Why Jesus Came
The highlight of our recent trip to Rugby was the Lessons and Carols program at Christ Episcopal Church, built in 1887 for the community. We waited patiently in a long line outside the church before being invited inside.
This is the beautiful Gothic window to our right as we went inside.
As we entered the beautiful building, we were asked to fill in the front seats first. Ray and I found a seat on the second row beside one of the church’s 26 members. As we chatted about where we each were from, she told me, “Wait ‘til you hear the choir.” Ray and I were mesmerized from the start. All of the choir members’ eyes were focused completely on the choirmaster’s face. He led them with enthusiasm; they followed with enthusiasm. After a song or two, I made eye contact with the lady beside me with a look of awe. She nodded with a face that said, “See what I mean!”
I don’t remember hearing a choir sing “Mary, Did You Know?” Oh, it was beautiful with all singing together and then only the female voices and then only the male voices. I wish you could have been there. The word that came to mind when we spoke with the choirmaster afterwards was spectacular. It was spectacular.
Choirmaster Ron Jackson told us that the church has no choir. The singers came from far and near with some who are local, some from Knoxville, and at least one from as far away as Nashville, over two hours away. They sing together a few times each year. They had practiced only five times for Saturday’s program. Jackson is retired from Lifeway, where he once traveled around the country teaching people how to teach preschoolers through music. He and his wife, who was in Saturday’s choir, have retired to Rugby.
I’d like to share a couple of photos from inside this beautiful historic building.
The Lessons and Carols program began with a reading from John 1, which is part of this, our 10th and final easy devotional idea.
Read: John 1:1-14 and Luke 2:6-7.
From John:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
From Luke:
While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Discuss: Why did Jesus come into the world?
Pray as you reflect on this truth: He came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
Add to the basket: a cross, because “. . . you will call Him Jesus, and He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
As we continue to praise God for the wonderful story of Jesus’ birth, let’s remember the great gift He was, the life He led, and the ultimate reason He came.
He was in the world, and the world was made through Him,
and the world did not know Him.
He came to His own,
and those who were His own did not receive Him.
But as many as received Him,
to them He gave the right to become children of God,
even to those who believe in His name,
who were born, not of blood
nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man,
but of God.
John 1:10-13
And let’s reflect soberly on Paul’s words to Timothy.
It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance,
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,
among whom I am foremost of all.
1 Timothy 1:15
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Optional Carol: If you would enjoy singing a carol to go along with today’s devotion, you might enjoy “Go, Tell it On the Mountain!”
Refrain:
Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills, and ev’rywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.
While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night,
Behold, throughout the heavens
there shone a holy light. [Refrain]
The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo, above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior’s birth. [Refrain]
Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born,
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn. [Refrain]