O Little Town of Bethlehem

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.

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;
oh, come to us, abide with us,
our Lord Immanuel!

“How silently the wondrous gift is given.” It is clear that gifts are important during this time of year, and the greatest gift is the one that God gives to us, giving him-self, in the Incarnation celebrated at Christmas, and the Passion at Easter. Christmas is about gifts. Because the gift of God is given “silently,” it is too easy to miss. Do not miss it! The greatest gift is God with us!

“Be born in us today.” It is God with us that we celebrate and pray for in this Nativity season. The God born in time some two-thousand years ago is the same God who desire to come to us today and every day. Christmas is not just about Jesus born in a manger, but about Christ being borne in our hearts. Live in Christ and Christ in you!

May “the blessings of his heaven” be yours in the Father, by the working of the Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in this Nativity season and the New Year!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Bond