Go Tell it on The Mountain

 Luke 2:15-17 . . . .  the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 

[16] And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 

[17] And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

The shepherds met Jesus, were saved, and were changed forever. 

They went back to their sheep, but as they went, they told everyone they met what they had heard and seen and what the Lord had done for them. 

Jesus changes every life He saves, 2 Cor. 5:17. He gives us a new song, Psa. 40:1-3. He makes us witnesses of His saving grace, Acts 1:8.

Go Tell it on The Mountain

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CHORUS:

Go tell it on the mountain, — over the hills and everywhere; — go tell it on the mountain    —    that Jesus Christ is born!

While shepherds kept their watching     —    o’er silent flocks by night,     —    behold throughout the heavens    —    there shone a holy light.

The shepherds feared and trembled    —    when lo! above the earth    —    rang out the angel chorus    —    that hailed our Savior’s birth. 

Down in a lowly manger    —    the humble Christ was born,    —    

and God sent us salvation    —    that blessed Christmas morn.

Anonymous/Unknown  1907

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

Beautiful Star of Bethlehem

 Leaving home and family, three wise men spent two years following a star, searching for a young King. 

Matthew 2:10-11 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 

[11] And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

These wise men received back far more than they gave away. 

That is always the way with God. Nobody can ever out give Him. 

Many try, but those who do find Him to be over abundant in His supply.

Beautiful Star of Bethlehem

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Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, —  Shining afar through shadows dim, —  Giving the light to those who long have gone. — Guiding the Wise Men on their way   —    Unto the place where Jesus lay.   —    Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine on.

CHORUS:

Oh Beautiful Star (Beautiful, Beautiful Star)   —    Of Bethlehem (Star of Bethlehem), — Shine upon us until the glory dawns. —  Give us the light to light the way   —    Unto the land of perfect day,   —    Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine on.

Beautiful Star the hope of light,   —    Guiding the pilgrims through the night — Over the mountains 'til the break of dawn. —  Into the light of perfect day, —  It will give out a lovely ray.   —    Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine on.

Beautiful Star the hope of rest — For the redeemed, the good and the blessed — Yonder in glory when the crown is won. — Jesus is now that star divine; — Brighter and brighter He will shine. — Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine on.

R. Fisher Boyce  1938

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

Away in a Manger

 Luke 2:7  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

The King of Kings was born in a feeding trough because there was no room in the inn!

Baby Jesus was born to die for the salvation of the soul of man.

Every lamb, ram, goat, bird, etc., that had been sacrificed down through the ages pointed to this special birth.

Away in a Manger

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Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,  —   The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.  —   The stars in the bright 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 till morning is nigh.

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 take us to heaven to live with thee there.

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

The First Noel

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

I love the Nativity Scenes displayed in the Christmas plays over the years. The problem is who is missing from it.

Think about it. The angels, shepherds, and wise men are portrayed as worshippers of the Lord Jesus and that’s about as far as our minds go. 

We come away with the impression that Jesus died for people who love Him. But there’s more.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The ignorant of God who live for themselves, the dead, the deceived, the depraved, and the doomed (Eph. 2:1-4) are the “whosoevers” Jesus came to earth to save (Rom. 10:13).

“Thank you, Heavenly Father, for sending us the best gift, your only Son to die for our sins.”

The First Noel

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The first Noel the angels did say    —   Was to certain poor shepards in fields as they lay:    —   In fields where they lay keeping their sheep    —   On a cold winter's night that was so deep.

CHORUS:

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel    —   Born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star    —   Shining in the east beyond them far    —   And to the earth it gave great light    —   And so it continued both day and night.

And by the light of that same star    —   Three Wise men came from country far  — To seek for a King was their intent  — And to follow the star wherever it went.

This star drew nigh to the northwest    —   O'er Bethlehem it took its rest    —   And there it did both stop and stay    —   Right o'er the place where Jesus lay.

Then entered in those Wise men three,    —   Fell rev-‘ren-tly upon their knee, — And offered there in His presence —  Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.

Then let us all with one accord    —   Sing praises to our heavenly Lord  — That hath made heaven and earth of nought — And with his blood mankind has bought.

Traditional English Carol

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

Angels We Have Heard on High

Luke 2:9,11,13-14  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 

[11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 

[13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 

[14] Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Rome had given the world peace from war. 

Jesus came to give man peace with God and peace within; John 14:27, Phil. 4:6.

That's enough to praise Him forever!

Angels We Have Heard On High

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Angels we have heard on high,    —   sweetly singing o'er the plains,    —   And the mountains in reply    —   Echo back their joyous strains:

CHORUS:

Glo — — — — ri-a, in excelsis Deo!

Glo — — — — ri-a, in excelsis Deo!

(“Excelsis Deo is Latin for "Glory to God in the highest".)

Shepherds, why this jubilee?    —   Why your joyous strains prolong?    —  Say, what say the tidings be    —  which inspire your heav'nly song?

Come to Bethlehem and see    —   Him whose birth the angels sing;  — Come, adore on bended knee  — Christ the Lord, the new-born King.

See within a manger laid    —   Jesus, Lord of heav’n and earth!    —   Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,    —   With us sing our Savior's birth.

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

Silent Night

Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Imagine the same God who made the universe and all the treasures found within that universe came into this world as a little Baby.  

His humble birth signified the kind of life Jesus would live here.  

At one point He had no place to call home, Matt. 8:20.  When He died, others provided the place and the things necessary for His burial, John 19:38-42.

It’s hard for me to comprehend. 

Silent Night! Holy Night!

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Silent night, holy night — All is calm, all is bright  —  Round yon virgin Mother and Child,   —    Holy infant so tender and mild.   —    Sleep in heavenly peace;   —    Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night!   —    Shepherds quake at the sight!   —    Glories stream from heaven afar;   —    Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!   —    Christ the Savior is born!   —    Christ the Savior is born!

Silent night, holy night   —    Son of God, love's pure light,   —    Radiant beams from Thy holy face — With the dawn of redeeming grace. — Jesus, Lord at Thy birth   —    Jesus, Lord at Thy birth

Joseph Mohr  1818

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

 Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 

[14] Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Though this song was written shortly after the Civil War, it brought to mind the chaos of year 2020.  

Seems the only peace on earth is the peace in the hearts of believers. 

There will be peace on all the earth when Jesus forever reigns. 

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

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I heard the bells on Christmas Day    —    Their old familiar carols play,    —    And wild and sweet the words repeat    —    Of peace of earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,    —    The belfries of all Christendom    —    Had rolled along th'unbroken song    —    Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:    —    "There is no peace on earth," I said, — "For hate is strong, and mocks the song — Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:    —    "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;    —    The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,    —    With peace on earth, good will to men."

Then ringing, singing on its way,    —    The world revolved from night to day,    —    A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,    —    Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Henry W. Longfellow. 1865

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.