Quiet/Not So Quiet
Christmas is closing in fast - only 11 days to go! I have done a little bit of present shopping and it has been decided that we are having a very quiet celebration this year. Very quiet in that there will be no sumptuous feast and partying. But not very quiet in my devotion to Jesus and the celebration of the birth of our precious Saviour who came to set the captives free.
I've been listening to the beautiful "O Holy Night" carol, in particular the version sung by Celine Dion. Her voice is absolutely breathtaking and her rendition of this song gives me goosebumps. The Holy Spirit must surely have been with her the night she sang it - so glorious! God gifted her with an incredible voice: https://youtu.be/7OZ5MoUXKgc
The lyrics are also incredible, and give our Saviour's birth the respect and glory He deserves.
In particular, the following words speak deeply to me:
"Long lay the world in sin and error pining Till He appeared and the soul felt His 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; Oh night divine, Oh night when Christ was born, Oh night divine, Oh night, Oh night divine."
Is our World's Weariness Filled to Capacity?
2017 years ago, the world was weary, in sin and error pining. Then Jesus came! The gospel message speaks to us of His death on the Cross and His resurrection - and that He will return. Is His return imminent? In 2017 our world has "long lay in sin and error pining" but is our world's weariness filled to capacity? War, legal full-term abortions and euthanasia, natural disasters, poverty, pornography, homelessness, hunger, divorce, domestic violence, social isolation and so much selfishness...and this is just the tip of the iceberg. As I reflect on our Saviour being born into this world, I feel my heart pining for Him to come back. It seems like He must surely be close.....and He IS close, because He indwells my heart with His Holy Spirit sent to guide me. He is close to me as I cling onto His hem and bathe in His radiant, holy and beautiful goodness and grace that He gives so freely to those who love Him.
This Christmas, as you spend time with your loved ones and enjoy the Christmas festivities, invite Jesus along too. If you do not yet have a relationship with Jesus, invite Him into your heart. This invitation can be something simple like saying "Lord, I'm tired of trying to do things in my own strength. I'm tired of being weighed down by my past. I acknowledge my poor choices and I want to make a fresh start with You, Lord, as I ask for Your forgiveness. I turn from my past way of life and I now want to walk with You Lord all the remaining days of my life, under your guidance and protection. Please save me! In Jesus' name, I pray this prayer." This will be the very best Christmas present you could ever give - to yourself, and to Jesus, for He loves you so!
If you have prayed this prayer and you aren't sure with what your next steps should be now, please reach out to me. I would love to chat with you.
God bless you one and all this Christmas.
Scriptures:
John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Romans 10:9 If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
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