(This was originally published in my Reflections column in
The Drayton Community News, November 25th, 2016; slightly edited)
One of the
best parts about the Christmas Eve service at our church is the lighting of the
candles and singing Silent Night at
the close. It’s a beautiful simple song that reminds me exactly what Christmas
is about.
Ya’ll
probably won’t want me to sing it to you any time soon lest I get mistaken for
the braying donkeys, but oh, those lovely lyrics are worth pondering.
Silent
night, holy night! All is calm, all is
bright.
Round
yon Virgin, Mother and Child. Holy infant so tender and mild,
The proof is in
the pudding. Or should I say in the Scripture – Luke 1:30-31: But the angel
said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will
conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. And Luke 1:34 “How
will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
Jesus, you kept
your tenderness and mildness because I feel it in my life sometimes, especially
when the world renders me weak. Thank you, Holy Infant child grown up.
Sleep
in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace
Why does the world
battle You with such hatred? All they need do is seek Your face and the peace
that passeth all understanding will follow. When you were a Babe, did you sleep
in heavenly peace, really? Or was Your heart unsettled for Your soul knew Your
destiny?
Silent
night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight.
I think if I saw a
host of angels in my face I might quake a little. But then I would hope I’d
discover that the silent, holy night was not about me being fearful but about
You being holy and perfect and born.
Glories
stream from heaven afar. Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
I love that God
was the first to introduce live streaming with all those glories, on that
wonderful eve! I’m joining in with the heavenly hosts on this one (just turn
down my microphone a little).
Christ
the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born
Triple amen on
that one. I love when people say they believe Christ was a great prophet and a
wise man. But they just cannot believe He is the Son of God. Then I laugh a
little because in the next breath I discover they believe in some Divine power
– um…what’s the hold-up with believing that Divine Power is Jesus, born in the
flesh? I’m thinking it must do with facing up to a sinful nature, maybe.
Silent
night, holy night! Son of God love's pure light.
God is love. It
says that over and over in the Bible. A son carries on the traits of a father.
Thank you, Jesus, for bringing God’s love to earth. I’m so glad we have a
special, designated day to focus on the Light - the real Reason for the
celebration. You’re the best, God.
Radiant
beams from Thy holy face with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Redeeming Grace.
That’s a mouthful. And a heartful. I don’t deserve one iota of Your Redeeming
Grace, Lord. But You really have saved a wretch like me. You tell me it’s not
where I’ve been, it’s where I am going that matters. When I keep looking behind
me, like I am wont to do, I miss the radiant beams of Your beautiful, Holy
Face. I will keep trying. Promise.
Jesus
Lord, at Thy birth. Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.
You
were born. You were Lord when you were born. You were the most amazing Gift
that ever could be and You came here to die when you were born. How can I
express anything else this Silent Night?
Thank you, Jesus, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.
Christmas
is fast approaching, although I do not put up decorations or do too much prior
to December, I won’t have the opportunity to send my greetings to you this way
so for now let me wish you all a very Merry Christmas, friends. May you and
your families enjoy a truly Silent Night this Christmas.
###
Glynis lives, loves, laughs and does an awful lot of reading, writing, publishing and praying in her home office.
Her latest children's book, JESUS LOVES ME WHEN I DANCE, celebrates and shows us that with Jesus Love, we'll never lose!
www.glynisbelec.com
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