Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Hark the Herald Angels Sing has the wonderful Gospel Message

I love this hymn.  The words, "God and sinners reconciled" show us we receive God's forgiveness before any changes that are made in us that we somehow think will make us more acceptable to him.  Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  The whole hymn, though, is packed with the message of who Jesus is, and what he does for us.  Something I thought a bit interesting and sad, is that I noticed several of the sites have "offspring of the chosen one" instead of what I think was the original "virgin's womb."  

Have a blessed Christmas, and pray for God's help forgiving those who hurt us with their words or actions over the holidays with the forgiveness we have received from him.  

Hark the Herald Angel Sing:

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored;
Christ the everlasting Lord
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of the virgin's womb,
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with men to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild he lays his glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark!  the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King"

(Added Wednesday morning:  I got up too early this morning, so hopefully I'll find time for a nap today.  I'm going to go ahead and make a gluten free pie for our daughter, and then clean our dining room, which has become a catch all space.  I am tickled that I got the kitchen clean yesterday!

Over the last several years, our daughter, son, and daughter in law have come to our house on Christmas eve for soup.  Our son makes gumbo, and I make oyster stew, to carry on the tradition of Larry's dad.  I also make several other kinds of soup.  Tomorrow, we will take leftovers to Larry's sister's house.  My family is joining us tonight, and it will be our grandson's first Christmas. Well, I better get busy!) 

Merry Christmas!





11 comments:

  1. A hearty Merry Christmas to you Sue. I'm enjoying getting to know you. Blessings ~ Cathryn

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  2. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
    Joyeux Noël :)

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  3. Good morning Cathryn and Kiji,
    Thanks for your comments. I'm enjoying getting to know you, too Cathryn. This technology had opened up a whole new world to us, and Kiji is here from France. Imagine that!

    Merry Christmas!

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  4. Sometimes I think I sing way too many hymns mindlessly after singing them for 40 some years. It is good to pay attention to the words. Merry Christmas Sue!

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  5. Sue, It is so nice to meet you and read both your blogs. I see that we share many common interests and I look forward to visiting with you often. I know this Christmas will be really special with your new grandson. Do take lots of pictures and share with all of us. May you have a blessed Christmas.

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  6. This is also a favorite hymn of mine.
    May you and your family enjoy a Christmas filled with Peace and Joy. Blessings to you!

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  7. Hello My Friend!!!
    I love the fact that your blog title is staying connected to the vine... and your other blog is about gardening...mmmm could there be a theme there??
    I do hope you had a wonderous Christmas and pray that you are richly blessed in the coming year... so glad you stopped by... please come again!!

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  8. I do so hope you had a wonderful time having your Christmas soups and enjoying your grandson's first Christmas!

    And I love the name of your blog! Especially considering your love for gardening! I will not show you pictures of the plants in my home...sad...so sad. :)

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  9. Gumbo and oyster stew? I'll be by next year! Sounds like a wonderful tradition. I pray your Christmas morning was blessed!

    Love,
    laura

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  10. I have some of your posts. I would like to revisit.

    If you like short stories and paintings, a short visit to my blogs would be an interesting one for you.

    Naval Langa
    http://humorhumour.blogspot.com/

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  11. Pam,
    It is good to pay attention to the words of hymns. There is a whole meme on Christian songs and hymns.

    Mildred,
    I did take lots of pics. I need to edit them. Our grandson had the best time playing with the ribbon to one of his packages. It was funny!

    Connie,
    Thanks for the comment, and we are enjoying the holidays. I hope yours are blessed as well.

    Technonana,
    The morning I woke up deciding to start this blog, I had the title right away in my mind. I think I'll put something about that in my sidebar. I had been so busy with my gardening blog, that I decided on this to keep my connection with God going online, too.

    Kimberly,
    We are, or I should say, I am still eating soup. I did freeze some to take for my lunches. Larry is souped out, and did not eat any today. Yes, the title comes from my gardening, and also the need to stay connected to God. Some of my indoor plants get sad, too. I may have lost my rosemarys due to not watering them enough.

    Laura,
    I hope you and your family are well. It's no fun being sick, especially over holidays. The oyster stew turned out good, even though it was thrown together while the company had already arrived, and I didn't follow the recipe or the instructions. If I can remember, I should write down what I did so I can have it for next year.

    Have a blessed New Year!

    Sue

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