December 17th

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing

• Lyrics

  HARK! the Herald Angels sing
  Glory to the new-born King!
  Peace on Earth, and Mercy mild,
  God and Sinners reconcil'd.
  Joyful all ye Nations rise,
  Join the Triumphs of the Skies;
  Nature rise and worship him,
  Who is born at Bethlehem.

  Christ by highest Heav'n ador'd,
  Christ the everlasting Lord;
  Late in Time behold-him come,
  Offspring of the Virgin's Womb.
  Veil'd in Flesh the Godhead see,
  Hail th' incarnate Deity!
  Pleas'd as Man with Men t'appear,
  Jesus our Emmanuel here.

  Hail the Heav'n-born Prince of Peace
  Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
  Light and Life around he brings,
  Ris'n with Healing in his Wings.
  Mild he lays his Glory by,
  Born that Men no more may die;
  Born to raise the Sons of Earth,
  Born to give them second Birth.

Scripture

“Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

— 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (CSB)

Other Scripture reading:

John 3:1-21, 2 Corinthians 5:11-17

Discussion Questions

1. What are some comforting truths you can celebrate today?

2. What does the “ministry of reconciliation” mean to you?

3. How does being made a new creation affect your daily life?