We celebrate and we cry

Dave’s second novel, in proof-form (while he is diligently at work on the sequel to Altar) arrived by special messenger today:

 11 days until Christmas.  Dave got his first gift.  :)

It is a moment we have been waiting for and a moment to rejoice and celebrate.  But the school shooting in Connecticut makes it more difficult, realizing the hurt being felt by so many.

God help us.  For a world living in darkness, may we BE the Light of Jesus.  I hear the anguished words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow” in my heart today.  He wrote them shortly after his beloved wife had died in an accidental fire and he had just received word that his firstborn son had been severely wounded during the Civil War.  I believe we are all feeling what he must have as he penned the words:

“And in despair I bowed my head, ‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said.  For hate is strong and mocks the song of Peace on earth, goodwill to men”

But I am telling you – Peace on earth, goodwill to men – is THE central message of Christmas.  It is THE declaration of the angels in the heavenlies, and it IS what God the Father wants to the people of this whole earth to KNOW

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”  Luke 2

Christ IS in Christmas, right this minute like He always has been and like never before.  Family of God – He is Emmanual, Christ in us and with us.  May He work through us to declare the heavenly blessing to a hurting world.  I am so sad that it takes a mammoth tragedy for us to understand just how much hurt and hopelessness is in the earth.  But WE have the Eternal to offer.  It is all around us.  Let us be like Him.  Let us give Him glory.

Jesus, You are the Light of the world.   Your birth brought hope.  Your death and resurrection gave us Life.  We choose life today.  We choose to act like You, talk like You, walk like You and represent You to a lost and dying world.  We will declare Your words, and Your will to a broken, hurting people, in Your blessed and holy Name.

“Then pealed the bells more loud and deep,

God is. not. dead. nor does He sleep

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With PEACE on earth, good-will to men.”

AMEN.  So be it.

 

2 thoughts on “We celebrate and we cry

  1. Thanks Jeanie. So much pain abounds. My heart is in mourning and I have personally disowned this world. I know it is God’s creation. There is still evidence of the glory of God here, and yes I too desire to be Jesus to this hurting world. However, I am detaching from this world. I just simply want to do His will, Be His hands and feet, accomplish His will for my life, and then I wanna go home. The pain is just too much. I have to keep having these horrific conversations with my girls, trying to ease their fears. Yet at least I HAVE my girls. Oh God, please help us work our way through this. Please turn hearts toward you, and help us to be the light in this dark place.

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