“Oh, Holy Night”
[Verse 1]
O Holy night!The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appears and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night, O Holy night, O night divine!
[Verse 2]
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the Wise Men from Orient land
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend
[Verse 3]
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is Peace
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother
And in His name, all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us Praise His Holy name
Christ is the Lord; O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim
His power and glory evermore proclaim
Dear God, I heard someone ask yesterday what our favorite Christian Christmas song is (as opposed to secular), and I don’t know that this one is my favorite, but it’s what came to mind first. But I have to admit I don’t think I’ve ever paid that close to the lyrics beyond the first verse. But there is one line in there that always stands out to me: “The soul felt its worth.”
I guess that Jesus’s coming tells me everything I need to know about my worth to you. I read a nice editorial by a pastor who talked about the reciprocal nature of Christmas gift giving. As adults, we feel the need to exchange commensurate gifts. But children feel no such need for reciprocity when they receive a gift. I asked my seven-year-old I’m mentoring yesterday what he got his mother for Christmas and he told me he drew her a picture of a dog. So sweet, but the idea that he could even come close to his mother’s gift-giving capacity–regardless of how wealthy she is or isn’t–is ridiculous. The five-year-old who gets a bike for Christmas could never repay their parent. Christmas gifts are a one-way street.
As the pastor pointed out, the same is true with us. There is no way we can ever match you in gift-giving capacity. The only thing we can do is try to match sacrifice. You sacrificed everything for us. You gave us something we can never repay. What can I do, but accept your love, accept your gift, and then try as I might to return your love, much like a child might try to express love to a parent.
Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, you have shown me my soul’s worth to you. Thank you. Help me to be part of showing others what their souls are worth as well. Help me to be your ambassador into the world. You are my king. You are my father. You are my counselor. You are my comforter. You are my advocate. You are my savior. To you be all glory now and forever.
I pray all of this under your name and autority,
Amen
Emails to God 