Wintry tales and dashes of Christmas. Short stories. Poems. Scripture. So many wonderful words to set the mind in a place of the coming of Christmas. Festive and beautiful Christmas carols fill my head all day long these days.
The First Noel the Angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep
Noel Noel Noel Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
I just recently heard a lovely insight about the incarnation which set my thoughts to pondering, from Athanasius - He became what we are, so we can become what He is.
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the new-born king
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the new-born king"
The coming of Christ is a shocking event that happened in our world, in history, tied to a time and place. And yet it holds everything together even deeper than we can understand. It is the thread that weaves into every aspect of history. Do you notice how in many of the carols there are words about peace and reconciliation? Our broken world needs that hope of peace and true reconciliation, which is what God offers to us in Jesus.
Oh holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til he appeared and the soul felt its worth
What a beautiful, festive week and weekend - reading Christmas stories, watching Christmasy videos, my office Christmas dinner, my niece performed in her piano recital, and my church had its annual Christmas concert (full orchestra and several choirs). Lovely and festive, cheerful and hopeful. I have been feeling the spirit of Christmas and I hope you are, too - the Light of the world shines through the darkness, and the darkness cannot and does not overcome it.
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