Tag: Advent

Exploring Advent-Angels and Shepherds

Luke chapter 2 describes the biblical account of shepherds in Bethlehem who encounter an angel announcing the birth of the Savior. The angel’s message brings joy, encouraging the shepherds to visit the newborn Messiah. The Advent season leads to Christmas in the Christian liturgical calendar.

 

Shepherds and Angels

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.
Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them.
“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.
The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

Luke chapter 2, New Living Translation 

 
Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois, 60188. All rights reserved.
shepherds raising arms to the sky
Shepherds drawing by Bill Hart

Bill Hart-WWII veteran and artist

The late Bill Hart was a professional artist. He served in the United States Army during World War II and was part of the force which invaded and liberated  France in 1944. You can read Bill’s story at this link. 

Advent- four weeks before Christmas

The season of Advent, which comes from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming” or “visit,” begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year for Christians. [Liturgical — from liturgy, which means the forms and functions of public worship.]

Many families observe Advent with Bible readings, lighting candles, songs, and stories to remind them of the events leading up to the birth of Christ as told in the New Testament. (these are affiliate links for you to consider and help support this blog with a commission on any purchases you make while reviewing)

Tidings of Joy Fabric Advent Calendar (Countdown to Christmas)

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an evergreen wreath with holly

Dr Aletha

Many people find using their phones a convenient way to read and meditate on the Bible. And it’s easy to do so with the Dwell Bible App. With Dwell you can listen to and read the Bible and special devotional offerings for Advent, Lent, and throughout the year.

Using this affiliate link helps support this blog and my mission to share the heart of health wherever needed all over the world. Please join me.

Longfellow’s Christmas Bells

On December 25, 1863, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a grief-stricken father, wrote “Christmas Bells” to express his inner turmoil during the Civil War. He faced personal tragedies, including the death of two wives and his son’s injuries. The poem contrasts despair with hope, ultimately affirming faith in peace and goodness.

updated December 11, 2025

On Friday, December 25, 1863, Longfellow—as a 57-year-old widowed father of six children, the oldest of which had been nearly paralyzed as his country fought a war against itself—wrote a poem seeking to capture the dissonance in his own heart and the world he observes around him that Christmas Day.

Justin Taylor

Christmas Bells

"I heard the bells on Christmas Day"
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American poet-Graphic from LIGHTSTOCK.COM, an affiliate link

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote prolifically, creating one of the greatest collections of American poetry, depicting the history of the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries. He published his first poem at 13 years old.

Henry’s first marriage ended tragically with his wife Mary’s death from complications of a miscarriage. He sank into suicidal depression after her death.

He found happiness with his second wife, Fanny, with whom he had six children. Again, tragedy struck when she was severely burned by candle wax and died soon after. Henry was burned trying to help her and may have grown his well-known beard to hide the scars on his face.

During the American Civil War, his son Charley fought for the Union; he suffered severe wounds, and his father cared for him until he recovered. During this time, Henry wrote Christmas Bells, which laments that “hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth” but then concludes with

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
     The Wrong shall fail,
     The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Henry W Longfellow

Despite, and perhaps due to his family’s medical challenges, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote poetry that touched people’s hearts and minds then and now.

Go here to read The True Story of Pain and Hope behind this beloved Christmas carol.

Christmas tree, statues of old man and a boy
photo by Dr. Aletha

What is Advent?

The season of Advent, which comes from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming” or “visit,” begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year for Christians. [Liturgical — from liturgy, which means the forms and functions of public worship.]

Many families observe Advent with Bible readings, lighting candles, songs, and stories to remind them of the events leading up to the birth of Christ as told in the New Testament. (these are affiliate links for you to consider and help support this blog with a commission on any purchases you make while reviewing)

sharing the HEART of health

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you turn health challenges into health opportunities.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Thank you for considering the affiliate links in this post, which fund this blog.

Dr. Aletha

Many people find using their phones a convenient way to read and meditate on the Bible. And it’s easy to do so with the Dwell Bible App. With Dwell you can listen to and read the Bible and special devotional offerings for Advent, Lent, and throughout the year.

Using this affiliate link helps support this blog and my mission to share the heart of health wherever needed all over the world. Please join me.