In the Beginning...

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth

~John 1:1, 14

These are my favorite Christmas verses.  I know they are not your traditional Christmas verses but I love them.  They explain Christmas so clearly.  I love all aspects of Christmas...the sacred and the secular.  The older I get, the more special and meaningful the holiday becomes.  I am reminded that with out Christmas, Easter would not be possible.  Without Easter we would be lost in sin and despair.  What an amazing birthday we get to celebrate.  

I also love Luke 2:8-20.   I love the words the angel uses "good news of great joy that will be for all people" and "Born to you..."  Jesus was born for us.  Could you imagine being a shepard and having the sky suddenly full of singing angels?  I probably would have peed my pants or thought I had died.  Even after the angel said not to be afraid I think I still would be!  Imagine finding the baby like the angel said.  The amazement and awe they must have felt. 

One of my favorite carols is O Come, O Come Emmanuel.  I love the words.  Christmas is pointing to Easter and telling us of what is to come.

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times did'st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.  

Do you have favorite Christmas verses or carols?  Why do you like them?