“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.” –Luke 2:10-11
Introduction
Christmas is a season of wonder and celebration, a time when the world pauses to remember the birth of Jesus Christ—the greatest gift ever given. It is a moment to reflect on God’s faithfulness, His love for humanity, and His plan to redeem us through His Son.
One of the most cherished ways to immerse ourselves in the Christmas season is through the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. This beautiful tradition takes us on a journey through scripture and song, recounting the story of salvation from the Fall of humanity to the birth of the Saviour.
Each lesson reveals a key moment in God’s redemptive plan, while the carols echo the message with melody and emotion, drawing us into heartfelt worship. Together, they remind us that Christmas is not just about celebrations but about the fulfillment of a promise that changed the world forever.
Let us now journey through these lessons and carols, embracing the timeless story of God’s love revealed in Jesus Christ.
NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS
The nine lessons are carefully chosen to take us through the grand arc of salvation history, beginning with the fall of humanity and ending with the birth of Christ. Below is an outline of the lessons, accompanied by scriptures that serve as the foundation for this tradition:
- The Fall of Humanity
Genesis 3:8-15 – The lesson recounts Adam and Eve’s disobedience and God’s promise of redemption, where the seed of the woman will crush the serpent’s head.
“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”
And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”
And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” So the Lord God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, And you shall eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”
- Carol: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”
- The Promise to Abraham
Genesis 22:15-18 – God’s covenant with Abraham to bless all nations through his offspring.
“Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
- Carol: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
- The Prophecy of the Messiah’s Birth
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 – The prophecy of a child who will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”
- Carol: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
- The Peaceful Kingdom Foretold
Isaiah 11:1-4, 6-9 – The prophecy of a shoot from the stump of Jesse, bringing peace and righteousness.
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” Therefore, He shall give them up, until the time that she who is in labour has given birth; Then the remnant of His brethren shall return to the children of Israel.
And He shall stand and feed His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God; And they shall abide, for now He shall be great to the ends of the earth.”
- Carol: “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
- The Birth of Jesus Foretold
Luke 1:26-38 – The angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will bear the Son of God, and she responds in faith.
“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favoured one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”
- Carol: “Gabriel’s Message”
To be continued!
Remain Blessed!
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