So Captivating He is

Captivate:
1.to attract and hold the attention or interest of, as by beauty or excellence; enchant
2.to attract and hold somebody's attention by charm or other pleasing or irresistible features

ENJOY… take some time and embrace these words.

“O come, Thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.”

“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.”

“Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger, We would embrace Thee, with love and awe; Who would not love Thee, loving us so dearly?” O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord."

“Children, go where I send thee, How shall I send thee? I'm gonna send thee one by one
One for the little bitty - baby Born, born, born in Bethlehem.”

“Silent night, holy night! Wondrous star, lend thy light! With the angels let us sing
Alleluia to our King! Christ the Saviour is here, Jesus the Saviour is here!”

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.”

“Hark the herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled’ Joyful, all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim: ‘Christ is born in Bethlehem’ Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!"

“Why lies He in such mean estate, Where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear: for sinners here, The silent Word is pleading. Nails, spear, shall pierce Him through, The Cross be borne, for me, for you. Hail, hail, the Word made flesh, The Babe, the Son of Mary!”

“A throne in a manger, the cross in a cradle, The hidden revealing this glorious plan;
A child who would suffer, A child who would conquer, The sins of every woman, the sins of every man.”

“We beheld—it is no fable— God incarnate, King of bliss, Swathed and cradled in a stable, And the angel strain was this: Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!”

“Said the king to the people everywhere, Listen to what I say; Pray for peace, people everywhere! Listen to what I say The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night, He will bring us goodness and light; He will bring us goodness and light.”

“Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord, That hath made heaven And earth of naught And with His blood Mankind hath bought. Noel Noel Noel Noel! Born is the King of Israel!”

“Of His government, There will be no end; He'll establish it with His righteousness
He shall reign on David's throne, And His name shall be from this day on; Wonderful, Counselor, Everlasting Father.”

“Mortals, join the mighty chorus, Which the morning stars began; Father love is reigning o'er us, Brother love binds man to man; Ever singing, march we onward, Victors in the midst of strife, Joyful music lifts us Sonward; In the triumph song of life. We sing in Jubilation, adoration to a joyful King, You are spinning and You are singing, Zealous love over all Your children.”

“Made perfect first in love, And sanctified by grace, We shall from earth remove,
And see His glorious face: His love shall then be fully showed, And man shall all be lost in God.”

“With my substance will I honor My Redeemer and my Lord; Were ten thousand worlds my manor, All were nothing to His Word: While the heralds of salvation His abounding grace proclaim, Let His friends, of every station, Gladly join to spread His fame.”

“Sing we all Noel, the gladsome tidings bring Lift our God on high as His praises now we sing. Sing we all Noel, our hearts with love aflame Praising Christ our Savour, we bless His holy name.”

“He made me a watchman Upon the city wall, And if I am a Christian, I am the least of all. Go, Tell It On The Mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; Go, Tell It On The Mountain That Jesus Christ is born.”

“Though the cold grows stronger, Alleluya, Alleluya, Alleluya, Though the world loves night, Yet the days grow longer, Alleluya, Alleluya, Alleluya, Chris is born our Light. Now the Dial's type is learnt, Burns the Bush that is not burnt: War and strife are done; God and man are one.”

“Now to the Lord sing praises, All you within this place, And with true love and brotherhood Each other now embrace; This holy tide of Christmas All other doth deface. O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.”

“Jesu, joy of man's desiring, Holy wisdom, love most bright. Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring , Soar to uncreated light. Word of God, our flesh that fashioned With the fire of life impassioned, Striving still to Truth unknown, Soaring, dying 'round Thy throne.”

“He rules the world with truth and grace, And gives to nations proof The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love; And wonders of His love; And wonders, wonders of His love.”

“Truly He taught us To love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains shall He break For the slave is our brother And in His name All oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in Grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us Praise His holy name!
Christ is the Lord, Oh praise His name forever, His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim
His pow'r and glory Evermore proclaim.”

“Beautiful Star the hope of rest For the redeemed, the good and the blessed; Yonder in glory when the crown is won, Jesus is now that star divine, Brighter and brighter He will shine, Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine on. Oh Beautiful Star (Beautiful, Beautiful Star)
Of Bethlehem (Star of Bethlehem) Shine upon us until the glory dawns, Give us the light to light the way, Unto the land of perfect day; Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine on.”

I am captivated by Jesus Christ. I remain captivated by what He accomplished when He came to Earth as a baby. There are no words better than the ones written above to describe this season.

Most of the lyrics above are the ones toward the end; the ones we don’t always get to, or aren’t paying attention to by the time we get there. I found hidden joys and treasures at the bottom of Christmas carols and hymns.

I know it is no coincidence that ‘captivate’ was the last word on my list. I pray that these lyrics and this Baby captivate you this season and this year.

“Holy Jesus, every day Keep us in the narrow way; And, when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last Where they need no star to guide, Where no clouds Thy glory hide.”