As I lay here typing, my sweet brother Jonathan is sound asleep in the bed next to me, my grandparents have retired for the night, and my parents are busy wrapping the last few presents from Santa :) Christmas is such a great holiday, a time for me to see and spend time with my family and to celebrate my Savior's birth, and, not to mention, a time for gifts! I know that might sound shallow, but the gifts that are coming to mind are not the ordinary "under the tree" gifts.
I have been given the gift of being a daughter to two phenomenal parents, the gift of being a sister to a precious brother, the gift of being a friend to multiple God fearing men and women, the gift of good health and mind, (there are many more gifts and blessings I could list), but most importantly, I have been given the gift of a Savior, Jesus Christ, Immanuel- God with us, the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, the Son of God, my Father, who has bestowed on me, who has picked me out and given to me, the miraculous gift of salvation. There is nothing in this world that compares to the gift that God gave to me, and to you, so many years ago. The birth of Jesus Christ is something so wonderful and so awesome; it's an event that easily brings a smile to my face, a peace to my soul, a truth to my doubt, a strength to my weakness, a humility to my pride, and an attitude of praise and worship that resonates throughout my entire being!! And Christmas is not the only time I reflect on the gift of Jesus Christ, but this gift is one to be remembered all throughout the year, throughout the ages :) But, I am grateful for this day where the world is called to remember and celebrate the birth of our risen Lord.
There are so many things I would like to say, and give thanks for, and praise God for (thank goodness He knows my heart and my thoughts), sometimes I am simply unable to produce the words. So I will borrow the words of someone else.....
This night is the long night
when those who listens awaits His Cry.
This night is the eve of the great nativity
when those who are longing await His presence.
Wait, with watchful heart.
Listen carefully, through the stillness;
listen, hear the telling of the waves upon the shore.
Listen, here the song of the angels glorious-
e're long it will be heard,
that His foot has reached the earth:
news- the the glory is come!
Truly His salvation is near,
for those who fear Him,
and His glory shall dwell in our land.
Watch and pray, the Lord shall come.
Those who are longing await His appearing.
Those who listen await His cry.
Watch....
Wait....
Listen....
[This night is the long night.]
This night is born Jesus,
Son of the King of glory.
This night is born to us
the root of our joy.
This night gleamed sea and shore
together.
This night was born Christ,
the King of greatness.
Though Laid in a manger,
He came from a throne:
on earth though a stranger,
in heaven He was known.
How lowly, how gracious
His coming to earth!
His love my love kindles
to joy in His birth.
Sweet Jesus, King of glory!
Now You sleep in a manger, in a stable poor and cold;
But for us You are the highest King, making our hearts into Your palace.
All Hail! let there be joy!!
Hail to the King, hail to the King,
Blessed is He, blessed is He.
The peace of the earth to Him;
the joy of heaven to Him.
The homage of a King is His,
King of all victory;
the welcome of a lamb be His,
Lamb of all glory:
the Son of glory down from high.
All hail, let there be joy!
Deep in the night
the voice of waves on the shore
announced to us: Christ is born!
Son of the King of kings
from the land of salvation,
the mountains glowed to Him,
the plains glowed to Him,
then shone the sun on the mountains high to Him.
All hail, let there be joy!
God the Lord has opened a Door.
Christ of hope, Door of joy!
Song of Mary, hasten thou to help me;
In me, Lord Christ, let there be joy.
Merry Christmas everyone. Joy to the Lord. Enjoy His gift!
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