Let The Bells Ring

 Merry Christmas one and all!  

I can't help but think of the timeliness of this song ("I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" by Casting Crowns), even though Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the words over 150 years ago.  Our country was divided - one ideology versus another.  His family suffered from brokenness, life changing injury and death without warning. Sounds eerily familiar doesn't it?


We all struggle, at one time or another, with doubt and despair.  We wonder if hate is overpowering love, if everything good and decent has been wiped out.  Yet through it all, there remains a trace of optimism, a yearning for inspiration.



In the midst of his personal tragedies and in a country literally at war with itself, Longfellow reminds us that Christmas does bring the promise of Peace on earth, good will to all. There is more than hope - there is a living God and a newborn Savior. That's certainly some news worth ringing bells over.

Peace, 
Mark

An Old Dog Tries a New Trick

"Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel" is, for me at least, the Advent Hymn for the ages.  It speaks to the promise of the season, the greatness that is coming.  Is it any wonder that so many Christmas Eve services and Advent seasons open with this powerful tune? 

Christmas seems to catch me a bit unprepared most years.  Yes, I know - it comes at the same time each and every every year accompanied with lots of advance "warning".  Nonetheless, my preparation gets packed into the last week.  More often than not, I am shopping for gifts on Christmas Eve.  No wonder I get so stressed?!?

So this year I'm getting started earlier.  Advent is after all, about preparation, not procrastination.  I believe that in the end, the season will be more enjoyable and more fulfilling this way.  Couldn't we all benefit from making time to focus on the joy and promise of Christmas?  Peace.