Christmas Carols

There is one Christmas carol that was the first one most of us learned as a child. What song would you name? I think it would be "Away in a Manger." Am I right? When I taught Sunday school or led the Christmas program the song we taught the youngest children was "Away in a Manger." There were actions that went with the song but only a few would remember them up on the stage. Rarely could you hear the small group of children singing during the program.

When I was a child our church set aside a day to go caroling to neighbors and shut-ins of the church. We would take along a plate full of homemade goodies to leave with them. What I remember most is the faces of those we caroled to. They would survey the crowd of singers, looking for familiar faces and smiling back. For years, my father led the singing by starting a song and others joining in. It was never quite the same for me after my parents became ones to be caroled to. But, they enjoyed it so much.

"In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High," (Luke 1:26-32a NIV).

The Savior of the world is coming soon! Prepare for the day of His birth by singing carols! Rejoice! 

Lord, the day of our Savior's birth is coming. Help us prepare our hearts for this day of celebration. Keep Christ Jesus in our minds and hearts this season. Jesus is the reason we rejoice! Fill our hearts with joy, even when our minds are filled with sorrow. Christ is coming! What a blessing of salvation You are sending. Amen.