In Bethlehem, long before …

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A stranger poor, she could but glean,
on charity dependent,
her faithful kindness had been seen,
received reward abundant:
the master and his men made sure
she had their full protection,
on purpose left her gleanings more,
and shared their lunch provision.

This was in Bethlehem, long ago,
where faith in God had waned,
but Ruth, from Moab, came to know
Him, and his blessings gained.
That girl the godly master wed –
what joy at Obed’s birth,
and his descendant, far ahead
would be Christ, come to earth.
Tune; CMD
from the book of Ruth in the Bible

What do you want most this Christmas?

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He offers what we need the most –
sent Jesus here to bear the cost.
He gives us new desires for things
his love and grace in Jesus brings.

So do you want what is the best,
the damaging desires lost?
Those things which we enjoyed at first
were soon disclosed as really worst.

The ways of God are sometimes hard,
and joy for now is sometimes marred
by troubles, yet faith knows support
and in your heart his joy is wrought.

Tune: LM

‘The true light which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world’ John 1:9

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“Let there be light!” He said, and so
into the dark light shone.
Now he’ll illuminate our hearts
– dark ignorance then gone.

He came into the world as man
to teach, display and save –
from Bethlehem to Calvary
then rose up from the grave.

Creating light, creating stars,
and nebulae immense.
He knows all truth, and thus can give
real insight, life makes sense.

And all his words recorded are
a torch, a lamp to guide,
to counter lies that trip, entrap:
we can in joy abide.

Tune: CM

Memory Priorites

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Remember the Babe born in Bethlehem,
remember his death in Jerusalem,
remember he ordered the wind and waves,
remember he’s God and he hears and saves.

Remember some times when oppressors sought
to hurt and enslave, but some bravely fought,
and though none were perfect, remember please
they offered their living to bring us peace.

And many of them were aware of when
it seemed there was nothing to stop evil men
succeeding in schemeings malicious, but God
prevented, deflected and safety restored.

So whether we live here a little while more,
and when we face death’s gate, or troubles galore,
remember the one perfect Saviour and Lord
– repent and receive and take him at his word.

Lion and Lamb

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The Lion King who roars,
establishing his laws,
who shakes complacency and will
his glorious plans fulfil.

The sacrificial Lamb
to bear God’s judgment came
and then let foolish people slay
Him, but He won the day.

So powerful yet so meek,
so strong and never weak,
what might to forge the rescue way,
to bring us grace today.

Tune: SM

Abraham’s willingness, Christ’s Great Sacrifice

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How Abram loved his God – in Him his trust,
he knew He was his Shield, Provider just;
and so this strange command he would obey –
and give his only son, knew not what way
the Father’s promise now he would fulfil,
but knew he would so do through Isaac still.

The sacrifice of children is abhorred
in God’s most precious Bible, holy Word.
This was a time unique and pointed on
to what by God the Father would be done:
that day He brought as substitute a ram,
but Christ would be the sacrificial Lamb.

In love astounding, God gave his own Son
into this world to die – salvation won
so no-one else need perish who’ll believe
but have eternal life, this grace receive.
See, Abram loved his God, and God loved him:
God’s love to all the world Christ came to bring.

Tune: 10 10 10 10 10 1 0 eg Finlandia (tune of ‘Be still my soul, the Lord is on Thy side’)

Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from the dead. (from Hebrews 11:17-19; ref to Genesis chapter 22:1-19 esp v5 ‘We will worship and then we will come back to you.’)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

The Champion against the thief

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The Son of Man defeats Satan

Robbing of purpose
robbing of joy,
the thief who deceives us
desires to destroy,
damaging, causing
sadness and grief
all is confusing
– who’ll bring relief?

Needing a Champion
to conquer the foe,
and re-provision
mercy to know
This Man could win us
happiness, peace
new sense of purpose
freedom, release.

Satan was conquered
now held under rein
still he can tempt us
from good and from gain.
Knows what his end is,
that Jesus has power
and we know our Friend is
our strength every hour.

Tune: 54 54 54 54 eg ‘Thine own way’ by George Stebbins (tune of ‘Have Thine own way, Lord’

Life after Death

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What is there after death? –
All puzzle as they think,
but from their exiting this earth
their meditations shrink.

Why do so few give thought
to news of him who rose
up from the dead, and clearly taught
– its key he only knows.

Many do not believe
and can’t be bothered to
investigate – and so deceive
themselves, miss message true.

Some maybe do accept
but do not understand
the awesome wonderful concept
that God for you has planned.

As Adam sinned and earned
death coming to each one,
the death of Jesus, who returned
brought Life by what he’d done!

Tune: SM: eg Trentham by Robert Jackson, tune of ‘Breathe on me, breath of God’

Romans 5:12, 15, 18

Jesus approaching his departure

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The time was coming soon – he knew
just what he’d have to bear and do
in love to save his people – all
who would for his salvation call.

Before returning to his throne,
for all our sins he would atone,
and then present his sacrifice
God would not need that payment twice.

And in the garden then he knew
the depth of suffering he’d go through:
“If possible …” we hear him pray,
but knew there was no other way.

No other way his Father’s will
and all things needful to fulfil
so we could with our Saviour live
and glory to Christ Jesus give.

John 13:1 Matthew 26:39 Hebrews 12:2b Isaiah 53:10b,11
Tune: LM eg Niagara by Robert Jackson (tune of ‘The Lord is King! lift up your voice

Answers – Clarity

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Wisdom’s calling:
answers now
for those troubled, wondering how
to make sense of troubled days,
progress through life’s complex maze.

Wisdom nourishes, gives peace,
love and hope, fulfilment’s feast;
though the way be hard, sustained,
and our hearts and minds re-trained.

Not acceptance thoughtless, blind –
it illuminates the mind,
sharpening our intelligence
so that what we see makes sense.

And Christ’s words are understood,
missing key to all that’s good,
when foundation stone’s in place
path through life and death we trace.

Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares … “How long you simple ones will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge. …whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure without fear of evil.”
Proverbs 1:20, 22, 32