O Holy Night
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
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Luke 2
1And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, unto the City of David which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David)
5to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, who was great with child.
6And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.
10And the angel said unto them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
13And suddenly 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, good will toward men!"
15And it came to pass, when the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."
16And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
18And all those who heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the Child, His name was called JESUS, who was so named by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
22And when the days of her purification according to the Law of Moses were accomplished, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord
23(as it is written in the law of the Lord: "Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"),
24and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord: "A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."
25And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27And he came by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him after the custom of the law,
28then he took Him up in his arms, and blessed God and said,
29"Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word;
30for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation,
31which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people,
32a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel."
33And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.
34And Simeon blessed them and said unto Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spoken against
35(yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
36And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. She was of great age and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,
37and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years. She departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38And she, coming in that instant, gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
39And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee to their own city, Nazareth.
40And the Child grew and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.
41Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.
42And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the Feast.
43And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and His mother knew not of it.
44But they, supposing Him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances.
45And when they found Him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking Him.
46And it came to pass that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions.
47And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
48And when they saw Him they were amazed, and His mother said unto Him, "Son, why hast Thou thus dealt with us? Behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing."
49And He said unto them, "How is it that ye sought Me? Knew ye not that I must be about My Father's business?"
50And they understood not the saying which He spoke unto them.
51And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them. But His mother kept all these things in her heart.
52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. |
