Ten years ago today, Hannah and Nathanael were sending balloons to the three Kings.
So, if you don’t know the tradition – in Mexico, children get gifts on the 6th of January, which is Epiphany. That’s the time when people remember the visit of the wise men. They gave gifts – so we give gifts. 🙂
But it’s nice to let them know what you want to receive ahead of time, right? So you buy a balloon, you attach your note to it, and you send it up into the sky. So here’s a photo from 10 years ago today – Hannah had already sent up her balloon, and Nathanael was ready to go!
(An update for a new decade – balloons are starting to become rarer, because of environmental sensibilities. Many children are leaving a note for the kings in their shoes, which is where the gifts are traditionally left. 🙂 )
I realize that historically, this isn’t really the end of another decade. But everybody’s talking about it anyway, since we have to remember to start years with “202” instead of “201” – so, as we enter 2020, let’s look back at the most popular posts of the last decade.
From one of the decade’s most popular posts
In 2011 – and updated in 2013 – Spanish Bible Versions – Free Online. I should probably update that again. This was originally posted because of work I did in the Where did the Bible Come From? seminar.
2012 was a big year, with the most popular post of the decade being Just how Stressed are Missionaries (and what can we do about it)?. I’m not sure what that says about this blog that this is the most popular post – but hey, it is an important topic to think about as we help our missionaries, especially when they’re new on the field.
Another historic note I wrote the next year – William Tyndale.
Here’s an important post from 2014. I was actually thinking of doing an updated version of this, but when I reread it, I think it’s actually even more accurate now than it was then. Sadly. So – don’t miss 7 Reasons to Pray for Mexico.
I was paying attention – really. But also thinking,"We have 4 extension cords with all equipment plugged in one out… https://t.co/XJ04UbE3FQ2019-12-22
Reading: Masterchef Mexico's Carmen Miranda To Bring Latin Flavor To Buckingham Palace As New Chef https://t.co/q90uKh0bIK2019-12-23
Recommended game – "Good Little Ninjas". Free download to print and play, great game to stick in your pocket and ta… https://t.co/bHjQYykHB42019-12-23
Thanks for joining me in the exploration of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing! I hope you enjoyed it. Below is the index for the full series. I would also like to share some sources that you can check out for yourself.
This song has had its changes through the years. Even the hymnbooks I have on hand used different words. So, for my base text, I used this version from the Cyber Hymnal.
As we have learned, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing was written by a fairly new believer. For years, he thought that his passion for holiness and Christian living made him acceptable to God. But to his shock he discovered that he was not even saved.
From the original publication of Wesley’s Christmas hymn
But then – the miracle of the new birth. And Charles Wesley celebrated his first Christmas truly knowing the saving power of Christ. He called all of creation to listen – Hark! Listen to the message that was brought to us by the angels! God and sinners reconciled!
We are called to glorify – to praise and worship – the great King of Kings who came to live among us. He came with a purpose – to reverse the curse that Adam brought to the world – to bring true life to all those who would be united with Him.
Although the first three stanzas of this great Christmas song speak of the identity of the Christ and His purpose for coming, it’s really the last two less known stanzas that make it personal, and turn it into a prayer. I encourage you to sing these stanzas this Christmas – make Wesley’s prayer your own.
Come, Desire of nations, come, Fix in us Thy humble home; Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring Seed, Bruise in us the serpent’s head. Now display Thy saving power, Ruined nature now restore; Now in mystic union join Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.
Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface, Stamp Thine image in its place: Second Adam from above, Reinstate us in Thy love. Let us Thee, though lost, regain, Thee, the Life, the inner man: O, to all Thyself impart, Formed in each believing heart.
What was the prayer? That God would make His promises true in us. May we be truly united with Christ – our only hope for escape from the devil and the judgement of sin. Not only do we want forgiveness – we want God Himself. Give us YOU, Lord! Keep your promise, that all believers may be in Christ, and Christ in them through His Spirit (Romans 8:9).
Maybe this could be your first Christmas as someone who has truly found refuge in Christ. Centuries ago He was a small Jewish baby born into a poor family, a family that would soon be fleeing their country. But yesterday, today, and forever, He is the Everlasting Lord (Isaiah 40:28; Hebrews 13:8)!
Maybe you already have the joy of possessing God as your Father, your Lord, your Saviour. Either way, now is the time to do what this great Christmas carol calls us to do – give glory to the King!
He laid aside His glory for a time, to save us. Today we give Him the glory He deserves. We enjoy the reality that the God of the universe stepped down in love to save us. That His eternal promises to His people will be fulfilled. That, thanks to that Person who was born and placed in a manger, we will have an eternal relationship of love with God, not the judgement we so justly deserved.
Thanks for exploring this carol with me! I hope that this song will shine even brighter wherever you hear it. I’ll stop by one more time to share some of my sources and give you the index for this whole series.
Meantime, may more and more people sing – Glory to the newborn King!
