All my heart this night rejoices As I hear Far and near Sweetest angel voices. "Christ is born," their choirs are singing Till the air Everywhere Now with joy is ringing.
Christmas means JOY. “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10)
Forth today the Conqueror goeth. Who the foe, Sin and woe, Death and hell, o'erthroweth. God is man, man to deliver; His dear Son Now is one With our blood forever.
Christmas means VICTORY. “Jesus also Himself took part of flesh and blood; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” (Hebrews 2:14)
Shall we still dread God's displeasure, Who, to save, Freely gave His most cherished Treasure? To redeem us, He hath given His own Son From the throne Of His might in heaven.
Christmas means a GIFT and the assurance of more gifts. “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)
Hark! a voice from yonder manger, Soft and sweet, Doth entreat: "Flee from woe and danger. Brethren, from all ills that grieve you You are freed; All you need I will surely give you."
Christmas means SECURITY, the only kind that really counts. “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26)
Hither come, ye heavy-hearted, Who for sin, Deep within, Long and sore have smarted; For the poisoned wounds you're feeling Help is near, One is here Mighty for their healing.
Christmas means HELP and HEALING. And we sinners are greatly in need of both. “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Matthew 9:13)
Hither come, ye poor and wretched; Know His will Is to fill Every hand outstretched. Here are riches without measure; Here forget All regret, Fill your hearts with treasure.
Christmas means COMFORT. “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)
Guilt no longer can distress me; Son of God, Thou my load Bearest to release me. Stain in me Thou findest never; I am clean, All my sin Is removed forever.
Christmas means FORGIVENESS. As Christ was the perfect Lamb of God without spot or blemish, so are we spotless in God’s eyes by faith in Him. “Your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.” (1 John 2:12)
Dearest Lord, Thee will I cherish. Though my breath Fail in death, Yet I shall not perish. But with Thee abide forever There on high, In that joy Which can vanish never.
Christmas means LIFE, and that forevermore. Jesus rose again from the dead after His sacrifice, and He will die no more. “I am the Resurrection and the Life. . . . Whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.” (John 11:25-26)
In this series we are reprinting Spokesman articles by early leaders in the CLC. Pastor James Albrecht is the curator of the series. Professor David Lau (1936-2024) was a leader in the formation of the CLC. He served as pastor at various congregations of the CLC, was a Board of Doctrine member, and a professor at Immanuel Lutheran College. This article is from the Lutheran Spokesman of December 1968. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version.
1936-2024
