beautiful.advent

THE BEAUTIFUL NAME

HE sent redemption to HIS people; HE has commanded HIS covenant forever. Holy and awesome is HIS name!
~ Psalm 111:9 || ESV

GOD is a redeemer, a rescuer WHO brings a freedom to people in their less-than-GOD nature and amazingly forgives them of their sin. There may not be a more beautiful or accurate name for GOD than the word “REDEEMER”.

That is why the psalmist says that GOD sent redemption to HIS people. HE recognized that the history of Israel is the history of redemption. The pattern is most clearly shown in the book of Judges, but it appears over and over again throughout scripture. Israel falls into sin, the people call on GOD for help and GOD redeems the land. Certainly anyone reading the Old Testament would feel that redemption … forgiveness was GOD’s trade.

The New Testament emphasizes the same truth. The name “JESUS” means savior or redeemer and that name was assigned to our LORD even before HE was born, for Joseph was told, “HE shall save HIS people from their sins.” The whole significance and purpose of Advent is in this beautiful name REDEEMER. If GOD is a GOD who redeems, then we need to live, breathe and move in anticipation of the coming of our SAVIOR. If GOD does not redeem, we are waisting our time.

… but we know better.

Even though most of our thoughts right now are concentrated on the Christmas story, we should not forget the cost of our redemption.

You were ransomed…not with perishable things such as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of CHRIST.
~ 1 Peter 1:18-19a || ESV

Even at Advent and Christmas we must not forget what it cost GOD to wear that beautiful name - REDEEMER.

That is what Christmas is all about. As we hear again the familiar story of the coming of CHRIST, we are reminded of the name REDEEMER.

GOD will redeem us! HE does it because HE is GOD!

Large portions of this were taken from “The Days Before Christmas” by W.A. Poovey

THOU THE PROMISE

THOU the Promise
and KEEPER of the promise
our SALVATION
and our only SAVIOR
our redemption
our REDEEMER
THOU art ours
and we are THINE

SAVIOR, SERVANT
DELIVERER, MESSIAH
our great KING, DESIRE of all Nations
tired eyes at last can see YOU
longing lips can speak YOUR name

JESUS CHRIST
JESUS CHRIST
JESUS CHRIST

THOU the LAMB
and yet the SHEPHERD
THOU the LAMB
and yet the LION
THOU great JUDGE
and selfsame SAVIOR
in wonder we cry out to THEE

O EMMANUEL | THE GREAT O ANTIPHONS

If you did not read The Great O Antiphons post please take a moment to do so before reading on. It will help greatly in understanding what you are about to read.

DECEMBER 23 | O EMMANUEL | O GOD WITH US

“O EMMANUEL, GOD with us, Our KING and LAWGIVER, the expected of the nations and their SAVIOUR: Come to save us, O LORD our GOD. Amen.”

Therefore the LORD HIMSELF will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a SON, and shall call HIS name IMMANUEL.”
~ Isaiah 7:14 || ESV

Corresponding verse from the Advent hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel:

Oh, come, oh, come, EMMANUEL, And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here, Until the SON of GOD appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! EMMANUEL, Shall come to you, O Israel!

This concludes the seven Great O Antiphons. Hopefully they have been a tremendous blessing as you have meditated on them each evening. They truly tell the amazing story of the advent movement towards the incarnation. We also hope you have a newfound respect and honor for the advent hymn “O Come, O Come EMMANUEL”. It is truly an amazing work of art.

As we enter the remaining two days of Advent let us continue to keep our hearts in a place of meditation and anticipation of our great and mighty MESSIAH, EMMANUEL!

Audio

Since we are moving through the Great O Antiphons, it just seems right to share a different version of “O Come, O Come EMMANUEL” each day through the remaining antiphons.

Today’s version is from the album “Headed Home - Christmas Songs, Vol. 2 - EP” by Folk Angel. Be sure to check out the rest of the album if you like what you hear:

• Folk Angel - Headed Home - Christmas Songs, Vol. 2 - EP (Amazon)
• Folk Angel - Headed Home - Christmas Songs, Vol. 2 - EP (iTunes)

O REX GENTIUM | THE GREAT O ANTIPHONS

O ORIENS | THE GREAT O ANTIPHONS

If you did not read The Great O Antiphons post please take a moment to do so before reading on. It will help greatly in understanding what you are about to read.

DECEMBER 21 | O ORIENS

“O DAWN of the East, brightness of light eternal, and SUN of JUSTICE: Come, and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. Amen.”

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.”
~ Isaiah 9:2 || ESV

Corresponding verse from the Advent hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel:

Oh, come, our DAYSPRING from on high, And cheer us by YOUR drawing nigh,
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! EMMANUEL, Shall come to you, O Israel!

Audio

Since we are moving through the Great O Antiphons, it just seems right to share a different version of “O Come, O Come EMMANUEL” each day through the remaining antiphons.

Today’s musical piece is yet another interlude and very beautifully done. It is from the album “Salvation is Created: a Christmas Record from Bifrost Arts” by Bifrost Arts. Be sure to check out the rest of the album if you like what you hear:

• Bifrost Arts - Salvation is Created: a Christmas Record from Bifrost Arts (Amazon)
• Bifrost Arts - Salvation is Created: a Christmas Record from Bifrost Arts (iTunes)