Like an early Christmas gift, we’re bringing you the Heart Prep for this Sunday, December 22nd, a little bit early. The key text is Luke 2:10, but we’ll look at a number of other texts on the joy that Christmas brings. The worship theme will be “Joy to the World,” and the visual theme will continue to be nebulae (there’s a lot of them out there).
Here is the link to the YouTube Playlist: 191222 Heart Prep
Isaiah 35:1-2,10 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; 2it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. . . 10And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Luke 2:8-14 In the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus – Hymn #124
Born Where the Shadows Lie – Getty
Preparation for Prayer:
Angels Strain to See
Closing Worship:
The First Noel – Hymn #136
Bonus Music: (New Lyric video featuring “Future of Forestry”)
Light Has Come
Scripture for Meditation:
Luke 1:39-44 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.”
1 Peter 1:6-9 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
