Advent begins with a list of chores, wishes and lists... but it really should begin with a prayer of thanks and meditation on the goodness of God to send a Savior.
We move into the darkest part of the year to see the brightest Hope of the nations. As I told my kids, it doesn't really matter if December 25th was the ACTUAL day of Jesus' birth. The fact is - he was born, lived and died for us. And for that I am thankful...
Charles Wesley's hymn is on my mind this morning:
By: Charles Wesley
Come, O long-expected Jesus,
Born to set your people free;
From our fears and sins release us
By your death on Calvary.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope to all the earth impart,
dear desire of ev'ry nation,
Joy of ev'ry longing heart.
Born your people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a king;
Born to reign in us forever,
Now your gracious kingdom bring.
By your own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By your all-sufficient merit
Raise us to your glorious throne.
I pray I will continue to have a "longing heart" for the return of our Reigning King...
Deb
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4 comments:
Deb,
I agree about the birth of Jesus. I love that we celebrate His birth when so many cultures are celebrating and yearning for the return of the Light. It makes me feel so much joy about the universality of Christ, available to us particularly in the person of Jesus.
I always hear this to Hyfrydol, which has such line and majesty. Know what I mean? It feels bigger than the book and the page, so cosmic.
We sang that hymn yesterday, but to a tune to which I am not accustomed. Disorienting! - which is not necessarily a bad thing.
Lovely...one of my favorite hymns, too..
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