So often Christmas becomes about warm and fuzzy tradition. While
the best kind of warm and fuzzies are lighted by Christmas lights, let's not
forget that there is more than tradition. It is tradition that has come to be
because of the gospel and the hope that saturates this season. I love hymns and
Christmas hymns are the very best, because when else do you get to say
"Hark!"? Also, because, they are songs that Christians have been
using to praise the Lord for a long time and they are rich and full. This year
instead of just singing them because it’s Christmas, I've been really pondering
what they mean and the music that goes with them. Here are some favorite lines
(in list form, obviously):
(really this whole song..."and drive away the shade of night and deaths dark shadows put to flight")
3. The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger, in our trials He's born to be our friend. He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger, behold your King before Him lowly bend (O Holy Night)
(no one ever sings this part and its really, really unfortunate)
4. He comes to make his blessings flow, far as the curse is found. (Joy to the World)
And the last
thing. I love that this season we celebrate a Savior who comes to us. He draws
near to a weary world. The Son of God appears to a needy and weak people
ushering "a thrill of hope" in our bruised and broken hearts. There
are hard things going on in and around us. We are exhausted and scared,
helpless and harassed. But this season, we remember to rejoice because
there is a great hope. In all of my brokenness, Jesus comes to redeem. In all
the ways that sin and the curse turn my life upside down, the Savior comes to
make His blessings flow by turning things right side up. And I don't have to
wait for it. There is no line to stand in and no patience to be had, because in
this Jesus took the initiative. He has come. He is near. Behold your King.
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