Christ, the Everlasting Lord

Advent—Christmas Eve

By Rosie McGough, worship director

John 1:14 (NIV)

The WORD became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace & truth.

Col. 1:15 (AMP)

He is the exact living image [the essential manifestation] of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible], the firstborn [the preeminent one, the sovereign, and the originator] of all creation.

Luke 2:14-18 (NIV)

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Luke 2:28-32 (TPT)

Simeon cradled the baby in his arms and praised God and prophesied:
“Lord and Master, I am your loving servant, and now I can die content,
For you have fulfilled your promise to me. With my own eyes, I have seen your WORD,
The Savior you sent into the world. He will be glory for your people Israel, 
& the Revelation-Light for all people everywhere!”

Rev. 22:13, 16b, 20 (NIV)

“I am the Alpha & Omega, the First & the Last, the Beginning & the End…I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the Bright Morning Star…Yes, I am coming soon.”

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Christ, the Everlasting Lord

By Rosie McGough

He is here! The long-awaited Messiah. He is Emmanuel, God with us! Each year on the calendar, this is the moment we celebrate Jesus’ entrance into the world. He is fully God and fully Man. He came to save us from our sins, redeem us, and adopt us as ‘sons’. This is the WORD of God. This is the Good News. How awesome…

Charles Wesley, a true theologian in song, wrote over 6,000 hymns in his lifetime! Hark the Herald Angels Sing is one of my favorites. With a bit of lyrical help from his friend George Whitfield (in 1753), we now have the familiar stanzas that we know and love at Christmas time. Here is verse 2, which centers around many of the verses from this reading:

"Christ, by highest heaven’ 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.”

 Advent is a time to remember and be thankful for what he has done for us. He sent Jesus. And it is also a time to look forward to him coming again. He will come again in his triumphant future return. Taking time to observe advent is a way to keep the body of Christ ready: expectant, full of hope, longing for Him.

Before festivities begin, find a way to include celebrating His birth. Maybe it’s quiet contemplation in the early morning, a prayer of thankfulness & joy around the table, or the reading of Luke 2 aloud with loved ones. Maybe it’s a family dance party. Whatever works for you, this is a great opportunity to renew your hope, peace, joy and love for Him. Let Jesus refresh your spirit moving into 2024. 

God, make us ready. Help us delight in the season of your birth, remembering the significance of your arrival. Thank you that you redeemed us back to yourself. How loved we are, and may we never forget it. And help us live in a way that is ready for your second coming; one that beckons a lost world into finding a home in You. May we, your church, light the way. -Amen