in the WORD… Dennis McConnaughhay in your HEART… December 15th, 2019 A.D. in your LIFE… for your personal study Luke 2:7-20 and LIFE group discussion… [email protected] previous messages - prcconline.com Join Dennis on Facebook Podcasts - Be sure to listen to the weekly messages for the first time or to listen again by going to prcconline.com from the “O Holy Night” history video… Resources • Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of • the lyrics were written in 1847 by Placide Cappeau

O Holy Night • the music was written by the Jewish composer, Look up the lyrics for this Carol. Read over the words and reflect Adolphe Charles Adam over the meaning of each phrase. Which phrase captures your thoughts most? • “Cantique de Noel” was once banned by the Church

Listen and Sing… • John Sullivan Dwight translated the lyrics into English Take time this week to listen and sing this . You can search the Internet for an array of arrangements. O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, like no other night… It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth. Read and reflect over Luke 2:1-20. What made this night like no other Long lay the world in sin and error pining, night? Make a list of all the activities and thoughts making this a Till He appear'd and the soul felt its worth. special, Holy night. A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. a thrill of Hope… Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices! How is the coming of Christ our Hope? O night divine, O night when Christ was born; O night divine, O night, O night Divine. peace is possible… How does the coming of Christ bring us peace? What may be stealing Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace. peace in this season? How can you pause for peace in the next Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother; weeks? And in His name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, He is Worthy of our Worship… Let all within us praise His holy name. What about Christmas makes you fall on your knees in worship? Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever, Literally, give yourself to worshipping on your knees. What does this His power and glory evermore proclaim. teach you about worship? His power and glory evermore proclaim. this night was like no other night because of this night, PEACE is now possible

this night was a HOLY night • “Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother; And in His name all oppression shall cease.” Luke 2:7-20 (pages 732 or 949) • Galatians 3:28 (ESV) — There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for because of this night, there is a thrill of HOPE you are all one in Christ . • “long lay the world in and error…” sin • peace WITH God… • (ESV) — for have sinned and fall short of Romans 3:23 all • peace WITH others… the glory of God, • 1 John 4:11 (NIV) — Dear friends, since God so loved us, we • each one of us has broken the heart of God also ought to love one another. • …sin entered this world destroying what was good • peace WITHIN ourselves… • sin this world… wrecks • NO Jesus = NO peace KNOW Jesus = KNOW peace • “long lay the world in sin and error pining…”

a deep and desperate desire… • John 16:33 -- "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. • God did not give us what we deserved most - But take heart! I have overcome the world."

God gave us what we needed most because of this night, He is worthy of Worship • Sinners need a Savior! • FALL on your knees… • “Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till He appeared and the soul felt it’s worth” on , the first time a man’s voice was broadcast • Romans 5:8 (ESV) - but God shows His love for us in that 1906 while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. over the airwaves. Reginald Fessenden. • first words - Luke 2 • Lamentations 3:22–23 (NIV) — 22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never • first song played - “O Holy Night” fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. this night was like no other - this was a Holy Night!