Christmas is coming up quick-like-a-bunny! It is hard to think that in 13 days the day on the calendar will have arrived. I think most of us would agree that Christmas is far more than a day, its a season, maybe a mindset, it could even be a way of life.
In the hectic activity of being a commuting grad student, going to work, processing the "stuff" in my life, and just doing daily life things it seems as though I have somehow been missing Christmas. This past week I was able to slow down a little when we read over the lyrics of a Christmas carol in class. The busy side of me was able to become still as we slowly absorbed the words and content of "O Holy Night."
O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
I hope you read this song through (sometimes I tend to skip over lyrics rather than read them fully). Take a moment to think about this. Here is a message of Jesus. Why He came. The love He has for us. The need we have for Him and the ways He meets us where we are.
In class we took time to look at a few of the themes we picked up in this song.
Did you catch that Jesus has come to free us from bondage? Each one of us is broken and imperfect. A lot of us strive so hard to put on our masks of "okayness" and we present an image of having it all together-which I think stems from our strong desire to actually have our life together. Who does? Really? We can be a heartbroken people with lives of struggle and pain and no one is immune. The unhealthy patterns, the ways we cope, the sin struggles...all that holds us in slavery is exactly what God can overcome in our life.
What else?
One person in class mentioned the stars in the lyrics. She said that if you looked at that as a personification we are stars. As we are people devoted to God and being transformed by Him we are able to shine more brightly for Him. How has your redemption allowed you to celebrate Jesus? Are you shining for Him?
One thing that I absolutely loved was the recognition of our worth. Read slowly:
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining... Is that you? Screwing up, feeling pain, second-guessing your choices? Yes, we are a broken people yearning for a Savior. And then we read that he appeared and we are given worth, we are given His Spirit. His Presence in us gives us full value.
You may be relishing this season with its joy and traditions and merriment. You may be dreading the expectations and lack of a "postcard perfect" family and time of celebration. But isn't Christmas far more than either of those? Christmas is a celebration of our Savior arriving on the scene, to set us free and give us worth. Hold on to that, and like the shepherds, hear the message:
"Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11
One more thing... Read this keeping Jesus in mind:
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for he captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’S favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:1-3
Rejoice...a Savior has been born for you...
