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Written by Raven Carey-James, a contemporary writer and marketing specialist. 

As a justice major and Black American, my heart is always with those on the margins. I stay awake at night thinking of citizens in Gaza, Nigeria, Sudan, and Jamaica who are grieving and desperate to rebuild their lives in the wake of tragedy. Even here in the States, I’m mindful of immigrants facing oppression, … families enduring food insecurity, or parents fearing for their children’s safety in schools. In a world marked by conflict and uncertainty, it’s not easy to keep hope and joy alive. Still, [I’m reminded] that with the Lord, joy is possible. In our communities, workplaces, and leadership practices, placing our hope in God and nurturing joy through unprecedented times strengthens us.  However, practicing joy takes active listeningand intention. Luke Bobo reminds us thatjoy is grounded in our knowledge of who God is and in trusting God’s promises even when circumstances are bleak. Amid pain and injustice, God can sustain us. Through prayer, silent reflection, and generosity, we can collectively rediscover joy and renew our hope for a better world.

Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. [Nehemiah 8:10]

Written by Louie Giglio, a contemporary pastor, speaker, and author.

We were created with a deep longing for God, yet many of us mistake that thirst for other desires. Only God, the living water, can truly satisfy our souls and restore us to the relationship for which we were made. 

Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.  [John 7:38]

Written by Sarah Ivill, a contemporary writer, Bible teacher, and speaker.

Most people find it very difficult to be content. Contentment is difficult because we are fallen people living in a fallen world. No longer do we worship God alone and work for His glory. Until Jesus returns, we will battle the desire to want Christ plus someone or something else. But be encouraged. If you are united to Christ by faith, you can truly, though not perfectly, be content…One of the reasons we find it hard to be content is because we don’t really trust that God loves us and is working all things for our good. But when we “see what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God” and believe that “for those who love God all things work together for good,” then we can rest in His plans for our lives…we can stop trying to control who we are and what we have, and instead, we can be content with the truth that the Lord is King over all…If we are living for the things of this world, we will never be content…Instead of pursuing the pleasures of this world, we are to pursue “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” and “take hold of the eternal life to which [we] were called.”

I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content . . . I can do all things through him who strengthens me. [Philippians 4:11, 13]

Written by Raechel Myers, a contemporary author.

Whether it’s Christmas morning or evening, whether you’re home or traveling, with the ones you love or apart from them, whether it looks the way you hoped or not, Christmas came, didn’t it?  The day we remember the birth of our lowly baby-King, the day we worship with wonder the God who can form bones in a virgin’s womb, and the day we contemplate all that it means that our Creator would choose to be Creator-with-us, is finally here! … God kept His two-millennia-old promise to Abram. He chose righteous Joseph and Mary to appear unrighteous in order to be the parents of His only Son. He invited the uninvited shepherds to hear the news first by sending an actual crowd of angels to proclaim literal “peace on earth” to their weary ears. God came in the least and most spectacular way, to be with us…God with” not only happened in Bethlehem then. It extends beyond Galilee and Jerusalem. Because of Christmas, “God with” is even bigger than the pillar of fire at night and cloud by day. It’s not only in tents or temples or burning bushes. Because of Bethlehem, and because Jesus left us His Spirit, “God with” reaches from Nazareth to Nairobi to New Hampshire, from Capernaum to Charlottetown to Colorado Springs. It extends from then to now to eternity because God intends to dwell with His people again in a way mankind hasn’t known since the garden…Today, consider as clearly as you possibly can the reality of “God with you.” And on this day that we remember and celebrate God becoming like us—God being with us—my prayer is that the most remarkable part of your day (more than gifts or food or fellowship or lack of any of these things) will be that you met with the One who came as a baby in a manger, that you know Him personally and sensed His Spirit’s presence with you today. That … our preparations for the Christmas season would dim in comparison to our preparations for the return of our King. That “God with us” would be both our comfort and our aim. And, whether I’m the first or the fortieth to say it to you today, Merry Christmas, beloved one. Jesus came for you, and that is worth celebrating today!

But when the right time came, the time God decided on, he sent his Son, born of a woman, born as a Jew, to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law so that he could adopt us as his very own sons. [Galatians 4:4-5]

Written by Brenda Meredith from The Village Church

As a child in public elementary school, we learned “Silent Night” during class time. What struck me most wasn’t just the melody—it was the atmosphere it created. The usual classroom antics faded away. A calm reverence settled over us as we sang, each of us quietly moved by the image of a holy night and a holy infant. I believe the lyrics touched more than just our school day; I’m sure some classmates carried that hallowed feeling home to their families. I remember singing the third verse with all my heart: “Son of God, love’s pure light.” I wanted everyone to hear that part clearly. Even then, I sensed the weight of those words—the bright love of Christ shining into the world. Years later, “O Holy Night” swept me away. The opening lines—“the stars are brightly shining” and “it is the night of our dear Savior’s birth”—lay the foundation for a soul’s response. But it’s the chorus, “Fall on your knees!”, that still brings tears to my eyes. I can hear the music swell in my mind, as if angel voices are joining the congregation in worship. It’s as though the most powerful notes were saved for that moment of surrender. I dare anyone to listen with an open heart and not be deeply moved. So today, I encourage you: put on your favorite music that points to God—seasonal or not. Open your heart to love’s pure light. Be brave enough to worship Him, just you and Him. He has proven Himself holy and worthy of our adoration. Enjoy the sacred time when He inhabits your praise. And may you share that gift with others—with joy, with boldness, and with abandon.

Silent night, holy night. Son of God, love’s pure light. Radiant beams from Thy holy face. With the dawn of redeeming grace. Jesus Lord, at Thy birth. Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.

Written by Juan Carlos Acostsa, Director of Worship at The Village Church

One of my all-time favorite verses from my one of my all-time favorite carols is the final verse of “In the Bleak Midwinter.” Christina Rossetti apparently did not intend for this poem to be set as a hymn, despite that as a poem it was simply titled “A Christmas Carol.” Despite the irregular rhythm of each line, and not lending itself to a hymn setting, the 1906 Hymnal (Church of England) included a setting by Gustav Holst,

composer of The Planets. In 1911 Harold Darke published a setting for choir that fit the text a little better. I love them both and have fond memories of singing, playing, and conducting many settings over the years. The final verse (4^th in the Holst and 5^th in the Darke) is the one that really speaks to me. It places the author in the directly in the Christmas story (see below). Oftentimes when I get to this point on Christmas Eve, I am emptied out. I have given all of my energy to concerts, multiple services, caroling, holiday, and family functions. This song helps remind me that the most important thing I can give is my heart. Not gifts. Not my busyness. Not even my music. Somehow it helps center me in what ends up being the busiest season of the year for me.  I am partial to this recording and setting because I think it captures a bit of the mystery of the text. And because we recorded in the Sanctuary of the Village Church.

What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

Written by Janet Denison, a contemporary writer. This is an excerpt from her devotional “The Songs Tell the Story.”

“The First Noel” might be one of the oldest hymns we have. Some think the tune was written in the 1200s, but the Christmas words were added six hundred years later. The word noel comes from a Latin word that means “to be born,” but noel later came to mean Christmas. Consequently, “The First Noel” means “The First Christmas.” We know people have been celebrating the birth of Jesus since 300 AD, which means Christians have formally and collectively celebrated his birth for seventeen hundred years. And, if “The First Noel” was first sung in the 1800s, people like Abraham Lincoln might have sung it. Your great-great-great grandparents may have sung it. Pause for a moment and consider how many people have sung about that first Christmas, occurring on a “cold winter’s night that was so deep.” The problem with that “cold winter’s night” is that Jesus was likely born sometime in the spring…So why does “The First Noel” contain that line? Because, by the time the hymn had been written, Christmas was celebrated in December—when it’s cold. In other words, that one line of the hymn was written to match its own time rather than the biblical times. But, that trivia doesn’t change the truth about Christmas. The first Christmas was announced by angels who appeared to shepherds in a field. People have been “announcing” and celebrating the story of Christ’s birth ever since. When you sing “The First Noel,” you sing about the first Christmas, and your voice joins with millions of others throughout history. People have always wanted to announce the true meaning of Christmas, just as “the angels did say.” What will you announce about Christmas this year?

The first Noel the angels did say, was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay. In fields where they lay keeping their sheep on a cold winter’s night that was so deep. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel. Born is the King of Israel.

Written by Vickie Stone from The Village Church

December of 2000 would be the first Christmas my family would navigate after the loss of my big sis to cancer at age 40. She was our social director and the Christmas season, just 3 months after Lorrie’s passing, seemed empty without her. Songs of the season only reminded me of how much my sister loved Christmas time. For several years the heartache was heavy, as anyone who’s lost a loved one understands as they face the holidays. I recall sitting in my living room looking at my Christmas lights one year, and a song played, “And in despair I bowed my head: “There is no peace on earth,” I said.”  That fits, I thought.  Yet, the following lines of the song forced open my heart and tenderly reminded me of the significance of the Savior’s birth:  “Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men”. When Henry Longfellow penned these words over 150 years ago. He was himself in the grips of despair, from the tragic loss of his wife in a fire and the serious injury of his son in the Civil War. Indeed, our very country was also hurting.   So how poignant that now and over the decades, Longfellow’s lyrics can be so comforting to a hurting world. Whether during war times, terrorist attacks, mass shootings, or even this year’s horrific political assassinations including that of young Christian Charlie Kirk who encouraged so many to open their Bibles and believe in the Savior. So, let us hold fast to our faith and celebrate this Christmas and every day of the year, remembering God is not dead. He was born a baby to enter our world and save us; and nothing will ever separate us from Him.

When men repent and turn from sin the Prince of Peace then enters in, and grace imparts within their hearts His peace on earth, good will to men. O souls amid earth’s busy strife, the Word of God is light and life; Oh, hear His voice, make Him your choice, Hail peace on earth, good will to men. Then happy, singing on your way, your world will change from night to day; your heart will feel the message real, of peace on earth, good will to men.

Written by Joanne Melton from The Village Church

When I was around seven or eight years old, my sister and I took piano lessons every Saturday.   My mother was an excellent pianist, and my sister was on the way to being that good.  Unfortunately, that was not on my list of fun things to do.  I would have preferred being outside climbing trees, talking with my friends, riding a bike…but, alas and alack, piano practice was part of my weekly activities. So, with a frown on my face, I sat down at the piano bench and began my practice.  There was a new piece of music I had never seen before.  The cover was fascinating…there was a picture of an angel on it.  She was just beautiful! I opened the first page and looked at the music.  It appeared that maybe I could play this…when I started the first stanza, I was just totally amazed with the words and the music together.  The more I began to play, the music filled my head. It was in the very first verse that my breath was taken away: “Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born! O night, O Holy night, O night divine!” Can anything be more beautiful than those words?  I appreciate the hymn every time I hear it played!

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining; it is the night of the dear Savior’s birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn! Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices! O night divine! O night when Christ was born!

Written by Nina Pope from The Village Church

For me, it started at an early age…as far back as I can remember, I used to sing myself to sleep nightly. Prior to the emergence of what we now call a record player, in the era of the “Victrola,” I listened to and learned the entire score of the musical “South Pacific.” To this day, a chord or two of “Some Enchanted Evening” still warms my heart. By the time I got into the church children’s choir at about age 9, I was fully invested in Christmas music. Those were the days when Christmas hymns were commonly heard on the radio or publicly sung in school, and when many people seemed to know the lyrics of hymns and went caroling. At one Christmas pageant, our choir sang a jubilant presentation of “Angels We Have Heard on High,” which remains a personal favorite. Over the years, many other lyrics found their way into my repertoire, and today I enjoy those sacred songs by various artists from croonings by Nat King Cole to Willie Nelson and beyond. My very favorite lyric by far is lifted from verse 3 of “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” which actually calls us to silent reverence. Wishing you a soothing, musical Christmas filled with silent, eternal truths.

How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is giv’n! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heav’n. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.