Disappointment to Joy

It happened once again - the day after Christmas.  I woke up early and planned the day ahead of me:  a cup of coffee, bring up the Christmas boxes, start taking down the decorations, do the laundry, clean, etc.  Yes, that was what the day was going to bring.  As I proceeded through my list of activities, the disappointment seemed to become larger and larger.  Disappointment over what?

Christmas.  It doesn't happen every year, but this year it seemed to crawl back into my heart.  Disappointment in all the preparations not yielding the exact results I had planned.  Disappointment in all of it passing so very quickly.  Disappointment in the lack of "wow" that I had anticipated.  Disappointment that weeks and months of planning resulted in less than 24 hours of joy.  What happened and why do I feel this way?

I sat down on the living room couch, by myself, to reflect.  What I realized was that when my life focuses more on the preparations themselves versus the "why" of the preparation, my heart isn't full.  Other years it was different.  When my preparations focused more on Jesus, my heart was full.  This year was a year of change.  Significant others joining our Christmas morning.  Children not present due to military commitments.  Just different.  I seemed to focus more on the differences than on the joy of the season.

The more I reflected, the more I asked for forgiveness.  It was time to share with Jesus that my priorities had shifted, and that wasn't what I wanted.  I thought about how much God puts into preparing me - preparing me for trials, preparing me for evangelism, preparing me for His walk.  What happens when I disappoint Him?  Does He go into a "funk" and focuses on the disappointments that I bring to Him?  If I read our verse for today, it is just the opposite!!

Jesus won't rebuke me, but loves me.  He not only loves me but REJOICES over me.  Me, with all my flaws.  Me, with all the disappointments I bring.  Jesus rejoices over me!  As I let those words seep into my heart, the disappointment I was feeling moved to incredible joy.  Joy over the true fact that Jesus loves me.  Joy that He will never leave me.  Joy that He forgives me and doesn't hold it against me.  How wonderful are those words  - He will rejoice over me!!

Disappointment happens in this world.  When expectations aren't met, disappointment sets in.  During those moments, spend a few minutes in reflection.  Remember that are words and actions could be very disappointing for Jesus as well.  Sit back, reflect, repent, and receive the joy that Jesus gives us.  Meditate on the joy He brings into our lives through His love and salvation.  That will move many disappointments to joy!

Dearest Jesus, Thank you for loving us and rejoicing over us, although there are many times when we may disappoint you.  Forgive us when our hearts aren't fully focused on you and may our hearts be filled with the knowledge of a forever love and forever life in you.  In your joyous name we pray.  Amen!

The Most Silent of Nights

"Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth, peace, good will toward men."

Luke 2:14 (KJV)

It's Christmas Eve, the candles are lit, and we begin to sing Silent Night.  Every Christmas Eve my family takes bets on how long it will take for me to cry.  Typically, I never make it past the first few lines before the tears start.  They are tears for many reasons.

     Tears of joy that my family, for a moment in time, are seated peacefully around me.

     Tears of Christmases past, where my heart may have been heavy and peace was restored.

     Tears of love gone too soon, in memory of my father whose favorite Christmas carol was this one.

     Tears of hope that this special night brings.

This particular carol, no matter where it plays, has always found home in my heart.  I believe it is because of the reverence it brings to all who hear it.  There is a calmness that blankets itself around those that hear it.  Everything slows down to capture the words so lovingly penned many years ago.  It exudes peace - the peace that the Christ child brought to this Earth for all.  It is that peace that brings my heart to Christ.

Our lives are not always filled with peace.  Whether it is conflict with family or friends.  Whether it is worry of finances or health concerns.  Whether it is loved ones gone from us too soon or loved ones living far away.  Many of these situations cause us to believe that peace is far away.  Take a seat with me.  Turn on the song below.  Listen to the cherished words given to us.  Imagine yourself there at Jesus' birth - the peace that enveloped Mary and Joseph on that special night.  May that peace wash over you so you can feel Jesus' love.

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
'Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar;
Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, oh, loves pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth

May Christmas this year bring you the peace of that Silent Night, the peace that passes all understanding, the peace of Jesus.  I pray each of you reading this has a blessed Christmas.

Heavenly Father, bless everyone this Christmas in what they need so that their hearts may be filled with peace.  Grant serenity and understanding, love and joy, hope and grace to all.  We thank you, God, for the truly greatest gift this world has ever received, the gift of Jesus.  Amen!

The Manger Scene

"and she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."  Luke 2:7 KJV

For ten years, Miss Marcia and I taught pre-school Sunday School.  On many different levels, this experience was a true blessing and will always be in my heart.  Although there were many memorable Bible stories, nothing was better than "readying" the class for the Christmas pageant.  Our class was always assigned the singing of "Away in a Manger."  Be still my heart as we dressed those precious little ones into costumes of angels and lambs and got them to the front of the church for their big moment. 

There was a reason why that time was so important to me.  Yes, the children, the setting, and the smiles were awesome.  Yet, it was the song we got to sing.  To me, that song epitomizes the nativity scene.  It is at the nativity scene where we realize that God bestowed upon us His greatest gift - His son being born of a virgin.  That scene helps me to realize, each and every year, the love God has for me, for you, for us.  Not only did He give us His son, but did so in the most humble of ways. 

Jesus was teaching us, from the very beginning, how we should humble ourselves among others.  Jesus was teaching us, from the very beginning, how we can love others so simply.

Jesus was teaching us, from the very beginning, how to have faith.

The blessings of this scene, of this song, brings the greatest of joys - the joy that our Savior came to us.  All He asks of us is to believe, to have faith, and to repent.  The rest is left in His humble and loving arms.  What a blessing we have in those arms!  

Away in a manger
No crib for His bed
The little Lord Jesus
Lay down His sweet head

The stars in the sky
Look down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing
The poor Baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes

I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my side
'Til morning is nigh

Be near me, Lord Jesus
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me, I pray

Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to Heaven
To live with Thee there

The words in each verse helps us to see Jesus as human, being with us, close to us, taking care of us.  As we sing these words this Christmas season, may we feel Jesus' arms around us, His children, and know that we are loved.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for sending Jesus to us in such a miraculous way.  Knowing that Jesus came to earth as human, just for us, makes us feel your love ever so more.  Help us to not only feel that love, but to share that love with others.  In your loving arms we give ourselves.  Amen

Angels on High

"The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."  Luke 2:20 (NIV)

The Advent wreath has been one of my favorite parts of Christmas.  Each Sunday, we light the respective candle associated for that day.  The second Sunday represents faith.   On this Sunday of faith, I thought that it was appropriate to bring to light the carol, "Angels We Have Heard on High".  Where is the link?  I'd like to think that the link between the birth of Christ and faith in God is seen with the shepherds.

A few verses before the one noted above finds the angels telling the shepherds the good news of Jesus' birth.  Shepherds, whose faith in God must have been strong.  Their days and evenings were filled with tending to the sheep, not in nearby towns in local synagogues.  The picture of the angels coming down to the shepherds speaks to the vastness of God bringing Jesus to Earth.  The heavenly hosts came to share the good news.

After hearing the news, their faith brings them to Bethlehem to see Jesus in the manger.   This Christmas hymn picks up the story as they have seen Jesus, and all his glory.  As they leave they sing praises to God on High, praises of what they have seen.  Our lowly shepherds spreading the good news of Jesus!!  Let's see the words:

1. Angels we have heard on high
   Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
   And the mountains in reply
   Echoing their joyous strains.
   • Refrain:
     Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
     Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
2. Shepherds, why this jubilee?
   Why your joyous strains prolong?
   What the gladsome tidings be
   Which inspire your heav’nly song?
3. Come to Bethlehem and see
   Him Whose birth the angels sing;
   Come, adore on bended knee,
   Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
4. See Him in a manger laid,
   Whom the choirs of angels praise;
   Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
   While our hearts in love we raise.

I think my favorite part to this song is the refrain.  Yes, whether in the car or at church, I tend to "belt it out", sharing praise to our Lord and King today.  To sing to God, to sing to the angels, and to sing to each other in such a strong and wonderful way helps us to share our faith.  The shepherds showed us how to give praise!  May we also show our faith and praise to Jesus with shouts of joy singing, "Gloria, in excelsis Deo!"

Heavenly Father, may we sing to the angels of our faith in you!  As we prepare during this Advent season, help us to see the joy that the shepherds sang of.  Help us to sing of praise to you, Jesus, as we share our faith in you with others surrounding us.  In your gracious name we pray.  Amen!

Emmanuel is Coming

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:  The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel."  Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)

Here we are, the first Sunday in Advent.  This time of year not only provides such excitement of the holidays - the time with friends and family, the joy of buying gifts, and the worship on Christmas Eve.  During this Advent season, it is a time of preparation and anticipation.  Advent gives us the opportunity to slow down and really focus on the promise that came to reality over 2000 years ago.

"O Come, O Come Emmanuel" is a beautiful Christmas hymn that helps us to focus on that anticipation.  Based on the Bible verse above, we see in Isaiah that there was a promise the Dear Lord gave to those on earth at the time - that HE will give us a sign.  There, he laid out exactly what the promise was - a virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel (God with us).  The promise God gave us helps us to realize that God, from Heaven, was going to walk with us.  That promise was the gift of his Son.

O come, O come, Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appears

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Desire of nations, bind
All peoples in one heart and mind;
Bid envy, strife and discord cease,
Fill the whole earth with Heaven's peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Throughout this beautiful hymn, we see the promise that God was giving to Israel.  Although this entire hymn brings hope, the verse that captures my heart every time is the binding of nations - ALL people in one heart and mind, filling earth with Heaven's peace.  Let's soak in those words for a moment.  With all that is happening around us, what joy is found in those words - strife ends and peace shall reign.  That peace is only found in the gift that was given to us - the gift of Jesus.

I know life can get busy during the holiday time.  I ask, as we explore beautiful Christmas hymns during the next few weeks, that you sit down and meditate on the words, starting with "O Come, O Come Emmanuel".  Through this hymn may we find darkness subside and the glow of hearts bound as one and peace shine.  Please sing out loud with me, "Rejoice, Rejoice Emmanuel. Shall come to thee, O Israel."

"Heavenly Father, thank you for the promise you gave us - promise that your Son would be born among us, to be with us, and provide for us all that we need.  This promise helps us to see one another as your sons and daughters and brings our hearts closer to each other and to you.  As we prepare for Jesus' coming, help us to reflect on all that is good and righteous.  In your name.  Amen!