Centuries before the “First Christmas” the prophet, Isaiah prophesied that the Lord God would send a Messiah for His people Israel (Isaiah 53). In fact there are so many prophecies about the details of the promised Messiah, that statistically it was virtually impossible for any one person to fulfill them all (Lee Strobel Case for Christmas Zondervan 1998, 2005). But Jesus of Nazareth did come, in the little town of Bethlehem of Judea, fulfilling every prophecy!
One such prophecy foretold that “the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means ‘God with us’). Matthew 1:23 (from Isaiah 7:14 NIV)
In our Christmas cantata this year, we are singing some beautiful songs, but one in particular describes who this Jesus is, and what it really means for us to have “God with us”.
Here are some of the words to the song, “Who But the Lord?”
(Lyrics by Susan Bentall Boersma, music by Craig Courtney Beckenhorst Press, Inc. 2017)
Who but the Lord can give the shadows light?
Can break into the dark, draw morning from the night?
Who but the Lord will hear our cry and answer, “here am I”?
Who but the Lord makes blinded eyes to see?
Brings music to the deaf, sets the lonely captive free?
Who but the Lord will by His glory show the paths of peace?
O shine on us the brightness of Your face,
To earth’s remotest end, every people, every race.
O shine on us until to each is shown Your saving grace. . .
Who but the Lord can give the shadows light?
None but the Lord.
Listen to this beautiful song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnxNYfPtpRE
May this gift God gave so long ago and still gives today,
be real and present with you this Christmas.
May His life and love shine on you and all those you love!
Have a blessed Christmas!
