Receive the Word

In the beginning was the Word
The Word with God, God was the Word
Always with God from origin
Everything was made through Him

Without Him nothing came to be
Not one thing that has come to be
In Him life was
And the life was
The light of all humanity

And the light shines in the darkness
Which the darkness could not possess
God sent a man whose name was John
To bear witness concerning one

To testify about the Light
That all through him believe alright
He was sent and was not that Light
Sent to bear witness of that Light

The true Light, every man lighting
Into the world He was coming
He was in the world, made through Him
The world He made did not know Him

Even His own rejected Him
But as many as received Him
Their right as God’s children became
To those who believe in His name

Not born of blood, nor fleshly thrill
But of God, not of human will

The Word became flesh and with us dwelled
And so His glory we beheld
Of the Father’s one and only
Full of grace and truth in glory

John bore witness and cried and said
“This was He of whom I had said
‘He who follows me is preferred
For long before me, He was heard.’”

Of His fullness we’ve all received
And even more gifts, grace for grace
The law was given through Moses
Grace and truth came through Christ Jesus

No one has seen God ever yet
The only one God did beget
In the Father’s intimate zone
He has come and made Him known

John 1:1-18

Jesus as Refugee

To Joseph an angel appeared,
In Egypt, safety is assured
Stay there until I bring you word
Herod wanted no children spared

So by night they left for Egypt
And stayed ‘til the death of Herod
Fulfilling prophecy begun,
“Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

When Herod saw the wise men flee
He went on a child murder spree
Fulfilling what the prophet said,
Lamentation through Ramah spread

When Herod died, an angel said
You can go back home, Herod’s dead
Fulfilling prophecy foreseen
“He shall be called a Nazarene.”

Matthew 2:13-23

God with Us, God Saves

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was this way
Mary was to marry Joseph some day
But before the marriage even took place
She’s with child by the Holy Spirit’s grace

Righteous Joseph caused no anxiety
Chose to break the engagement quietly
But, an angel came to him in a dream
Don’t fear, the Holy Spirit’s in this scheme

She’ll have a son, and you’ll name him Jesus
He’ll save his people from their sins grievous
The Lord’s message through his prophet compiled
“Behold! The virgin will conceive a child!

She’ll give birth to a son, Emmanuel,
Which means ‘God is with us.’ as all will soon tell”
Joseph awoke and took Mary his wife
Then after the birth came marital life

And Joseph named him Jesus
[And Jesus means, God saves (us)]
And Joseph named him Jesus
[Emmanuel, God with us]

Matthew 1:18-25

Offended by Jesus

John heard in prison what Christ was doing
He sent two disciples to Him asking
“Are You the One who is to come?
Should we expect another one?”

Jesus said, “Tell John what you hear and see
Lepers cleansed, lame walk, deaf hear, the blind see,
Dead are raised, poor hear the gospel decree
Blest is anyone not stumbling at Me.”

Jesus spoke to the multitudes of John
“What did you go in the wilds to look on?
A reed in the wind? A man in soft clothes?
Those in soft clothing live in fine abodes.”

“Was it a prophet you went out to see?
Yes, I say, more than a prophet was he.
For this is he of whom it is written
‘Prepare the way, My messenger’s mission.’”

“Of those born of women there’s none greater
But the least in the kingdom are greater
The kingdom suffers intensely
But the bold take it zealously.”

Preparing for Christ

In those days John the Baptist came
To the wilderness to proclaim
Repent of sins and turn to God
The Kingdom is near, not abroad

Isaiah speaking about John said
Shouting in the desert he spread
Prepare the way, the Lord’s coming
Clear the road for his forthcoming

John’s clothes were made from camel’s hair
And a leather belt he did wear
He ate locusts and wild honey
People came from the whole country

They went out to see and hear John
To confessed their sins they were drawn
He baptized them in the Jordan
And their leaders came to hearken

John denounced them, “You brood of snakes!”
Who warned you to flee when wrath breaks?
Where are your fruits of repentance
Sons of Abraham is no stance

God can make sons of Abraham
From these very stones in the land
Now the ax is poised and ready
To sever the roots of the trees

Every tree that has no good fruit
It’s chopped down and given the boot
I baptize people with water
But someone’s coming much greater

I’m not worthy his shoes to wear
He’ll baptize with Spirit and fire
He’ll separate the chaff and wheat
He’ll winnow and clean the floor neat

He’ll place the wheat into the store
Burn the chaff with eternal fire”

Matthew 3:1-12