Beyond the Manger

Nº 230

weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dr. Dan Bolin - December 27, 2022

All the Christmas presents in the world are worth nothing without the presence of Christ. - David Jeremiah

The world is moving on from Christmas. Special church services have concluded, presents are opened, food is eaten, and decorations are heading back into the closet. Some cultures extend the celebration; they wisely allow the Christmas joy to linger. But eventually, the festivities come to an end.

So, what’s next? What should we do in response to the wonder of Christmas?

In the early 1900s, John Wesley Work, Jr. and his son, Dr. John Works III collected and codified many African American spirituals. They broadened the awareness of songs like This Little Light of Mine, Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho, and the Christmas carol, Go Tell It on the Mountain. The chorus provides the simple yet critical instructions on what we should do following Christmas.

Go tell it on the mountain

Over the hills and everywhere

Go tell it on the mountain

Our Jesus Christ is born

The news is too good to box up and store away until next December. Like the shepherds of old who, “...when they had seen him, they spread the word...” (Luke 2:17a), share the wonder of Christmas on the mountains, hills and everywhere you go. Everything has changed for good. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is born.

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries, Inc

Teaching / Writing / Connecting are the three core areas of service Refueling in Flight Ministries provides. At the hub is the weekly devotional Refueling in Flight! Each week, for the past 230 weeks, Refueling In Flight has provided “Encouragement for the Soul” through 200-word, biblically based, insights. To maintain this encouraging devotional, we need your financial help. Any gift is greatly appreciated as we move toward our year-end goal of $45,000.

Watch Go Tell it on the Mountain with for KING & COUNTRY

Full Lyrics:

Go Tell it on the Mountain

by John W. Work, II

Refrain:Go tell it on the mountain,over the hills, and ev'rywhere;go, tell it on the mountainthat Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watchingo’er silent flocks by night,behold, throughout the heavensthere shone a holy light. [Refrain]

The shepherds feared and trembledwhen lo, above the earthrang out the angel chorusthat hailed our Savior’s birth. [Refrain]

Down in a lowly mangerthe humble Christ was born,and God sent us salvationthat blessed Christmas morn. [Refrain]