Here's my one and only apology/warning to all my readers: I am not a wonderful writer, speller, or "grammarist" and will make many mistakes and/or run-on sentences. Please, bear with me!
Secondly, I am always open for discussion. If something I write strikes you (in a good or bad way), feel free to leave a comment, or contact me about it! I am not afraid of talking, even if all you have is disagreement and criticism for me, and even if it's not "constructive" and is straight up "rude," I will still hear it and respond the best way I can! :)
Thirdly, I'll try and post interesting and random thoughts, NOT an online journal!
And, finally, my first post!
If you pay attention to my facebook, then this will not be new information to you. But, for the past few years, "O Holy Night" has been my favorite Christmas song. It has a beautiful melody along with a wonderful news. My favorite verse in particular is often not sung (or only partially sung by Josh Groban). It's as follows:
Truly He taught us to LOVE one another
His law is love and his gospel is PEACE
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother
And in His name, all OPPRESSION shall CEASE
Sweet Hymns of joy, in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us, PRAISE His holy name
Christ is the Lord! Oh praise his name forever
His power and glory evermore proclaim
I wish I had more to say about this song, but it sort of speaks for itself.
As of recent, I have a NEW NEW NEW favorite CHRISTMAS song! It is not one of the classics, but speaks with the same fervor of our favorite CHRISTmas songs of old. It even has a sweet melody to it, it's just more "contemporary" sounding. But that's alright since many of our old favorites have been modernized (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlmen by Barenaked Ladies/Sarah McLaughlin). I've decided to share this with you to help express my thoughts about celebrating Christmas and what it really means to me.
It's a day of wonder and awe as I look upon a miracle that occurred for my sake and the sake of the world to be reconciled with the Almighty Creator. It's a beautiful and unique story that has lasted throughout the ages in the hearts of those who love the Lord. Even though my view of Christmas can be blurred by the new meanings the world gave it (commercialism, being "good for goodness's sake, etc.), I can hear a slight, yet fierce whisper from the Lord come forth to remind me about how in Love with me He is (and how in love with Him I am). This song seems to encompass how I feel and how I usually come before the Lord: in wonder and with questions. It's called "How Many Kings" by Downhere:
Follow the star to a place unexpected
Would you believe after all we've projected
A child in a manger
Lowly and small, the weakest of all
Unlikeliness hero, wrapped in his mother's shawl
Just a child
Is this who we've waited for?
How many kings stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Bringing our gifts for the newborn savior
All that we have whether costly or meek
Because we believe
Gold for his honor and frankincense for his pleasure
And myrrh for the cross he'll suffer
Do you believe, is this who we've waited for?
It's who we've waited for!
How many kings stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
ONLY ONE DID THAT FOR ME
All for me
All for you
All for me
All for you
Like "O Holy Night," this song emphasizes the state of the world and the sort of things that the Lord would do for nothing in return. However, it has a much different approach. It points out the lowliness of our salvation's entrance in this world. How the Lord Almighty would lower himself and come in a way we would never expect. The song goes on to emphasize this point by asking questions that only point to Jesus and again, highlight the unfathomable love of our Lord. Finally, as you'll notice in the second verse, a response is mentioned... gifts and worship for the newborn King!
If you'd like to hear the song, go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulY2KPmpMwk
The video is boring, but at least you can hear the song for free :)
So now I'll conclude: Our Lord God loves everyone, as the angel who appeared to the Shepherds said, "Do not be afraid. I bring you GOOD NEWS of GREAT JOY for ALL PEOPLE." As I try to wrap my head around that statement, two things come to mind: the way in which our salvation came and our response to it. I love Christmas for many reasons, being with family, holiday treats, and holiday music, BUT most of all, I love it because it's the day to celebrate God's love through the birth of His son and our Savior, Jesus Christ! It's a day where I stand in wonder of this beautiful miracle and praise the Lord for His imaginative character and for His love that came down not just for me, but for ALL PEOPLE!
I hope you all enjoyed Christmas day and were able to ponder and love the true meaning for CHRISTmas :)
