Psalm 95:7c-8a: "Today, if only you would hear His voice, do not harden your hearts."
I was just watching a 'flash mob' singing in a mall. They sang wonderful songs, culminating in people representing Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus walking in. The crowd got down on their knees as they approached, and sang O Holy Night. "Fall on your knees! Oh hear the angels voices, O Night Divine, O night when Christ was born."
Listening to this song, I hear the story of a people who were waiting for the Messiah to be born. 400 years of silence from God. The Promise remained unfulfilled. Then in a glorious display to the lowliest of people, shepherds, God announced His Messiah had arrived to bring them back to Himself as a holy people.
"Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth".
God looked upon us all and wanted us to know that He thought we were worth something. This is something we could not have dreamed up. He sent Himself. He sent Jesus to show us who He really is. He came to show us His love for us, and His plan to reconcile a people to Himself. He came to show us what we are worth. The world has hurt, destroyed and broken all of us. Jesus came to restore us, and to give us a new beginning. So much silence, for so long. Then...
Isaiah 9 1b-2, 6 -7:
1b:"He will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan--
2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned."
6 "For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this."
Prophesied, foretold. When would this happen? The people waited. Some saw and believed. Some saw and ran the other way. Some tried to snuff out the Light. But the Light dispelled the darkness. O Holy Night. O Night Divine. The Night when Christ was Born.
He gave us a new beginning, one that is sinless. Guilt and shame no longer are our masters when we turn to Christ and accept what He has for us. A free life. The ability to know God and know what our purpose is. His love is boundless. He is FOR us. This is all so amazing to me. I am so beyond grateful for what God has done for me, and the offer is extended to everyone.
Maybe some are still waiting, wondering where God is, wondering if He cares at all. So many years ago, He proved His love and His plan in that one Holy Night. Can we fall on our knees and hear, really listen? Can we comprehend that God Almighty cares and loves and has a plan? All we can do is say Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! We can recieve this wonderful gift of relationship with God by saying yes, I believe. Yes I believe Jesus came for me. Jesus gave His life for me so I could be free. Thank You Thank You Thank You.
Oh holy night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
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
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine
Thank You for that One Holy Night.
I was just watching a 'flash mob' singing in a mall. They sang wonderful songs, culminating in people representing Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus walking in. The crowd got down on their knees as they approached, and sang O Holy Night. "Fall on your knees! Oh hear the angels voices, O Night Divine, O night when Christ was born."
Listening to this song, I hear the story of a people who were waiting for the Messiah to be born. 400 years of silence from God. The Promise remained unfulfilled. Then in a glorious display to the lowliest of people, shepherds, God announced His Messiah had arrived to bring them back to Himself as a holy people.
"Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth".
God looked upon us all and wanted us to know that He thought we were worth something. This is something we could not have dreamed up. He sent Himself. He sent Jesus to show us who He really is. He came to show us His love for us, and His plan to reconcile a people to Himself. He came to show us what we are worth. The world has hurt, destroyed and broken all of us. Jesus came to restore us, and to give us a new beginning. So much silence, for so long. Then...
Isaiah 9 1b-2, 6 -7:
1b:"He will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan--
2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned."
6 "For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this."
Prophesied, foretold. When would this happen? The people waited. Some saw and believed. Some saw and ran the other way. Some tried to snuff out the Light. But the Light dispelled the darkness. O Holy Night. O Night Divine. The Night when Christ was Born.
He gave us a new beginning, one that is sinless. Guilt and shame no longer are our masters when we turn to Christ and accept what He has for us. A free life. The ability to know God and know what our purpose is. His love is boundless. He is FOR us. This is all so amazing to me. I am so beyond grateful for what God has done for me, and the offer is extended to everyone.
Maybe some are still waiting, wondering where God is, wondering if He cares at all. So many years ago, He proved His love and His plan in that one Holy Night. Can we fall on our knees and hear, really listen? Can we comprehend that God Almighty cares and loves and has a plan? All we can do is say Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! We can recieve this wonderful gift of relationship with God by saying yes, I believe. Yes I believe Jesus came for me. Jesus gave His life for me so I could be free. Thank You Thank You Thank You.
Oh holy night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
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
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine
Thank You for that One Holy Night.