December 18, 2022 • Susan Hageman • Micah 5:2, Isaiah 60:19–20, Luke 2:7, John 3:1–10, John 3:16–21
In 1865, the year the Civil War ended and President Lincoln was assassinated, themes of peace and quiet would probably have been welcome to Americans. In that year, the Rev. Phillips Brooks took a trip to Israel and saw Bethlehem and its surrounding fields on Christmas Eve, which eventually inspired him to write this Christmas hymn. In contrast to some other Christmas hymns that emphasize the glory of God as seen in the grand chorus of angels, Brooks focuses on the quietness of Christ’s birth, and how little the larger world paid attention. The final stanza is a prayer that Christ would come and be present with us.
Christmas at Gateway - Carols Part 3
December 11, 2022 • Randy Hageman • Isaiah 9:6–7, John 14:27, Romans 5:1, Philippians 4:6–7, Luke 2:8–14
Peace has always been something people desire and need, and yet all our efforts to find it outside ourselves seem fruitless. Today’s carol calls us to look at the true and ultimate source of peace, not only for our world someday when Jesus returns, but also within us today!
Christmas at Gateway - Carols Part 2
December 4, 2022 • Randy Hageman • Matthew 2:1–12, Matthew 2:16, Psalm 72:10–11, Isaiah 60:6
Today’s carol is drawn directly from the Gospel of Matthew, though it’s often helpful for us to dig into which parts of any song come from Scripture and which parts come from tradition or a writer’s imagination. Yet, this simple carol tells the whole Gospel story, and what’s more, it clearly shows us that this Gospel is for everyone!
Christmas at Gateway - Carols Part 1
November 27, 2022 • Randy Hageman • Luke 2:10–12, Isaiah 9:2, Jeremiah 51:15, Romans 8:31–39, Isaiah 7:14
This may very well be our oldest Christmas carol still sung today. And yet, through its seven verses (which are not all sung today), this carol captures the true hope we have in the coming Messiah, who is Jesus Christ. Using Old Testament prophetic images, this carol reminds its singers of the reasons we can have joy for our coming Messiah.
