Lutheran Church Editor & Designer: Beth Christianson-Melby, Local Missions O Come all ye faithful is a publication of Our Savior s Lutheran Church, Hillsboro, North Dakota To order copies of Prepare..., please contact Our Savior s Lutheran Church, Hillsboro, ND at 701-636-5701 or visit OSLCHillsboro.com. OSLCHillsboro.com