When I was a child one of the holiday traditions my sisters and I had was to make eyes at each other and stifle giggles during the Christmas Eve Service. The same woman annually sang O Holy Night with so much vibrato girls bordered on embarrassing parents. The tradition also involved the annual LOOK of “stop it right now or you will not live to see another day and don’t forget I love you but I am not kidding.”
Unfortunately I never really focused on the words because in my mind, all I heard was high pitched vibrato.
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 it’s worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
What a pitch perfect rendition of the Good News. Long lay the world in sin and error pinning. Even though we live this side of the cross, we still have seasons of pinning for God. Longing for an answer. At times so burdened by the weight of sin and error.
Til he appeared and soul felt it’s worth. The good news isn’t we won’t go to hell (though it’s true) or join a rich faith tradition (true too!). No, the good news is God cared so much he longed to return us to our Eden State of knowing our worth to him. The extent to which he loved us. To see ourselves the way God sees us. To know our worth.
A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices. Rejoices. Re-joy! Again… joy!
May your soul know it’s worth this year. May you experience a thrill pass through your soul and rejoice.
It is indeed a holy time.
*****
The book club I’ve been leading for Velvet Ashes has concluded our first book, Ann Voskamp’s The Greatest Gift, a Christmas devotional. Pop over and enjoy the discussions in the comment section (I do love a good book chat!). It would make a good Christmas Evening read :)
- Week one: What are you yearning for this season?
- Week two: Moving towards Christmas
- Week three: What are you absorbed in?
- Week four: Making space for Christmas
Christmas Gift for you: Best Christmas Advice (that won’t cost you a time, but will still cost).
Merry Christmas! Amy
P.S. a Messy Middle newsletter will be coming soon. If you haven’t already, please subscribe on the right hand of the blog where is says Newsletter and a free book. The newsletter won’t be on the blog.
Has there been a moment you felt your worth these past few days?
Amy
Good Morning Amy,
I remember the look too as I giggled in church.
And I will remember next year what you wrote.
“May your soul know it’s worth this year.”
There have been days and years where I didn’t. I know Jesus loves me, and that is enough. I, we, are valuable.
Merry Christmas Amy.
Pamela, I’m thankful our paths have crossed her on the great WWW. Merry Christmas to you too! Amy
Merry Christmas Amy!
Thank you Mark! I appreciate you. Amy
I sang and talked about this song for our departments’ Christmas party this year! Chose it because I think it summarizes Christmas so beautifully. I hope my vibrato wasn’t too annoying for the kids…. :P
There is NO way it could be :) Merry Christmas morielle, I’m so glad we met this year !!