It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
It came
upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth, To touch their harps of gold!
Peace on the earth, good will to men, From heaven’s all gracious King!
The world in solemn stillness lay, To hear the angels sing.
upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth, To touch their harps of gold!
Peace on the earth, good will to men, From heaven’s all gracious King!
The world in solemn stillness lay, To hear the angels sing.
These words were written in1849 by
Edmond Hamilton Sears, born April 6, 1819. He became an ordained pastor, but
wanted to have time to think, study, and write, so he chose small churches in
which to serve. His theme came from Luke Chapter 2, the Christmas story. The
lyrics began with the angels’ message from Heaven on High – the night Jesus was
born. This was the amazing night of the
brilliant Star, the GPS of Heaven. The army of brilliant angels brought the
message through the author of Hope and Joy – Jesus Christ.
Edmond Hamilton Sears, born April 6, 1819. He became an ordained pastor, but
wanted to have time to think, study, and write, so he chose small churches in
which to serve. His theme came from Luke Chapter 2, the Christmas story. The
lyrics began with the angels’ message from Heaven on High – the night Jesus was
born. This was the amazing night of the
brilliant Star, the GPS of Heaven. The army of brilliant angels brought the
message through the author of Hope and Joy – Jesus Christ.
When we look for a fitting setting for earth,
we do not look for angels, shepherds, and brilliant lights. How fitting that
the Creator of Heaven, Earth, and Man uses His Creation to enlighten us of the
Joy coming to all of us through Jesus Christ, the One and Only Son of God.
we do not look for angels, shepherds, and brilliant lights. How fitting that
the Creator of Heaven, Earth, and Man uses His Creation to enlighten us of the
Joy coming to all of us through Jesus Christ, the One and Only Son of God.
The first words the shepherds heard were,
“Fear Not!” and remains our message. Such love has no fear, because
perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment,
and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. I John 4:18.
“Fear Not!” and remains our message. Such love has no fear, because
perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment,
and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. I John 4:18.
The
Army of Angels, the messengers of God, relayed the message – “Peace on earth and good will to men.” As long as we place ourselves ahead of God,
our nights hold fear and our days are filled with strife.
Army of Angels, the messengers of God, relayed the message – “Peace on earth and good will to men.” As long as we place ourselves ahead of God,
our nights hold fear and our days are filled with strife.
The
essence of Christmas is the promise of our Lord Jesus Christ of living in love,
joy, and peace through patience; kindness, gentleness, and goodness always exhibiting
His faithfulness through our self-control.
essence of Christmas is the promise of our Lord Jesus Christ of living in love,
joy, and peace through patience; kindness, gentleness, and goodness always exhibiting
His faithfulness through our self-control.
The
change of how we live begins with Praise!
The Angels gave us an example that night when they praised God, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and
peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased!”
change of how we live begins with Praise!
The Angels gave us an example that night when they praised God, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and
peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased!”
The
last phrase, ‘with whom God is pleased’,
gives us a challenge. How do we please
God?
last phrase, ‘with whom God is pleased’,
gives us a challenge. How do we please
God?
Matthew
28:20 – Teach these new disciples to obey
all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always,
even to the end of the age.” This same faithfulness of Jesus is ours, and
so it is, our faithfulness pleases our Father in Heaven.
28:20 – Teach these new disciples to obey
all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always,
even to the end of the age.” This same faithfulness of Jesus is ours, and
so it is, our faithfulness pleases our Father in Heaven.
Did
Edmond Sears write these lyrics when all was at peace in the world around
him? No, people were racing to
California to participate in the Gold Rush – instant wealth from small nuggets
of gold. They left the joy of
contentment in Jesus behind in seeking the wealth of the world, instead of the
wealth and contentment of faith and hope in Jesus. The clouds of the Civil War were gathering.
Unrest filled the air.
Edmond Sears write these lyrics when all was at peace in the world around
him? No, people were racing to
California to participate in the Gold Rush – instant wealth from small nuggets
of gold. They left the joy of
contentment in Jesus behind in seeking the wealth of the world, instead of the
wealth and contentment of faith and hope in Jesus. The clouds of the Civil War were gathering.
Unrest filled the air.
Did
we look to Jesus? Each time we look into
the Heavens, day or night, what do we see?
Can we see the description of Edmund Sears wrote about in the second
verse? Can we see the angels?
we look to Jesus? Each time we look into
the Heavens, day or night, what do we see?
Can we see the description of Edmund Sears wrote about in the second
verse? Can we see the angels?
Still through
the cloven skies they come, With peaceful wings unfurled
And still their heavenly music floats, O’er all the weary world;
Above its sad and lowly plains, They bend on hovering wing.
And ever o’er its Babel sounds, The blessed angels sing.
the cloven skies they come, With peaceful wings unfurled
And still their heavenly music floats, O’er all the weary world;
Above its sad and lowly plains, They bend on hovering wing.
And ever o’er its Babel sounds, The blessed angels sing.
Seeing with our hearts
instead of what our earthly eyes behold, gives us a new perspective. Jeremiah
23:8 tells us a promise for the Jews, and this promise is ours as well. This is why Jesus came that night so long ago. Instead, they will say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the people
of Israel back to their own land from the land of the north and from all the
countries to which he had exiled them.’ Then they will live in their own land.”
instead of what our earthly eyes behold, gives us a new perspective. Jeremiah
23:8 tells us a promise for the Jews, and this promise is ours as well. This is why Jesus came that night so long ago. Instead, they will say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the people
of Israel back to their own land from the land of the north and from all the
countries to which he had exiled them.’ Then they will live in their own land.”
His righteousness is ours through being faithful to
Jesus. Faithfully, living in His Grace, ‘we are lost in the awe of righteousness’,
for Jesus lives within us.
Jesus. Faithfully, living in His Grace, ‘we are lost in the awe of righteousness’,
for Jesus lives within us.
How
do we please God, how do we delight God, how do we celebrate His Love? How can
we experience what Edmond Sears places in the last verse of this Christmas
Carol? Will we give back the Angels’ song when Jesus comes for his own?
do we please God, how do we delight God, how do we celebrate His Love? How can
we experience what Edmond Sears places in the last verse of this Christmas
Carol? Will we give back the Angels’ song when Jesus comes for his own?
For lo! the days
are hastening on, By prophet bards foretold,
When, with the ever-circling years, Shall come the Age of Gold;
When peace shall over all the earth, Its ancient splendors fling,
And all the world give back the song, Which now the angels sing.
are hastening on, By prophet bards foretold,
When, with the ever-circling years, Shall come the Age of Gold;
When peace shall over all the earth, Its ancient splendors fling,
And all the world give back the song, Which now the angels sing.
Psalm 146:1-2 – Praise the Lord! Let all
that I am praise the Lord, I will praise the Lord as long as I live.
I will sing praises to my God with
my dying breath.
that I am praise the Lord, I will praise the Lord as long as I live.
I will sing praises to my God with
my dying breath.
Romans 14:10-12
– So
why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer?
Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the
Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance
to God.’”
– So
why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer?
Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the
Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance
to God.’”
Philippians
2:9-11- Therefore, God elevated him to
the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and
under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to
the glory of God the Father.
2:9-11- Therefore, God elevated him to
the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and
under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to
the glory of God the Father.
Isaiah 12:4-5 –
In that wonderful day you will sing: “Thank the Lord! Praise his name! Tell the nations what he has done. Let them know how mighty he is. Sing
to the Lord, for he has done
wonderful things. Make known his praise around the world.
In that wonderful day you will sing: “Thank the Lord! Praise his name! Tell the nations what he has done. Let them know how mighty he is. Sing
to the Lord, for he has done
wonderful things. Make known his praise around the world.
Comments? eacombs@att.net