Dear Friend,
I hope this finds you in good heart and in no way overwhelmed by preparations for Christmas.
It’s often hard for me to remember what Christmas was like before I became a pastor—when I was attending the services rather than being in some measure responsible for leading them. Each year at Christmastime, I imagine a day when I might spend Christmas Eve attending A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King’s College Chapel, Cambridge. It would be thrilling to be present for the singing of my favorite carol, “Once in Royal David’s City,” which has been the processional hymn for the service since 1919. It was written by Cecil Frances Alexander (1818–1895). She was born in Dublin and married William Alexander, who became an archbishop in the Church of Ireland in Londonderry. Cecil wrote hymns with young people in mind, seeking to teach important Christian doctrine. “All Things Bright and Beautiful” taught the doctrine of creation. “There Is a Green Hill Far Away” taught the doctrine of the atonement. And “Once in Royal David’s City” taught the doctrine of the incarnation.
Traditionally, the opening stanza of the latter is sung unaccompanied by the boy chorister as the service at King’s College begins. Having only heard it on recording, I would love to experience it live in the chapel. Come to think of it, perhaps this is also on your bucket list. What about a Truth For Life Christmas trip to England?
Since that can’t happen this year, we will need to ensure that our personal preparations for celebrating the birth of Jesus are fueled by meditating on His person and work.
Let’s be sure to take time to consider that the child in the manger gazing up into Mary’s face is the very same person who put the stars in the sky, including the very star that led the wise men from the east to come and worship Him. Jesus was not created, for He is the creator of the universe.
Christmas comes truly alive when we make the time to ponder this reality and marvel afresh at the wonder that “in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:19).
This amazing message is being proclaimed in multiple ways around the world through Truth For Life. God is using our teaching to reach a larger audience than we ever could have imagined! Your prayerful and financial partnership makes this possible. Please consider a generous year-end donation so that men, women, boys, and girls may come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior in nations around the world.
What grace is ours, that He who dwells in endless light called through the night to find our distant souls! (Look it up!)
From all of us, a very blessed Christmas to you and yours and with my love in the Lord Jesus,
Alistair
