Christmas Music

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.

Luke 2:13-14, KJV

Christmas music is everywhere. At this time of year, one can hardly tune in without hearing a Christmas song of some sort, Christian or secular. Bells ringing... although gone are the sleigh bells, now, it's mostly Salvation Army. The serenity conjured up by "Silent Night" has been lost in the insanity of last-minute shopping and Grandma getting “run over by a reindeer.” The hustle and bustle "as the shoppers rush home with their treasures."

Whatever our feeling about Christmas music, when was the last time we TRULY listened to the words of a Christmas carol and actually reflected on their meaning - our spirit moved by the passion and truth in them?

…Let every heart prepare Him room... 

…O lay aside each earthly thing, and with thy heart as offering, come worship… 

 
…The King of kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone Him… 

…Born a child and yet a King. Born to reign in us forever… 

…Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord, that hath made heaven and earth of naught, and with His Blood mankind hath bought…Noel, noel… 

…Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled…

…O come, Desire of nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind: Bid Thou our sad divisions cease, and be Thyself our King of peace…Rejoice! Rejoice!

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men."

Ah, yes! The true sounds of the season…

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for loving us enough to send Your Son to save us from our sin and ourselves. Help us to lay aside each earthly thing and with our hearts as offering, come to worship. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Sounds of the Season

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:13-14, KJV

Christmas music is everywhere. At this time of year, one can hardly tune in without hearing a Christmas song of some sort, Christian or secular. Bells ringing... although gone are the sleigh bells, now, it's mostly Salvation Army. The serenity conjured up by "Silent Night" has been lost in the insanity of last minute shopping and Grandma getting “run over by a reindeer.” The hustle and bustle "as the shoppers rush home with their treasures."

And while we may be tired of hearing nothing but Christmas music, when was the last time we listened to the words of a Christmas carol and actually reflected on their meaning - our spirit moved by the passion and truth in them?

…Let every heart prepare Him room...

…But in Bethlehem's home there was found no room for Thy holy nativity. O come to my heart, Lord Jesus: There is room in my heart for Thee!...

…O lay aside each earthly thing, and with thy heart as offering, come worship…

…The King of kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone Him…

…Born a child and yet a King. Born to reign in us forever…

…Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord, that hath made heaven and earth of naught, and with His Blood mankind hath bought…Noel, noel…

…Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled…

…O come, Desire of nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind: Bid Thou our sad divisions cease, and be Thyself our King of peace…Rejoice! Rejoice!...

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Ah, yes! The sounds of the season…

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for loving us enough to send Your Son to save us from our sin and ourselves. Help us to lay aside each earthly thing and with our hearts as offering, come to worship. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Forthwith

As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
Luke 2:15-18 The Message

This year, as last, I ask God to awaken my heart again to hear the Truth written so purposefully into the Christmas carols we've sung all our lives. 'Hark!' The herald angels sing, 'Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild - God and sinners reconciled! Reconciled to God!

Have you ever thought about it from the shepherds' viewpoint? Lyrics from While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks - Thus spake the seraph and forthwith appeared a shining throng of angels praising God on high... Can you even imagine what it would be like to have an angel appear in front of you "out of nowhere" - make the proclamation and forthwith a shining throng of them appears?!? I'm surprised the shock didn't kill them. Then what did they do? The Scripture tells us they talked it over, and they left RUNNING to see what God had revealed!

Do we make haste to see what God has revealed to us? Do we even move from our computer chairs to see to what He nudged us about or do we talk ourselves out of it? I don't want to become blasé about the Christmas story. Clouded and shrouded by years of tradition, do we dread the holiday and all the commercialism and man-made stresses, or do we see it for what it really is - God's greatest plan for mankind?

Prayer:

Father,
            Forgive us for dreading the day of celebration for Your Greatest Gift to us. Thank You for sending Your Son. Father, cause our hearts to burn within us so that we tell everyone we meet about this gift! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen