Deep, real, joy to the world

Deep, real, joy to the world

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Christmas Day

Isaiah 9:1

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.

Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.  Wild and sweet, let the world rejoice.

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Does the world rejoice?  Not always, not all, no.  Aren’t we caught in decay and death?  We destroy as much as create, and hate as much as love.  More even?

 And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

What seems strange to us so easily disheartened and disgusted by the world, and maybe especially by ourselves … God is glad to be here.  God becomes one of us, and wants to be exactly where he is right now.

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.”

WITH us.  God with us.  We are not alone.  He does not leave us nor abandon us.  God is born on earth today.  Jesus.  Is.  Here.

The angels don’t stop singing, do they Lord?  Peace on earth, good will to men.  Peace on earth, good will to men.  Peace on earth.  We ignore them at our peril, but we do ignore them.  And they keep on singing.  Your voice will not be stilled; you will sing and we will suddenly sometime hear your song.  We are your children learning to love you.  Following Jesus and learning to love you.

Lyrics: http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/h/iheardtb.htm

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nk77EOgapg

http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1221