Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

December 3, 2024November 22, 2024 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

The Christmas song “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” gives the reason, the story, of the birth of Jesus Christ, and the future of his saints.

Come, Thou long expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free; from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in Thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear Desire of ev’ry nation, joy of every longing heart.

Joy to those who long to see Thee Day-spring from on high, appear.
Come, Thou promised Rod of Jesse, of Thy birth, we long to hear!
O’er the hills the angels singing news, glad tidings of a birth; “Go to Him your praises bringing Christ the Lord has come to earth!”

Come to earth to taste our sadness, He whose glories knew no end. By His life He brings us gladness, Our redeemer, Shepherd, Friend. Leaving riches without number, born within a cattle stall; this the everlasting wonder, Christ was born the Lord of all.

Born Thy people to deliver, born a child, and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now Thy gracious kingdom bring. by Thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by Thine all-sufficient merit raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Come, Thou whom the prophets promised. Thou of whom the canters sing; Come, Emmanuel, God be with us. Thou our Prophet, Priest, and King. Jesus, Thou are all perfection, Thou whose fellowship we crave; Thou the Life and Resurrection, Come redeem us from the grave.

Come, Thou King, receive Thy kingdom; With the angels, split the skies! Come with shouts and trumpets sounding, Bid Thy slumb’ring children rise! Gather in Thine arms so tender Sinners saved through grace alone; Lead us though Thy gates of splendor Unto our eternal home.

Any questions?

Songwriters: Words: Charles Wesley, 1744 (Verses 1 & 4) Mark Hunt, 1978 (Verses 2 & 3) Ann Aschauer 2022 (Verses 5 & 6)

My First Christmas in America

December 24, 2021December 22, 2021 / Mark Brady / 6 Comments

by April Joy Brady (Mark’s wife)

This is my first Christmas in America. My previous ones have been in my home country of the Philippines. People’s attitudes here toward Christmas are a lot different than there. It seems as if some of the people are forgetting the real reason for Christmas. Some even go as far as to remove “Christ” from the word Christmas with “X-mas”. It makes me wonder if they have removed Christ from their hearts as well. I’m not trying to be judging, it would be difficult not to be that way growing up here in America, with constantly being bombarded with TV ads and popular culture.

This season here seems to be more about parties, gifts, and where to spend the holiday. When in the Philippines, where resources don’t flow so freely, Christmas tends to be much simpler, and we are happy to get to see family and share a simple meal, and laugh. There is a lot of laughter back home. I imagine Jesus’s first Christmas was simple as well. Mary and Joseph adoring their new born son, lying still in a feeding trough with some hay, and perhaps an animal’s covering over him. A far cry from a beautiful wooden crib from Ashley Furniture with blankets from Macys!

I think I have been blessed to have my previous life and Christmas’ in the Philippines. I hope in the years to come I do not stray too far from my roots, especially when it comes to the attitude of what Christmas really is, or supposed to be about.

I will enjoy the time spent with my husband and the gifts he has bought for me as well as the other gifts from friends and coworkers, but in my heart I will be in Bethlehem, humming, “Away in the Manger”.

Merry Christmas everyone. May Christ fill your hearts with his love.

April

Do You Have a Pulpit?

January 2, 2019January 1, 2019 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

…I don’t expect to be embarrassed in the least. On the contrary, everything happening to me in this jail only serves to make Christ more accurately known, regardless of whether I live or die. They didn’t shut me up; they gave me a pulpit! (Phi 1:20 MSG)