[Day 24] What Child Is This

What Child Is This

What child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the son of Mary.

I love this song. All year long. Mother and Child. Shepherds and angels. Me and my King.

So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king, to own him.
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The babe, the Son of Mary.

Bring your family, tell your friends: Joy, joy for Christ is born!

How will you celebrate?

[Day 23] O Come, All Ye Faithful

O Come, All Ye Faithful

Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels;
O come, let us adore Him

It is a well known fact that more people attend church services at Christmas than at any other time of the year. Folks who haven't stepped foot inside a church all year long make the time and effort to go and celebrate the coming of the King of Angels. The fast-paced faith-less become the adoring faith-full. I don't say that to imply that they have no faith, only that church attendance and wholehearted devotion has been simmering on a low heat back burner for 11 months. Thanksgiving rolls around and our renewed practice of gratitude moves us back to the high heat front, bringing on a rolling boil of faithfulness and love toward our fellow man and Holy Savior.

What if this time we keep that boil going all year long? What if that love and faithfulness boils over, spilling out to spread around? And what if we are continually replenished by Living Water so that we never run dry? What if...

Philippians 2:9-11 says-

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
What will it take for your faith and devotion to Christ to burn "hot" this year?

[Day 22] Silent Night

Silent Night

Silent night, Holy night
Shepherds quake, at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly, hosts sing Hallelujah.
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born.

How silent do you really think it was the night Jesus was born?* Caesar Augustus had ordered a census for the entire Roman Empire. I'm thinking that Joseph and Mary weren't the only ones who were visiting Bethlehem that night. After all, there was no room for them at the inn, right? No Vacancy. A little town like that was probably bursting at seams with out of town guests. No, it's not likely it was silent.

But it was no ordinary night.

Shepherds trembled in fear, out in the hills keeping watch over their sheep, when the angel of the Lord appeared to them. And then a "multitude of heavenly hosts" appeared and broke out in song, announcing the greatest news to have ever been told. Christ the Savior is born!

No, a silent night it was not.

*I love when someone really inspires me to think or consider something in a different way than I had previously looked at it. This was my resulting line of thinking after today's sermon.

Jeremiah 23:5-6 says-

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord , when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

What areas of your life are you waiting and anticipating God’s presence?

[Day 21] Breath Of Heaven

Breath Of Heaven

Breath of Heaven, Hold me together
Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven
Breath of Heaven, Light my darkness
Pour over me, your holiness, For you’re holy
Breath of Heaven

A plea...
A prayer...
A promise.
In our darkest hour, we cry out to the One who never leaves us. He hears and answers the call of His people, His children, His loved ones. He brings LIGHT where there was only darkness. He brings LIFE where there was only death. He is HOLY, and MIGHTY, and STRONG we are most definitely...not.
His name is Jesus.

Despite the colorful decorations and cheerful greetings, Christmas time, the celebration of His birth, is not a joyful time for all. For some, it is the reminder of loneliness. For others, a mark of failure. And still some, it's just another day.

Jesus has overcome ALL of that.

Psalm 27:1 says-

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

What trials are you facing right now that are robbing YOU of the joy of Christmas? What can you do to reclaim joy and hope in your life?

[Day 20] It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
With the kids jingle belling and everyone telling you,
“Be of good cheer!”
It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
It’s the hap-happiest season of all.
There’ll be much mistletoe-ing
and hearts will be glowing when loved ones are near.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Seems like half the people I know either just had a baby or will be soon. Of course, that's not entirely true, but it sure does seem like it! These little blessings are such a treasure, coming into this world from the safety of their mother's womb. Totally helpless. Utterly dependent. Precious. Each little miracle welcomed with celebrations and gifts, laughter and tears, joy and hope.

I imagine that Jesus' birth was anticipated in much the same way, but only a select few actually knew of the circumstances of His birth. His birth meant the arrival of our Savior and King. Our Mighty God in the flesh. That's what we celebrate at this most wonderful time of the year. With family and friends, yes, our hearts will be glowing when loved ones are near!

Isaiah 9:6 says-

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

[Day 19] God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

I will gladly take the rest that is offered, even if I'm not a gentleman ;) I. Am. Tired. There, I said it. I'm exhausted, through and through. Sickness plus stress will wear a girl out! On top of that, I've been working my tail off to try to help offset those added expenses. God has generously blessed those efforts and for that I am thankful. Comfort and joy...ah, yes. THAT. I purpose to wholeheartedly invite more comfort and joy in our home, especially these next few days. Jesus, we welcome you!

Matthew 11:28-29 says-

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

[Day 18] Go Tell It On The Mountain

Go Tell It On The Mountain

The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo! above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Saviour’s birth

When I was born, my parents sent out a birth announcement that says something like "Announcing the (my maiden name) Classic", complete with golf appropriate statistics. Why golf? Well, that was my dad's thing. An avid golfer, it was a creative way to share news of my arrival with loved ones who had been anticipating my arrival.

When Jesus was born, His Father also sent out a unique birth announcement, a bright star in the night sky, complete with the heavenly chorus of angels. Why a star and angels? It was Jesus' Father's thing. After all, he created the heavens. What better way to share the Good News with the people He loves that His Son, Jesus,  had arrived? Good news of great joy!

Luke 2:10 says-

And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."

Are you shouting out the Good News? Are you sharing it at all? If not, what's keeping you?