I’ve heard it at least a hundred times over the years. The popular Christmas tune is pumped through radios and sung by church choirs with harmonic tunes. It’s so easy to jump in, sing along, and hold your candle high during the seasonal church service. Yet this time, something happened. My usual sing-a-long nature did not cut it. I read “O Holy Night” on the screen, while the Holy Spirit revealed the weight of the lyrics to my heart, and my tears welled up in my eyes.
How has it taken so long for me to understand the beauty and truth behind these words?
“O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth”
Imagine the stillness of that night. It may have seemed like a typical night, just like all the others. People all across the nation going about their evening while the stars glittered across the sky. Little did they know that, “today in the town of David a Savior has been born” and “he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) The birth that changed the course of history–of our souls–occurred in the peaceful, humble nature of a stable. God appearing in human form, as Jesus, gives us an up close and personal opportunity to interact with the Lord. This moment is the extraordinary bursting through the ordinary.
“Long lay the world, in sin and error pining,
‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth”
The nature of “pining” is heart-wrenching; a deep suffering due to the longing of someone’s return. The world constantly cries to be saved. Both then and now, we seek purpose, significance, and meaning. We seek to be loved and worthy. We find fleeting ways to fill that deep longing, only to find our quick-fixes have solved nothing and left us searching again. The endless cycle leaves us empty, until, Jesus Christ. Through the birth of Christ, the world was given hope, and through His death and resurrection, the world was given eternal life. Our souls have their value and worth secure in Him.
“A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices;
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn”
Following their first moments with the Savior, “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” (Luke 2:20) Their first response to Jesus was praise and adoration. Picture the smiles, songs, and gladness they shared in together as they had just interacted with the presence of the Most High. Personally, I have this tendency to well-up in tears if I’m “at a 9 or 10” on the happiness scale. I envision the shepherds much the same, struggling to walk because they keep dropping to their knees to thank God, and probably looking absolutely undignified on their return home because of the incredible joy they experienced.
How often do I rejoice in the same manner, with true reckless abandon, over the love of Christ?
“Fall on your knees, oh hear the angels voices;
Oh night divine, oh night when Christ was born”
Do not let the truths of these words pass you by. Take time to intentionally listen to what the Holy Spirit has to reveal to you through the praises you sing this Christmas. This story of the birth of Christ is not just a story. It is God’s way of extending His hands to us and inviting us in a deep, everlasting relationship with Him through His Son. Our souls finally have hope and an unconditional love that cannot be broken.
“for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” — Romans 10:13
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” — Luke 2:14
Dearest Family & Friends,
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! My prayer for you all is that despite the presents, hustle-and-bustle, decorations, and ugly sweaters (all good and fun things!) that you do not lose sight of the incredible, most sacred gift given to us by our Father– His one and only Son. Take time this Christmas, and every day as a matter of fact, to quiet your hearts and listen to what the Holy Spirit wishes to reveal to you. You’ve heard this story in Luke for many years, but maybe this is the year something new is shown and your weary soul can continue to rejoice in the hope of our Savior! I send you my hugs and my love from the Philippines! I cannot thank you enough for your support and prayers while the Lord takes me on this journey. It is so evident that this is where He had asked me to be for this time, and I appreciate the ways in which you have blessed me to continue in that. I love you all with my whole heart. // Victoria <3
