Hollowed Manger Ground

Merry Christmas Eve!!! We have reached the end of our devotional and my favorite day of the Christmas season. I love the quiet reverence of Christmas Eve. The candles, the songs, the focus on Mary, Joseph, the angels and shepherds. Just as God pierced the darkness with his light of life at creation, he once again bursts forth in light at the birth of his son. It’s easy to miss, though. Most missed it when Christ was born. They were busily traveling for the census, hurriedly going on with their lives, looking for a political rescue. Let’s quiet down in chaos and open our hearts and minds to this tender moment when God’s Light breaks into our darkness with a newborn cry. Let’s put aside the consumer Christmas focus until tomorrow and today be in awe of our God! This song is another newer one to me and I love it! Here’s a link to a beautiful video of it.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpYzuSbkkwg ​
I’ve loved this journey of Emmanuel with you and am so thankful for each and everyone of you who took this journey through the Bible with me. Merry Christmas!

Father God, thank you for breaking into our darkness with your glorious light. We pray today that you’d help us to pause and focus on you, on our Savior, on Emmanuel, God with us. Thank you that we belong to you. Thank you that you pour your strength into us in our struggles. Thank you to that we are never alone. Today, help us to trust you and to rest in you, to celebrate your glorious salvation for us.
 
Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground)
What hope we hold this starlit night
A King is born in Bethlehem
Our journey long, we seek the light
That leads to the hallowed manger ground

What fear we felt in the silent age
Four-hundred years can He be found
But broken by a baby's cry
Rejoice in the hallowed manger ground

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
God incarnate, here to dwell
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Praise His name Emmanuel

The son of God, here born to bleed
A crown of thorns would pierce His brow
And we beheld this offering
Exalted now the King of kings
Praise God for the hallowed manger ground

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
God incarnate, here to dwell
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Praise His name Emmanuel

Oh, praise His name Emmanuel
Oh, praise His name Emmanuel
 
By Chris Tomlin and Ed Cash