Mercy triumphs over judgment
Join us in this series with Keith Curlee and Ben Ward discussing classic Christmas carols and their amazing, deep theology. Today we are looking into “O Holy Night” and “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”
Previous episodes:
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”
“Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
Listen to Ben’s podcast: https://benwardmusic.com/morningprayer
Join us in this series with Keith Curlee and Ben Ward discussing classic Christmas carols and their amazing, deep theology. Today we are exploring “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” by Charles Wesley.
Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
Listen to Ben’s podcast: https://benwardmusic.com/morningprayer
Join us in this series with Keith Curlee and Ben Ward discussing classic Christmas carols and their amazing, deep theology. Today we are delving into “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” by Charles Wesley.
Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
Listen to Ben’s podcast: https://benwardmusic.com/morningprayer
Join us in this new podcast series with Keith Curlee and Ben Ward discussing classic Christmas carols and their amazing, deep theology. This is the first of five episodes, O Come, O Come Emmanuel.
Listen to Ben’s podcast: https://benwardmusic.com/morningprayer
We come to the last day of Hanukkah with the Spirit, anointed oil, and the word of God, His light, returning to the Holy Place. The supernatural sign to Israel of His promise of His mercy and the end to His anger. He is slow to anger, but when angered it is not without end.
The number eight is significant in scripture, meaning new beginnings. For Israel, this time in their history will bring a greater light than creation has ever seen. The true light that will never be darkened and will shine for all eternity. Jesus, God’s light, shining forth, into the very hearts of men.
The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great Light, And those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, Upon them a Light dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 4:16-17
Our response to His light is to “Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.“ (Isaiah 60:1)
This is not just His Light, but now has become our Light to shine We are His Light, shining for His Glory, so that men will see and also glorify God. His light risen on us and shining through us. This is not a reflection of Him, but it is refracted light, which is like a prism. It is called bent light. That which comes into us and then is bent out of us. Thus we are to let our light shine.
On this last day let us set our hearts on Yeshua (Jesus), encouraged and returning to God. He spoke of knowing His sheep and following His voice on a day that celebrated the return to the Torah.
From its inception, Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication, is a time and season for rededication to God. It could refer to the rededication of the Temple at the time of the Maccabean revolt. But what started the revolt was dedication to the Torah and to the God of Israel.
God loves responding to those who take the time to dedicate and rededicate themselves to His ways, regardless of personal cost.