December 15th, 2009

carecare

It's been a while now since I've truly felt the Christmas spirit or really been super-excited about the arrival of the  Christmas holidays. I think it's because I'm much older now and there's no anticipation of gifts on Christmas morning. Or because I live in Southern California and it hardly gets cold here. (I associate Christmas with very cold weather.)

And even more sad, I suppose, is that when Christmas has rolled by the past couple of years, I've hardly given a thought as to why we really celebrate the holidays -- you know, because of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and the King of Kings

But at church this past weekend (Flood), we sang "O Holy Night," (which is my favorite Christmas song btw) and I felt this sudden rush of emotion and I choked up. It was like... a revelation of sorts, or a big "DUH" from God as to the meaning behind it all.  We celebrate Christmas because we are nothing without Jesus. There's no hope and no peace in this depraved, suffering world without Him, without a Saviour to save us from our sinful selves and to teach us how to love. And I was also struck by our God's awesomeness and greatness -- how He loved us so much to subject Himself to this world and to take upon Him the punishment we rightly deserve.

He Knows our need, our weakness is no stranger. Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend! Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!

Truly He Taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother. And in his name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, With all our hearts we praise His holy name. Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we, His power and glory ever more proclaim! His power and glory ever more proclaim!

It's a shame I've mindless sung these lyrics so many times in the past, but hopefully I won't simply gloss over their powerful meaning anymore.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you! Hope you have a GOOD one!

To listen to Flood's Advent Conspiracy sermon series on Christmas, click here.

My favorite "O Holy Night Version" is by 98 Degrees (yes, it's a boy band, I know, but I like the harmony...) and I also really like Chris Tomlin's version too (which is actually contains the full lyrics written below, unlike the 98 degrees version).

O Holy Night Lyrics 
Christmas Carol Lyrics

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!