Greetings to you in the name of our ‘soon and coming King’, Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! On this snowy late autumn day it is good to remind ourselves that “this is the day that the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!” – even as we shovel snow and scrape ice and dress extra warm…and comment on how we are really feeling! Today I will be praying for you, asking Father to surprise you with His divine activity in your life – positive thoughts, improving health, special people, and happy memories.
There are two things that add pleasure to the Christmas season, well more than just two but two that I will mention. I like Christmas music … bright, happy, and memorable and I like the Christmas movies that celebrate restored relationships with happy endings.
I came across a story of a choir member whose life was turned around by a song that he was singing at a Christmas program – I’ve wandered far from God, Now I’m coming home, The paths of sin too long I’ve trod Lord, I’m coming home – Coming home, coming home, Never more to roam. Open wide Thine arms of love, Lord I’m coming home. Yes, music that created a happy ending…oh, I enjoy Christmas miracles!
Have you ever wondered what the difference between a Christmas hymn and a Christmas carol? I have, so after some searching, I came to a simple conclusion. A ‘hymn’ is truth that appeals to our way of thinking about and understanding of God and His truth, while a ‘carol’ is a song that appeals to our heart as it responds to and celebrates in God. A ‘hymn’ draws us to reflection and adoration and worship…perhaps standing in awe or kneeling with heads bowed low is respect of who God is and what He is doing. A ‘carol’ is a happy song that celebrates the joy of what God has done and is doing…making us want to laugh, sing, and dance.
Of course, whether we kneel with heads bowed low or stand in awe with hands raised high or dance with abandon or laugh with joy…we declare that He alone is worthy of praise. Worship is a precious gift that we give to God…and it changes us. Worship puts us in a right position with God and adjusts our perspective – filling our hearts with love and encouraging our faith.
To quote from a ‘friend’ – I believe and declare that I can, and do, worship God as I enjoy my Christmas music – hymn and carol…and as I watch a Christmas movie and laugh-cry with an overflow of emotions at the happy ending. Come to think of it – according to God’s Word are lives are a ‘Christmas movie’ with all sorts of twists and turns, ups and down, and an awesome happy ending!! – ‘open wide thine arms of love, Lord I’m coming home’!
Have a great day in the Kingdom!