While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
all seated on the ground,
the angel of the Lord came down,
and glory shone around.

“Fear not,” said he, for mighty dread
had seized their troubled mind;
“Glad tidings of great joy I bring
to you and all mankind.

“To you, in David’s town, this day,
is born of David’s line
a Savior, who is Christ the Lord;
and this shall be the sign:

“The heav’nly Babe you there shall find
to human view displayed,
all meanly wrapped in swaddling clothes
and in a manger laid.”

Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
appeared a shining throng
of angels, praising God, and thus
addressed their joyful song:

“All glory be to God on high,
and to the earth be peace;
good will henceforth from heav’n to men
begin and never cease.”

Nahum Tate, 1700
Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

God chose shepherds. The announcement of the Savior’s birth wasn’t made to the king, to the governor, to the scholar, to the priest, the merchant, or even to the notable. It was made to regular guys, overlooked and excluded by the rest of society. That in itself is a message of hope for all of us. The message of salvation is to us and for us. Let’s make sure we respond with as much wonder and enthusiasm as the shepherds.

Hail to the brightness of Zion’s glad morning!
Joy to the lands that in darkness have lain!
Hushed be the accents of sorrow and mourning;
Zion in triumph begins her mild reign.

Hail to the brightness of Zion’s glad morning!
Long by the prophets of Israel foretold!
Hail to the millions from bondage returning!
Gentiles and Jews the blest vision behold.

Lo, in the desert rich flowers are springing,
streams ever copious are gliding along;
loud from the mountain-tops echoes are ringing,
wastes rise in verdure and mingle in song.

See, from all lands, from the isles of the ocean,
praise to Jehovah ascending on high;
fall’n are the engines of war and commotion,
shouts of salvation are rending the sky.

Thomas Hastings, 1831
Read Isaiah 35:1-10

“Hail to the Brightness” looks forward to a day when Christ at last rules and reigns and the whole earth is restored. It is the moment we pray for when we say “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” It is not a fairytale. We will see this day.

The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Direct my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.
So lead me onward, Lord, and hear my plea. [Refrain]

Not always thus, I seldom looked for you,
I loved to choose and seek my path alone.
In spite of fear, my pride controlled my will,
Remember not my past, but lead me still. [Refrain]

So long your pow’r has blest me on the way,
And still it leads, past hill and storm and night!
And with the morn, those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost a while. [Refrain]

Refrain:
Lead, kindly Light, amid the gloom of evening.
Lord, lead me on! Lord, lead me on!
On through the night! On to your radiance!
Lead, kindly Light!
Lead, kindly Light, kindly Light!

John Henry Newman, 1833
Read Psalm 16:1-11

This hymn usually appears without the refrain, but either way, we identify with that longing for guidance and comfort. It humbly acknowledges the times when faith has been lacking, but God remained faithful. It celebrates a lifetime of walking by faith. No matter where you are on your journey, don’t hesitate to take the next step.

Sweetly, Lord, have we heard Thee calling,
“Come, follow Me!”
And we see where Thy footprints falling,
Lead us to Thee.

Though they lead o’er the cold, dark mountains,
Seeking His sheep,
Or along by Siloam’s fountains,
Helping the weak. [Chorus]

If they lead through the temple holy,
Preaching the Word,
Or in homes of the poor and lowly,
Serving the Lord. [Chorus]

Then at last, when on high He sees us,
Our journey done,
We will rest where the steps of Jesus
End at His throne. [Chorus]

Chorus:
Footprints of Jesus that make the pathway glow;
We will follow the steps of Jesus wheree’er they go.

Mary Bridges Canady Slade, 1871
Read 1 Peter 2:18-24

(It is not a misprint. The title is “footsteps” and the lyrics are “footprints”.) This hymn captures what should be the goal of every Christian– to follow the example of Christ in our daily lives. It reminds us that we can’t limit ourselves to merely believing Jesus’s words, we must actively live out His teaching.

More love to Thee, O Christ,
More love to Thee!
Hear Thou the prayer I make
On bended knee.
This is my earnest plea:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee,
More love to Thee!

Once earthly joy I craved,
Sought peace and rest;
Now Thee alone I seek,
Give what is best.
This all my prayer shall be:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee,
More love to Thee!

Then shall my latest breath
Whisper Thy praise;
This be the parting cry
My heart shall raise.
This still its prayer shall be:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee,
More love to Thee!

Elizabeth Prentiss, 1858
Read 1 John 5:1-5

This hymn expresses the writer’s deep desire to love Christ even more deeply and intensely. How do we accomplish that? Love grows in a relationship that we cultivate, that we put effort into. Love grows through experience when we see God’s promises are dependable, that His word can be trusted. Love grows when we pray for God to deepen it. Let’s make that our prayer this week.

O for a closer walk with God,
a calm and heav’nly frame,
a light to shine upon the road
that leads me to the Lamb!

Where is the blessedness I knew
when first I sought the Lord?
Where is the soul refreshing view
of Jesus and His Word?

What peaceful hours I then enjoyed!
How sweet their mem’ry still!
But they have left an aching void
the world can never fill.

Return, O holy Dove, return,
sweet messenger of rest;
I hate the sins that made Thee mourn,
and drove Thee from my breast.

The dearest idol I have known,
whate’er that idol be,
help me to tear it from Thy throne
and worship only Thee.

So shall my walk be close with God,
calm and serene my frame;
so purer light shall mark the road
that leads me to the Lamb.

William Cowper, 1772
Read Joshua 24:21-24

We’ve been there, haven’t we? We’ve all experienced that feeling that our relationship with God is not what it once was. The hymn writer longs to return to that joy and fervor he experienced when he first met Jesus. Do you recall that feeling? The hymn writer prays for the Holy Spirit’s action, specifically to tear down the idols of the heart that have gotten in the way of his relationship with God. May we be willing and courageous enough to pray that same prayer.