Caroling
Luke 2:8-14 – 8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others – the armies of heaven – praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (New Living Translation)
How Caroling Makes Christmas, Christmas
• Caroling ______________________ the Good News
Luke 2:10-11 – 10 . . . “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (New Living Translation)
Notice the three things obvious about this proclamation:
(1) First, the proclamation was _______________
(2) Second, this proclamation _______________
(3) Third the proclamation was __________________
Christmas songs that best proclaim the Gospel:
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
• Caroling builds and strengthens _____________________
– Caroling draws people _______________, creating a shared experience that reminds us we are not ____________
Colossians 3:16-17 – 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. (New Living Translation)
– Singing together can assist us in our ______________________ growth and maturity
The Twelve Days of Christmas
1 A Partridge in a Pear Tree: Jesus Christ
2 Turtle Doves: The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens: Faith, Hope, and Love (or The Holy Trinity)
4 Calling Birds: The Four Gospels
5 Golden Rings: The first five books of the Bible (Pentateuch, The Law)
6 Geese A-Laying: The six days of Creation
7 Swans A-Swimming: The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
(The gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel (right judgment), fortitude, fear of the Lord, and piety)
8 Maids A-Milking: The eight Beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing: The nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal.5:22-23)
10 Lords A-Leaping: The Ten Commandments
11 Pipers Piping: The eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming: The twelve points of the Apostles’ Creed
• Caroling __________________ compassion and presence
– Caroling can be seen as an extension of __________________
Isaiah 52:7-10 – 7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! 8 The watchmen shout and sing with joy, for before their very eyes they see the Lord returning to Jerusalem. 9 Let the ruins of Jerusalem break into joyful song, for the Lord has comforted his people. He has redeemed Jerusalem. 10 The Lord has demonstrated his holy power before the eyes of all the nations. All the ends of the earth will see the victory of our God. (New Living Translation)
– Caroling becomes an _______________________ of God’s grace in our lives
