Farewell 2012

          I’ve been pretty reflective the past few days, probably like a lot of people at this time of the year. I must confess while there was a mix of good and hard in this year, 2012 was not one of my more favorite years. I’m really looking forward to the ball dropping tonight signaling that this year is history.

        But as much as this was a hard year, I wouldn’t get rid of the things that happened. I can make that statement because I firmly believe that, as Romans 8:28 states,  God brings all things into my life for my good and to make me more like His Son.

        The following verses from Romans 8 have been very precious to me as I reflect on this past year and look forward to the new one beginning in just a few hours.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall trouble

        or hardships

                or persecution

                        or famine

                                or nakedness

                                        or danger

                                                or sword?

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors

through Him who loved us.

For I am convinced that

        neither death nor life

                neither angels or demons,

                        neither the present nor the future

                                nor any powers,

                                        neither height nor depth

                        nor anything else in all creation

will be able to separate us from the love of God

that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

How silently...

                        “How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given…”

          When I sing “O Little Town of Bethlehem” these words from the third verse always make me pause. I’ve given birth 4 times and know it isn’t done silently. I’ve also visited barns and those places certainly aren’t quiet. So I’ve often wondered how is it that Phillip Brooks chose those words when describing the birth of Jesus.

          Part of the answer may be in how Brooks set the stage through the first two verses. There seems to be two sides to this incredible story of Jesus’ arrival to earth. You have the oblivious inhabitants of Bethlehem and then you have the angels watching.

                   “O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see the lie…

                             yet in thy dark streets shineth the Everlasting Light”

                   “While mortals sleep…

                             The angels keep their watch of wondering love”

          As unbelievable of a plot this could be, those living in Bethlehem truly were clueless to the incredible event taking place. They were asleep while Mary struggled through the process of delivering a baby. No one was anticipating that the Messiah, the long awaited promise, the Prince of peace, would be born in such a crude environment.

          No fanfares to announce the royal birth…

                   only one angel giving a message to the least likely group of people 

                   to be told such incredible news - the shepherds

          No public announcement…

                   only a choir of angels as backup singers to the first angel.

          No parades or parties

                   only gifts from foreign wise men to celebrate this new life.

          No family to show the baby to

                    only a blessing from an old, devout man who was waiting to see the                     Promised One before he died and a widow who was standing nearby

          So maybe Phillip Brooks had the right idea when he chose those words… for into such a place as little unaware Bethlehem, God “silently gave” His wondrous gift – His best gift, His Son. 

         And with that gift our lives have been changed forever because God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

No Eye Had Seen

          One of my favorite Christmas cds is by Michael W Smith. He did an amazing job with all the songs and orchestration. I find myself pulling that particular cd out to listen to more than any others.

        One of my favorite songs on this cd is “No Eye Had Seen”, a duet by Amy Grant and Michael W Smith. I love the quiet beginning – just like the quiet beginning of Jesus life on earth. But then, when the swell of the string section builds to the praise of the newborn King – I find myself incapable of containing the joy that comes as I hear these words:   

And song broke forth
Angelic strain
And none could help
But sing the name

Emmanuel
Kyrie eleison (means “Lord, have mercy”) we sing
Emmanuel
Glory to the newborn King
Emmanuel
Mortal and immortal voices
Emmanuel
Endless praises echoing

        I love the name Emmanuel. I cannot think of a more fitting name that God could have given to help us recognize what it meant to have Jesus be born. Emmanuel… God with us.

        He isn’t out there somewhere – He is WITH us.

                In every circumstance

                         every hurt inflicted

                                every confusing moment

                                         every trial that gives opportunity to grow

                                                every peaceful times of solitude

                                                        every joy

                                                                every day!

        And that is why mortals (we human beings – the very ones God came redeem) and immortal (angels who serve and continually worship) cannot keep silent! Once we grasp that the King came to be with us, we must give voice to our praise! For God is with us.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

          I love Christmas music! I love the reminders of truth that have been put to music. The music helps me remember the words… which prompts me to reflect on the promises God gives in His Word.

          There is one song that has been playing over and over in my mind for the past couple of weeks – I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. I have always loved this song but some of the words have a deeper meaning to me this year. And as I think about the events that just happened in Connecticut, I think this song could have just been penned.

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."

          Sometimes I really understand the words to this verse. When things are going all wrong and evil seems to be winning it becomes easy to think that hate will overcome and there really won’t be any peace.

          But then I remember the names of God: Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, the Prince of Peace – and my favorite, Emmanuel = God with us. And I think the author, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, got this next part right!! God is not dead and He does not sleep! That truth can make you sit up a little straighter and breathe a lot easier!!

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."

30 Days of Gratitude ~ Day 29

          I am thankful for the Name of God! With just a moment of thought, these are some of the names of God I came up with…

Messiah ~ Jehovah ~ Ancient of Days ~ Hiding Place

Lion of Judah ~ Everlasting Father ~ Wonderful Counselor

Alpha and Omega (beginning & end) ~ Emmanuel – God is WITH us

Jehovah-Jireh  (God will provide) ~ Jehovah-Shalom (The Lord is peace)

Jehovah-Shammah (the Lord who is present ) ~ El Roi (The God Who sees)

Jehovah-Rapha  (The Lord our healer) ~ El-Shaddai  (God Almighty)

Faithful & True ~ Living Word ~ Abba ~ Good Shepherd ~ Strong Tower

Great High Priest ~ Rabboni (teacher) ~ Prince of peace ~ Savior

Lamb of God ~ I Am

          When I hear or speak the Name of God I am reminded of Who He is – and His character. That is why only the Name of God can bring joy and comfort to my hurt and discouraged heart or bring healing and peace.

          God’s Name - it represents Him in all the fullness and glory that is Him! I think that is why it brings me to tears when I hear people use God’s name in swearing or flippant ways. It especially breaks my heart to hear people who wear His Name (Christians) use God’s name so casually as filler or in an angry response. We who love God and walk with Him should speak the Name with absolute awe and reverence it can’t help but be noticed by those who don’t know our Creator~Redeemer. Why? Because His Name is – wonderful!

“Your Name and renown are the desires of our hearts…”

Isaiah 26:8