Behind every classic hymn lies a story of its writing. “Joy to the World” is no exception. Written by Isaac Watts in 1719, it’s known as one of the most celebrated and beloved Christmas carols of all time. Yet, did you know it was never written as a hymn for the Christmas holiday? Here’s the back-story . . . Growing up in England, Isaac Watts (1674-1748), from an early age held a natural propensity for rhyming and poetry. During the late 1600s, most worship music in Europe centered on singing the Old Testament Psalms. One day after church, young Isaac…
“O Holy Night” is one of the most beloved Christmas songs of all time. Its fascinating story began in France, yet eventually spread around the world. In 1847, Placide Cappeau, a commissioner of wines in a small French village, and a known poet, was asked by his parish priest to write a poem for their Christmas mass. When he finished “Cantique de Noel,” Cappeau turned to his friend Adolphe Charles Adams to compose music for it. The song was sung at Christmas Eve mass. Initially, “O Holy Night” was widely loved throughout France and made its way into many Catholic…
It’s said that to a child, love is spelled T-I-M-E. What means the most—and often the greatest gift we can give—is not another toy but simply our time and attention. How a child’s eyes light up when we sit close and read a book together—or take the time to watch and listen while they show us yet another thing! Children need love, and crave attention. In many ways we’re all children, aren’t we? In fact, in Scripture God calls us His “little children”, not His “little adults”. He made us to need each other—to be interdependent rather than independent. Yet…
Friday night I attended a special meeting at church for those who are grieving or have experienced loss around the holidays. With me was our good friend R., who recently lost his mother. It was a quiet, healing time for all. Some, like R., who lost a loved one this year, were deeply comforted by the love of God shared and simply being together. Others, like myself, had time to reflect on other kinds of losses we have experienced, and how God’s grace and goodness have carried us through. Jesus tells us that here on earth there will be sorrow,…
With the Christmas season in full swing, it’s easy to become overloaded with the many obligations and expectations it brings. We can get so busy with the decorating, shopping, concerts, and other activities that we’re fitting into our already packed schedules, that we lose sight of why we’re doing it all to begin with—leaving us feeling drained and overwhelmed. In an effort to get a handle on our endless to-do lists, it’s easy to rush into the day, spending little or no time with the One who helps us most! St. Francis de Sales said: Every Christian needs a half-hour…
