25 Symbols of Christmas–Guest Post by Author Annie Yorty
O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
~~John Francis Wade, Translated by Frederick Oakley~~
It’s that time of year again! And with a single step into Advent, many of us are basking in the beauty and joy of Christmas.
For many, putting up the tree is a favorite family activity. For others, it’s the giving and receiving of Christmas cards. Still, there are those who most appreciate the music of Christmas.
Take my daughter Allie, for example. No sooner have we witnessed the first sign of fall in the changing colors than she’s advocating for Christmas tunes.
“Please, Momma. Just one,” she’ll plead.
And sometimes I’ll concede, though I prefer to wait until Thanksgiving Eve. Then I welcome Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole, and they carry me through the long hours of meal-prepping and pie-baking.
One thing I personally enjoy throughout the Advent season is snuggling up with good books. I have my favorite children’s picture books. Within their pages I’m a girl again, sitting by a fire with my family–Momma usually reading aloud.
And there are timeless classics I’ve read over and over–books like Kate Seredy’s A Tree for Peter and Marjorie Holmes’ Two from Galilee.
Finally, I love a good Advent devotional–a book that will speak truths about the Reason for the season, pointing me to Jesus and God’s plan to redeem the broken world by bringing a Baby.
This year, I was blessed to be on the launch team for writer-friend Annie Yorty. Her new release came just in time for the holidays, and I believe you, too, will love her personal stories and anecdotes as she shares her favorite aspects of the season.
25 Symbols of Christmas–Finding Jesus, A Devotional will be a wonderful addition to your library. I’m so hopeful you’ll have a copy, I’m offering a giveaway. One participant will be chosen.
All you have to do is share in the comments an encouraging word or perhaps tell us about your favorite Christmas symbol. I’ll draw a name next Wednesday, December 11th and ship for free (U.S. only).
Now, grab your mug of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa, and enjoy an excerpt from Annie’s book. Her words are sure to wet your whistle and prepare your heart for Jesus’s coming.
******
Excerpt from 25 Symbols of Christmas: Finding Jesus—A Devotion
Carols: Praiseworthy Lord
Carols Sing a new song to the LORD! Sing his praises from the ends of the earth! Sing, all you who sail the seas, all you who live in distant coastlands.
—Isaiah 42:10
“We announced you’d be here today,” the aide said to our fresh-faced carolers. “Everyone should be expecting you. But knock first if the door is closed.” Song sheets rustled in fidgety hands as we turned toward the wing of the nursing home she indicated.
“A couple folks may not want to visit with you.” We paused at her warning. “Mr. Walters in seventeen. Now he can be a bit of a curmudgeon.”
Determined to keep an eye out for number seventeen, I led my band of Christmas minstrels down the hall looking for open doors.
“Joy to the world, the Lord is come!”
Heads lifted to see the young visitors as the medley of their voices rang out. Smiles creased weathered skin and eyes crinkled in delight. A few wispy strains joined in praise for the wonders of the love of the One who came to earth to save us.
When my son, Stuart, went ahead of the group toward number seventeen, I followed as quickly as possible. A slice of light cut through a crack in the door into the dim room. Knock, knock.
“Who’s there?” The voice sounded like a bear awakened from hibernation.
Undeterred by the growl, Stuart poked his head through the opening. “Mr. Walters, may we come in?”
I rushed in behind him. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Walters. We didn’t mean to disturb you.” Touching Stuart’s shoulder, I guided him away.
Mr. Walters snapped on his table lamp and waved a gnarled hand. “No, you might as well come in.”
Stuart led the ensemble into the tiny room and stood by the scowling figure slumped in a worn easy chair. “Let’s sing ‘O Holy Night.’” He thrust the song sheet in front of Mr. Walters’s nose.
Midway through the first verse, a baritone contrasted with childish sopranos and crackling teen boys. “Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!” I could hardly believe my ears.
As we finished the carol, Mr. Walters swiped a hanky across his eyes. “My wife used to play that song every Christmas Eve,” he said. “She’d gather the kids ’round the tree, and we’d all join in.” His throat convulsed as tears threatened again. “Then we’d put baby Jesus into the manger in our nativity.”
For a moment, his eyes stared back in time. When one of our carolers grew restless, Mr. Walters stirred. “I haven’t thought about that in years.”
Carols—originally both songs and dances—expressed praise and joy in any season. Within a few centuries after Jesus lived on earth, Christians began to sing carols at Christmas to celebrate Christ. Most of the songs that endured through the centuries have rich lyrics which praise God and proclaim the gospel message.
In the modern era, carols that mention nothing of Christ pervade the airways from before Thanksgiving until the new year begins. Songs with Christian messages are usually sung thoughtlessly by performers who do not revere Jesus. In December church services, we might sing carols but often omit several of the theologically deep verses.
Even when we listen to the entirety of a carol, the sheer familiarity of the lyrics can dull the meaning. We run the risk of glossing over the profound truths packed into each stanza. We can overcome this tendency by focusing and meditating on the words to make them the prayer of our hearts.
In the seclusion and isolation of the nursing home, Mr. Walters lost sight of God. His hope waned as he withdrew from fellow worshipers of Christ. But carols sung by children awakened dormant joy and reignited his hope.
At Christmas, when you listen to, sing, and share carols that proclaim Christ, remember he is your praiseworthy Lord. With every song, may our voices lift and magnify his name so all will hear and join the worship of God.
THINK ABOUT IT
How will you reclaim carols of Christmas to bring attention to the praiseworthy Lord?
LET’S PRAY
Father, thank you for Christmas carols that point hearts toward your Son. May the songs of this Christmas season take on new meaning as I worship Jesus—not only the baby in the manger, but also the suffering Savior and risen Lord. He is worthy of all praise, honor, and glory. Amen.
*All Scripture taken with permission from New Living Translation
Copyright ©2024 Annie Yorty
Meet Author Annie Yorty
Annie writes and speaks to encourage others to perceive God’s presence in the unexpected twists and turns of life. She has written From Ignorance to Bliss: God’s Heart Revealed through Down Syndrome and a devotional, 25 Symbols of Christmas: Finding Jesus. She also contributes devotions and articles at Crosswalk.com and cohosts Empowering Homeschool Conversations, the authority in homeschooling diverse learners.
Married to her high school sweetheart and living in Pennsylvania, Annie mothers three adult children (one with intellectual disabilities). A lifelong learner, Annie seeks new and eclectic challenges. She gravitates toward anything crafty or creative—except sewing clothes. Sporadically, she works at learning to play the piano and ukulele. Always open to travel adventure, Annie helps organize mission teams that share God’s love around the world. She wishes she had more time to read, crochet, and practice Russian. Amidst the fun, challenges, and chaos, Annie encourages others to look upward with her and perceive God. Annie would love to meet with you at AnnieYorty.com.
For great resources and videos, check out:
website: https://annieyorty.com/books/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@annieyorty1014
Maureen, How I remember the days in Girl Scouts when we would carol at the local nursing homes, one in particular stands out in my memories. We would carol at The Old County Home, the place that old folks went that had no others to care for them. The sights and sounds and malodorous smells as we walked down the halls filled my heart with joy as we caroled through the halls bringing joy to the hearts of the “least of these”. The most requested song? “Silent Night”.
The same song that I requested while I was recovering from “my stroke”. When Hospice’s Music therapist visited me a few days before Christmas and played his guitar and sang, and kept time with his foot. My son and husband were there too. What a joyous Christmas that was! I’m a survivor!
Oh friend. This is beautiful! Thank you for sharing. We, too, would carol at the Covington Care Center… and I’ll never forgot the warmth of that special place. The smells, the sounds (not all pleasant on either account) but mostly… the LOVE! Jesus was with us and with them as we worshipped him in song! Love you!
Marcia, what a beautiful memory and connection to Jesus you have stored in your heart. I pray the carols of Christmas bring light to your life throughout the season.
Maureen, I won’t enter the drawing as I already have a copy of Annie’s wonderful book as a Christmas resource. I totally agree with her take and yours on carols. Please give me the ones that point to Christ!
Yes! Those are my favorite… always! Love you!
Maggie, thank you for being a part of 25 Symbols of Christmas and for all your encouragement.
Maureen, thank you for hosting me here this week. I pray all your readers are blessed to find more of Jesus this Christmas!
Oh, I know they will be. Your devotions point us to Christ with every word! Thank YOU!
What a wonderful story of caroling/worship! I have many favorites in regard to Christmas, but lights are the top on my list. We lived in a ranch-style home. My parents weren’t big in putting up Christmas decorations. I was the youngest, late in life, baby of the family. I think they were tired by the time I came around. Lol! I usually put up most of the decorations, but my dad put up lights along the gutters all around the house. Those big, multi-colored lights were popular in those days. At night I would lay in bed and fall asleep looking at those big, bold, colored lights streaming into my room. It brought me such comfort! I absolutely loved them. I have such fond memories. I told my husband that one of these years we are going to put up lights like that outside our bedroom even though no one but us would even see them unless they came over to visit. We decorate with lights all in our living area of our house now and I am reminded of the light of Jesus and how his love brings light to us and others.
Oh, I love this so much! Thank you for sharing! I too love lights, and, as a girl, would look at them (whether on the tree or outside) and kind of cross my eyes so each burst of color from the bulbs would blur into a hazy glow… (I’m sure I looked funny!) Christmas memories from childhood are the best! Thank you for sharing one of yours! Blessings, friend!
Jayne, I love the memory you shared. One of my first memories in life is basking in the glow of our Christmas tree lights. They were all green–those big fat bulbs. That’s another story/devotion in my book. I hope you have a merry Christmas bathed in the Light of Christ.