Advent December 11, 2006
The Fragrance of Christ
Light: "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." (2 Corinthians 2:14-15)
Reflection: One of my favorite parts of Christmas is hearing music everywhere I go from Thanksgiving to New Year's. Each carol holds memories, making me reminisce about the past and focus my heart on Jesus. I hope this season you hear the music of Christmas in a new way, understanding how the scriptures reveal the prophecy of His coming, the revelation of His birth, His death, and His second coming.
"Lo How a Rose" reminds me of what we've learned in Isaiah. Remember the tender shoot? Jesus, the rose, bloomed in Bethlehem so long ago and continues to bloom in the hearts of those who receive Him. The carol reminds us that Jesus is a stem from Jesse's lineage.
Lo how a rose e'er blooming, From tender stem hath sprung,Of Jesse's lineage coming,As saints of old have sung.It came, a flower bright, amid the cold of winter,When half-spent was the night.Isaiah 'twas foretold it, The Rose I have in mind,With Mary we behold it,The virgin mother kind.To show God's love aright,She bore to us a Savior,When half spent was the night.
A subsequent verse tells about the fragrance and the light of Christ, and that Jesus is fully man and fully God. Like so many of our carols, this verse points toward our future with Christ. What a marvelous thought! Today, let's be the fragrance of Christ and a light wherever we go, carrying with us the thought that one day we'll convene in the bright courts of heaven for a day that will never end.
Response: Holy Father, Help me be Your fragrance and Your light to others. May the joy of experiencing Your presence radiate from me. Thank You for being the New Testament fulfillment of Old Testament promises. May I walk in the knowledge that I have an eternity to grow in You
Light: "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." (2 Corinthians 2:14-15)
Reflection: One of my favorite parts of Christmas is hearing music everywhere I go from Thanksgiving to New Year's. Each carol holds memories, making me reminisce about the past and focus my heart on Jesus. I hope this season you hear the music of Christmas in a new way, understanding how the scriptures reveal the prophecy of His coming, the revelation of His birth, His death, and His second coming.
"Lo How a Rose" reminds me of what we've learned in Isaiah. Remember the tender shoot? Jesus, the rose, bloomed in Bethlehem so long ago and continues to bloom in the hearts of those who receive Him. The carol reminds us that Jesus is a stem from Jesse's lineage.
Lo how a rose e'er blooming, From tender stem hath sprung,Of Jesse's lineage coming,As saints of old have sung.It came, a flower bright, amid the cold of winter,When half-spent was the night.Isaiah 'twas foretold it, The Rose I have in mind,With Mary we behold it,The virgin mother kind.To show God's love aright,She bore to us a Savior,When half spent was the night.
A subsequent verse tells about the fragrance and the light of Christ, and that Jesus is fully man and fully God. Like so many of our carols, this verse points toward our future with Christ. What a marvelous thought! Today, let's be the fragrance of Christ and a light wherever we go, carrying with us the thought that one day we'll convene in the bright courts of heaven for a day that will never end.
Response: Holy Father, Help me be Your fragrance and Your light to others. May the joy of experiencing Your presence radiate from me. Thank You for being the New Testament fulfillment of Old Testament promises. May I walk in the knowledge that I have an eternity to grow in You
posted by Pete Houpt @ 9:11 AM
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