December 20th

What Child is This?

• Lyrics

  What Child is this who, laid to rest
  On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
  Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
  While shepherds watch are keeping?
  This, this is Christ the King,
  Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
  Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
  The Babe, the Son of Mary.

  Why lies He in such mean estate,
  Where ox and ass are feeding
  Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
  The silent Word is pleading.
  Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
  The cross be borne for me, for you.
  Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
  The Babe, the Son of Mary.

  So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
  Come peasant, king to own Him;
  The King of kings salvation brings,
  Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
  Raise, raise a song on high,
  The virgin sings her lullaby.
  Joy, joy for Christ is born,
  The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Scripture

“The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
a light has dawned
on those living in the land of darkness.
You have enlarged the nation
and increased its joy.
The people have rejoiced before you
as they rejoice at harvest time
and as they rejoice when dividing spoils.
For you have shattered their oppressive yoke
and the rod on their shoulders,
the staff of their oppressor,
just as you did on the day of Midian.
For every trampling boot of battle
and the bloodied garments of war
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child will be born for us,
a son will be given to us,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
He will be named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
The dominion will be vast,
and its prosperity will never end.
He will reign on the throne of David
and over his kingdom,
to establish and sustain it
with justice and righteousness from now on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this.”

— Isaiah 9:2-7 (CSB)

Other Scripture reading:

Psalm 145, Acts 16:25-34

Discussion Questions

1. What are some things in your life, right now, that you can give God praise for?

2. How do your interactions on social media bring praise to God? If they don’t, how can you change that?

3. What can you do to develop a more praiseful attitude in any situation?