The Blessing of His Peace
Movement 1: The Christmas Story, Fear, and the peace brought by Jesus
2 *And it came to pass in those days, that there went out aa decree from Caesar Augustus, that all bthe world should be ||taxed. 2 (And this ctaxing was first made when Cyrenius dwas governor of ddSyria.) 3 And all went to be ||taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also ewent up from fGalilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto gthe city of David, which is called Beth-lehem; h(because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be ||taxed with Mary ihis espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, kwhile they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth lher firstborn son, and mwrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a nmanger; because there was no room for them in the oinn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping ||watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord pcame upon them, and the qglory of the Lord shone round about them: and rthey were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For sunto you is born this day tin the city of David ua Saviour, which is xChrist ythe Lord. 12 And this shall be za sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe mwrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a nmanger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel aa multitude bof the heavenly host cpraising God, and saying,
14 dGlory to God ein the highest,
And on earth fpeace,
gGood will toward men.
HIS PRESENCE brought peace to earth when all of hell raged against the heavens!
13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph min a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, nOut of Egypt have I called my son.
Movement 2: The Storm is quieted by God’s peace
23 rThey that go down to the sea in ships,
That do business in sgreat waters;
24 These see the works of the LORD,
And his wonders in the deep.
25 For the commandeth, and †raiseth the ustormy wind,
Which lifteth up the waves thereof.
26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths:
Their soul xis melted because of trouble.
27 They reel to and fro, and ystagger zlike a drunken man,
And †are at their wits’ end.
28 aThen they cry unto the LORD in their trouble,
And he bringeth them out of their distresses.
29 bHe maketh the storm a ccalm,
So that the waves thereof are still.
30 Then are they glad because they dbe quiet;
So he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
31 eOh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness,
And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
32 Let them fexalt him also gin the congregation of the people,
And gpraise him in the assembly of the elders.