He Brings Love and Peace

There they all were, excited for the show to start. Parents, students, grand-parents, friends. Yes, I’m talking about the end of year concerts, Christmas shows, assemblies. The laughter and clapping rang out as the first item was presented and the people in the audience were oohing and ahhing.

I had a smile on my face too, even if no one I knew was in the item. There was one young boy sitting in front of me that was so infectious. His excitement was through the roof. His clapping and cheering were full on and everyone around us was smiling and laughing at his enthusiasm. Even when the raffle (midway through the night) was drawn, his “Michelle, Michelle, Michelle” cheering made us all laugh with enjoyment.

I went away from the night so excited in my spirit that I said to the Lord – “I want that young boy on my team, in my life.” What joy he brought!

The Spirit whispered to me – that’s the JOY of CHRIST he has – the celebration of the coming of the Lord – not far away now.

It made me question have I got that JOY ON? In my spirit, in my words, in my readiness for Christmas Day? And NOT just because of the family get together or presents but because we are rejoicing that CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR IS BORN TO US.

From that night I have changed priorities a little. I want to be JOY FILLED. So, when Christmas comes, I have rekindled the FLAME within me. Kept it burning bright as often sung in Christmas Carols. But also burning bright for His coming again on the Last day.

And this leads me into the beautiful Christmas Carols that have been composed over the years. Many were sung that night, some old ones and even some new ones about “I want a hippopotamus for Christmas.” (Did those lyrics bring a smile to my face!)

A pirate shanty song sung made me laugh – well pirates need CHRIST in Christmas too!

My favorite Carol is “O Holy Night” – the Lyrics are below.

O 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 soul 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

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 

Some of the lines really stand out to me. The words so precious.

“Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.”

This Son of God born for us, if we truly reflect upon it, has made our existence meaningful. Jesus, the Father have shown us our worth. God the Father has sent His Son to live amongst us and later to die for us. What LOVE!

And so, we fall on our knees as the chorus states – that’s the position we go to in gratitude to Our God and in Surrender.

Then the line…

His law is LOVE and His gospel is PEACE.

Oh, may we ALL know those two things this Christmas. LOVE and PEACE.

What JOY this brings me, should bring us all.

It’s not too late to put on that JOY, like the young man at that concert.

Let’s show the world who is Coming and will come again and what He brings to all. LOVE and PEACE.

May these jottings from my journal inspire you to believe in and fall in love with Christ- the hope of the world, as stated in Jeremiah 17:7, ‘Blessed is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord and whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord!’

Love

Rosemary

Every week groups of ladies meet together to chat about the things I raise in my weekly blog post and to chat about life in general. We call these ‘Heart Connect’ groups. If you would like more information please click HERE.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

What is your favorite Christmas Carol?

Do you have the joy of Christ in you?

What do you need to do to have the joy of Christ alive in you?