The Spirit before Christ

We often associate the activity and work of the Holy Spirit with the New Testament church era, and this makes sense – the scope of the work of the Spirit was certainly a bit different in the Old Testament. Grudem’s Systematic Theology states that the work of the Holy Spirit is to “manifest the active presence of God in the world, and especially in the church” (Grudem, 1994, Ch. 30). In the Old Testament, God was manifest in many unique ways outside of specific mention of the Holy Spirit. These are the glorious displays of his presence which would have been jaw-dropping to see, the “theophanies”, or physical ways in which God and his glory was present: a hip-popping wrestler, a burning bush, an angel or commander, a quiet voice, the fourth man in the fire in Babylon, heavenly fire leading his people or filling his temple. All of this most crucially leading to him embodied as a craftsman from Nazareth. 

Today, in the church age, the primary way that God is manifest is through the Holy Spirit, poured out on all people (Joel 2, Acts 2). The breadth of the Holy Spirit’s work in and through people undoubtedly changed at Pentecost. But his objective has not. What we sometimes miss as we are caught up in “What exactly can the Spirit help us do?” and “Can some people have more of the Spirit than others?” is that the Spirit is working to bring about evidence of God’s presence, not evidence of our greatness. As Spirit-filled believers, we would do well to look to the Old Testament to see whom God filled with his Spirit, situations where his Spirit is mentioned, and for what purposes. He is working those purposes through us even still. 

The Spirit works for the purpose of displaying beauty worthy of the Creator: 

“See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. Exodus 31:2-5

The Spirit works within people for the leading of his people (as only he can): 

I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you [Moses] and put it on them [Israel’s leaders]. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone. Numbers 11:17 

The Lord replied to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. Numbers 27:18 (CSB)

The Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you. 1 Samuel 10:6-7 [Saul anointed]

So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah. Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul,… 1 Samuel 16:13-14a [David anointed]

The Spirit’s presence was a protection in difficult times (and whose absence was a crisis): 

(concerning Israel and the exodus)

Yet they rebelled
    and grieved his Holy Spirit.
So he turned and became their enemy
    and he himself fought against them.

Then his people recalled the days of old,
    the days of Moses and his people—
where is he who brought them through the sea,
    with the shepherd of his flock?
Where is he who set
    his Holy Spirit among them,

who sent his glorious arm of power
    to be at Moses’ right hand,
who divided the waters before them,
    to gain for himself everlasting renown,

who led them through the depths? Isaiah 63:10-13

Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51:11

The Spirit provides guidance (both in wisdom and physically):

Teach me to do your will,

for you are my God;

may your good Spirit

lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10

The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. Ezekiel 37:1

The Spirit reveals the word of God:  

And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe. And the Spirit of God came upon him, and he took up his discourse Numbers 24:2-3

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners, Isaiah 61:1

They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Zechariah 7:12

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:21

May we read these words and find boldness that he who worked these things for Israel has now been poured into us, for the flourishing of his church and the manifestation of the presence of God in this world (Joel 2:28). 

Advent 2022: His Peace

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Editor’s Note: The theme for this year’s Advent reflections is Immanuel, Jesus has Come Here. God has always been present in the world, but with the coming of Jesus as an infant, he is also made present with his people. Our sin separates us from God, but through a baby, Immanuel, he draws us close.

This week, as we explore the blessings of Immanuel, God with us, we finish our Advent reflections by thinking on the peace that comes from Jesus.

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Sometimes the carols from our youth hold a message for today. I feel that way about Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”

You may not know that the poem which is now set to music was written by Longfellow on Christmas Day 1863, two years after his wife had died, in the depths of the Civil War, while nursing his soldier son. Longfellow was an abolitionist and was deeply depressed following his wife’s horrific death, but somehow the church bells that Christmas morning reminded him of a deeper truth, a truth that was stronger than his depression and pain.

One of the verses begins, “In despair I bowed my head; ‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said; ‘for hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, good-will to men.’” 

That’s often how I feel. Peace and good-will are platitudes that are thrown around, but people don’t have the courage, or perhaps the example to follow, to make that a reality.  How can we?  It is not human nature to offer good-will to others, especially when they are outside our group, outside our understanding.  But it is in God’s nature to do so. He is the one who sent His son from heaven to earth to show us a way of peace. The song continues, “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.’”

This verse is a lyrical hint of God’s redemption described in Jesus’ own words in John 16:33,

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Jesus has overcome the world!

As we come to this last week—this last day—of Advent, on Christmas Eve and are once again confronted with the unbelievable accounts of Jesus’ birth—His coming—let us not make it a puzzle to be somehow cleverly solved but rather take a moment to peacefully ponder(1) all that was, all that is, and all that is to come, proclaiming again, with great confidence that Jesus is our peace.

(1.      Dr. Natasha Duquette, Vice-President Academic and Professor of Literature, Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College, Barry’s Bay, Ontario, Canada, https://ccca.biola.edu/advent/2022/#day-nov-29 )

Reflection:

1. Write in a journal some things that cause you stress, that take away your rest.  Then in a prayer, say “Jesus, ______________ is taking away my peace.  But I know that you are greater than this. It does not surprise you. It does not overwhelm you like it does me. I am claiming your peace, knowing you have already overcome this. Help me to rest in you.”

2. Find a bell, not a jingle bell, but something louder, deeper. If you can’t find a bell, make one. Fill a metal container with some water and strike it. Ring it and remember that God is not dead. He does not sleep.  Read aloud Psalm 121. If you can’t find or make a bell, go for a walk and listen for the carillon of a local church to remind you of the truths of Psalm 121.

3. Invite your family to sit and experience the quiet.  Pause with your eyes closed. Say “Jesus” and then let yourself lean into the silence for 60 seconds. Open your eyes and do a silent group hug. This may be the only quiet you get in a chaotic, celebratory week.  Enjoy it!

Advent 2022: His Perfection

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Editor’s Note: The theme for this year’s Advent reflections is Immanuel, Jesus has Come Here. God has always been present in the world, but with the coming of Jesus as an infant, he is also made present with his people. Our sin separates us from God, but through a baby, Immanuel, he draws us close.

This week, as we explore the blessings of Immanuel, God with us, we reflect on Jesus coming here and the gift of his perfection.

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One of my sons has inherited his mother’s unfortunate tendency towards perfectionism. When he tries but fails to master some new concept in school or in play perfectly, the frustration, shame, or defensiveness—or some combination of feelings—threatens to pull him down. But just as I know he will never be perfect, our heavenly Father knows he, nor I, nor any one of us, will ever be perfect. In fact, that inability to measure up to a 100%-perfection-all-the-time-every-time standard is the very reason Jesus came.

“For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:20

Prior to Jesus, the Israelites measured their right-standing with God through adherence to the Mosaic Law. The Law had many purposes, such as to set the nation of Israel apart from other nations, but chief among them was to reveal to God’s chosen people who he is and who they were— people who fell short of his standard of perfection, and were, therefore, in need of saving. For the people of the Law, that saving came through prescribed sacrifices, which needed to be regularly offered to the Lord.   

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoptions as sons.” Galatians 4:4-5

“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” Hebrews 10:14

Immanuel came down to a broken world full of imperfect people, the spotless lamb. He faced earthly temptations, experienced the realities of this world, knew the exacting nature of high standards, and yet he remained without sin. His perfection covers our imperfection. And even more mind-blowing is that the driver behind this greatest act of all time, as identified for us in John 3:16, is God’s love for us. Timothy Keller famously says,

“The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”

From one recovering perfectionist to anyone else out there that struggles under the weight of something that is impossible, nor was ever meant to be attained, let us give endless praise to the One who has always been, is always, will forever be Perfect.

This Advent season, let us push off the weight of guilt and shame set by impossibly high standards, not as an excuse to continue in sin, but to fall headlong into his arms of grace. He came. Jesus came. Immanuel came.

Reflection:

1. Do you tend to hold yourself up to an impossible standard or do you use grace as an excuse to continue in sin?

2. Spend some time reflecting on who Christ is and the fact that Immanuel, the Son of God, was both without sin and came to cover us with his righteousness.

Advent 2021: Christ

God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay.

Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day

to save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray.

Oh tidings of comfort and joy!

Our Christ has come! The Greek word Christos, which we’ve translated as Christ, literally means Anointed One. Jesus, the Anointed One, has come.

A key ingredient in the sacred anointing oil used at the temple was myrrh, the very gift that the wise men gave to Jesus when they visited the one the star had led them to see. This holy oil was only to be used on priests—those in service to God—not on “ordinary people.”1 (Exodus 30:22-33) Did the wise men know they were offering the anointing oil to the Anointed One? What does it mean to be the Anointed One, the Christ? 

Only two types of people were anointed: priests, as mentioned above, and kings. Jesus was anointed as both our high priest2 (Hebrews 5:5-10) and our king3 (Matthew 2:2). To what purpose was Jesus anointed as king and high priest?

When Jesus first starts His ministry, recorded in Luke 4, He reads from Isaiah 61:1-2 and 42:7.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

    because he has anointed me

    to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives

    and recovering of sight to the blind,

    to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

Jesus, the Christ, came to set all things right and to free us from being bound by sin and Satan’s power. This truly is something in which we can take comfort and joy. Jesus Christ was born to save us all from Satan’s power while we were still blind from sin. As our high priest, He offered the ultimate sacrifice to atone for our sins once and for all. As our king, He leads us into an everlasting peace, and His perfect kingdom will never cease. He is our high priest and our king forever.

Lord, I pray that we may remember the hope we have in the Anointed One beyond this Christmas season and in our daily lives. May we put Christ on the throne as our king, and may we go to Christ as our priest in our trials. Thank you for rescuing us from sin and leading us in the way everlasting. To you be all glory and power forever and ever. Amen.

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1. Exodus 30:22-33-- The Lord said to Moses, “Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh 500 shekels, and of sweet-smelling cinnamon half as much, that is, 250, and 250 of aromatic cane, and 500 of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin of olive oil. And you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil blended as by the perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil. With it you shall anoint the tent of meeting and the ark of the testimony, and the table and all its utensils, and the lampstand and its utensils, and the altar of incense, and the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils and the basin and its stand. You shall consecrate them, that they may be most holy. Whatever touches them will become holy. You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. And you shall say to the people of Israel, ‘This shall be my holy anointing oil throughout your generations. It shall not be poured on the body of an ordinary person, and you shall make no other like it in composition. It is holy, and it shall be holy to you. Whoever compounds any like it or whoever puts any of it on an outsider shall be cut off from his people.’”

2. Hebrews 5:5-10-- So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

3. Matthew 2:2-- saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Advent 2021: Peace

“The people walking in darkness

have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness

a light has dawned…”

Isaiah 9:2

When we walk in darkness, we fumble and grasp for something to hold onto, looking for any sliver of light to lead us, guide us, and help us find our way. This year, I feel as though I come weary and limping into the Advent season. The heaviness and brokenness of the world we live in weighs on me. The brokenness, division, and disunity I see within the Church breaks my heart. The brokenness I see in myself, how often I mess up, fall short, disappoint those I love, and don’t reflect Jesus the way I want to. Everything just feels broken, heavy, dark, and I’m grasping for the light. 

And so, we light the Advent candle of peace today—and we wait.

We yearn and search for peace. God feels silent. We feel lost. We’re overwhelmed—burned out. Fear cripples us. Worry is our constant companion. We try meditation, self-care, setting intentions, vacations. We sedate, medicate, placate—all to find some relief from the heaviness of life. And while at times those things may be helpful and even necessary, there is only one source that can offer us true peace, Jesus, our Prince of Peace—my Prince of Peace.

And as the candle here offers a flicker of light in this great room, it only takes a flicker of His light to break through, pierce the darkness, and lead us home to Jesus, the light and source of true peace. 

“For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

His light fills the cracks in my broken heart, infusing a peace that surpasses all understanding. His peace replaces the fear with trust, my worries with His promises. 

Emmanuel has come. God is WITH us.

Because He is with me, I will not be afraid.

Because He is with me, I will not be shaken.

Because He is with me, His peace surrounds and comforts me.

Because He is with me, I can rejoice.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:4-9

We still wait—for His second coming, for Him to establish His kingdom and restore all things.  But we should not wait passively. We can talk with Jesus, linger in His presence, allow His Holy Spirit to lead us. We can extend His peace and hope to others – offering Jesus as the light to the darkness. His with-ness allows us to bear witness to others the peace and joy that can be found even in the midst of pain and suffering. We can remind one another of His promises, found in His word. 

His peace is with me—His peace is with you—because the Lord is near. Emmanuel has come. So let us, this weary world, rejoice!

What areas of my life do I need His peace?

How have I felt His nearness lately?

How can I share His peace with others?

Dear God, thank You for the gift of Your Son, Emmanuel, God with us. When Your love came down, light broke through the darkness. Your nearness and with-ness allow us to withstand the storms of life, grounding our faith with Your supernatural peace that surpasses all understanding. When the weight of this world overwhelms us, or our circumstances feel out of control, may we run to You, Jesus, and not to the temporary band-aids this world offers. May we allow You to hold us, comfort us, and heal us with Your perfect love, which casts out all fear. Let us offer Him the rags of our sin and brokenness and allow Him to clothe us with His righteousness through Jesus. May we no longer walk in the shame of our failures and shortcomings, but may we walk in this world as Your beloved and dance to the songs You sing over us. Oh, Prince of Peace, be our Peace at Christmas, and always.  Amen.

Reflections for Lent: Psalm 22

Editor’s Note:

Each Friday of the Lent season leading up to Easter, we have shared a passage of scripture that helps us reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. From before time, through Old Testament to New, this plan for God in the flesh to step down to earth and provide redemption has always been. This is the final week of Lent reflections*, and as we read the passage and think through the questions that follow, we invite you to reflect on what Christ did and His great love for us this Easter season.

The final reflection comes from Psalm 22. Written by David, in the most general sense, this psalm reflects his cry to God to save him from his enemies and ends with him thanking God for that salvation.  In a larger sense, this psalm, better than any other psalm, serves as a direct link between the Old Testament and Jesus’ passion.

Psalm 22

1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

    Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,

    and by night, but I find no rest.

3 Yet you are holy,

    enthroned on the praises of Israel.

4 In you our fathers trusted;

    they trusted, and you delivered them.

5 To you they cried and were rescued;

    in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

6 But I am a worm and not a man,

    scorned by mankind and despised by the people.

7 All who see me mock me;

    they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;

8 “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him;

    let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”

9 Yet you are he who took me from the womb;

    you made me trust you at my mother's breasts.

10 On you was I cast from my birth,

    and from my mother's womb you have been my God.

11 Be not far from me,

    for trouble is near,

    and there is none to help.

12 Many bulls encompass me;

    strong bulls of Bashan surround me;

13 they open wide their mouths at me,

    like a ravening and roaring lion.

14 I am poured out like water,

    and all my bones are out of joint;

my heart is like wax;

    it is melted within my breast;

15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd,

    and my tongue sticks to my jaws;

    you lay me in the dust of death.

16 For dogs encompass me;

    a company of evildoers encircles me;

they have pierced my hands and feet—

17 I can count all my bones—

they stare and gloat over me;

18 they divide my garments among them,

    and for my clothing they cast lots.

19 But you, O Lord, do not be far off!

    O you my help, come quickly to my aid!

20 Deliver my soul from the sword,

    my precious life from the power of the dog!

21     Save me from the mouth of the lion!

You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!

22 I will tell of your name to my brothers;

    in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:

23 You who fear the Lord, praise him!

    All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,

    and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!

24 For he has not despised or abhorred

    the affliction of the afflicted,

and he has not hidden his face from him,

    but has heard, when he cried to him. 

25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation;

    my vows I will perform before those who fear him.

26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;

    those who seek him shall praise the Lord!

    May your hearts live forever!

27 All the ends of the earth shall remember

    and turn to the Lord,

and all the families of the nations

    shall worship before you.

28 For kingship belongs to the Lord,

    and he rules over the nations.

29 All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship;

    before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,

    even the one who could not keep himself alive.

30 Posterity shall serve him;

    it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;

31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,

    that he has done it.

Reflection questions:

1. Jesus quoted David’s words in verse 1 while he was on the cross [Matthew 27:46]. What other verses in Psalm 22 point to the events of Good Friday?

2. Even as David is in distress, he chooses to praise God and remember His goodness. What characteristics of God does David reference in this passage?

 3. While praising God, David points to the finished work that will ultimately come through the cross. Through Jesus, salvation is available for all. How can you live in light of this truth this week—is there some truth you need to remember in your own walk with Jesus? Is there someone in your life who you can pray for, remind, tell for the first time, or in some other way show how greatly they are loved by the Savior?

*Although this is the final Lent reflection, check back next week, as three of our writers share thoughts on Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.  

Peace Over Despair

“And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth, I said
For hate is strong
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men”

This Christmas carol has ministered to my soul in this particular Christmas season. With the uncertainties surrounding Covid, social unrest, and the political fanaticism prevalent today, I find myself repeating the above sentiments. Looking at the human condition leads to despair. Even when we find something good that “restores our faith in humanity,” all too quickly we are reminded why we lost faith in the first place.

I am reminded of the story of Peter walking on water (found in Matthew 14:22-33). At first, when his eyes are on Christ, he is making strides without a hitch. Many faith journeys can be similar—at first, we are so enamored by Christ’s invitation to join Him that we don’t see much else. We take leaps of faith and draw close to Him. But, just like Peter, we get distracted by the waves around us. Granted, there is a storm all around us. It’s dangerous—a distraction that begs for our attention. Sickness hits close, unemployment looms ahead, friends or family are fighting with us. The struggle is real.

But when we focus on the storm around us, we can easily be dragged down with it. Life and the problems that come along with it do deserve our attention, but the problem comes when we take our eyes off Christ. As in the song, we can be filled with despair when our focus is on the world around us. Are we focusing on the waves or are we focusing on Jesus?

The grace in this story is what happens when Peter falls. Jesus doesn’t give up on Peter when he gets distracted; He doesn’t abandon Peter to the storm. No, He comes to Peter and pulls him out, and He does the same for us. When we lose sight of all hope, Jesus is there, reaching to pull us out of the depths.

“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”

Thank God the peace He offers us isn’t dependent upon our situations. It’s a peace that surpasses our understanding—something we have in the midst of suffering because we know that Christ is victorious over darkness. The Christmas bells in the song act as a reminder of that victory.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

When we focus on Christ’s redemptive power, we can be led through the darkest valleys and come out victorious. Our peace comes from knowing that Love wins in the end. When we live in that peace, we become like the Christmas bells in the song, a reminder to others of the hope that is found in Christ Jesus. We don’t need to restore peoples’ hope in humanity; we need to point people to the fulfillment of that hope.

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:1-5

Practically speaking, how do we focus on Christ when the world around us is in chaos? Prayer and thanksgiving.

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Peace is our God-given protective barrier, guarding our hearts and minds as we walk through life. We just need to seek Him and unload our burdens to receive it.

*Lyrics from ‘I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,’ based on Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, ‘Christmas Bells’

*All verses shared are from the English Standard Version of the Bible with my own emphasis added.