Hymns & Homilies based on Luke 2:1–7.
I. “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)”
Hymn #127:1–2, 4–5 – “I Am So Glad When Christmas Comes”
1. I am so glad when Christmas comes,
The night of Jesus’ birth,
When Bethl’em’s star shone as the sun
And angels sang with mirth.
2. The little Child of Bethlehem,
The King of heav’nly grace,
Came down from His exalted throne
To save our fallen race.
4. I too would sing my Savior’s praise,
My joy, my crown, my Lord;
For He has made me His own child
By Water and the Word.
5. I love this precious Christmas eve
And my dear Savior mild,
And I shall not forget the truth:
He loves me as His child.
II. “And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)”
Hymn #137 – “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
1. 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.
2. For Christ is born of Mary,
And, gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wond’ring love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth!
And praises sing to God the King,
And peace to all on earth.
3. How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still,
The dear Christ enters in.
4. O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Immanuel!
III. “To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.”
Hymn #113: 1–2, 4 – “A Great and Mighty Wonder”
1. A great and mighty wonder,
A full and holy cure:
The Virgin bears the Infant
With virgin honor pure!
Refrain:
Repeat the hymn again:
“To God on high be glory
And peace on earth to men!”
2. The Word becomes incarnate
And yet remains on high,
And cherubim sing anthems
To shepherds from the sky.
(Refrain)
4. Since all He comes to ransom,
By all be He adored,
The Infant born in Bethl’em,
The Savior and the Lord.
(Refrain)
IV. “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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.”
Hymn #145:1–2 – “What Child Is This?”
1. 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 shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!
2. Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear; for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you;
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!