Christmas

It's December, the month that the modern day church & world celebrates the birth of Jesus. David has begun going through the Christmas story in the flannel-graph children's sermon for church, and we are making plans for our Christmas Service this coming Sunday morning (12/19/10).

As I was listening to Christmas music on the radio this morning, "Breath of Heaven/Mary's Song" (Amy Grant) started playing. I've always loved the song, but it started registering in a new level as I thought about the lyrics.

I have traveled
Many moonless night
Cold and Weary
With a babe inside

I, as have many other believers, have been through seasons in my life that have felt dark and weary, cold and confusing.  These days often feel very distant from God, and the promise that Christ is still there, living inside of me, and that He will never leave us can be hard to hold onto.

And I wonder
What I've done
Holy Father
You have come
Chosen me now
To carry your son

I've been through days where I have wondered and been amazed that the God of the Universe would choose ME to carry His presence to the world around me. Why me, with all my mistakes and failings? He must have been able to have some other plan, instead of using messed up fallen people to change the world. Yet He didn't - He chose me.

I am waiting
in a silent prayer
I am frightened
by the load i bear
In a world as cold as stone
Must I walk this path alone
Be with me now
Be with me now

The Creator of the galaxies has entrusted me to share the story of His Love to a lost and dying world who has forgotten the meaning of what love is, and has rejected Him. Yet He does not send me to walk this path alone - He is here, giving me strength and security and bringing a light to the darkness. He has, is, and will redeem me from my sin, washing me with His holiness for the remainder of my life until I stand before His throne.

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Breath of Heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of Heaven

Breath of Heaven
Lighten my darkness
Pour over me, your holyness
For you are holy...Breath of Heaven

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Do you wonder
As you watch my face
If a wiser one, should of had my place
But I offer-all I am
For the mercy-of your plan
Help me be strong
Help me be
Help me

Why doesn't God question this plan, or choose someone better & more capable than me to walk this road? Because that's the great adventure, the truth beyond the Christmas story: God takes ordinary, weak people who are willing to say, "Yes!" to His plans, and gives us the mercy & strength to take up the role. And He will be there, helping me along every step in the road.

And His gifts extend beyond that. The words we display this time of year (Love, Joy, Peace, Faith) are promises, and are ours to keep as we seek the Baby that was born so long ago. Lay hold of them, and remember the One who was born... and grew up to lay down His life. Who was a man, in order to lead us by true example to His Father. Who is Majesty. Emmanuel. God.


He is holy. He is the greatest gift of all.