“Yea, Lord we greet thee, born this happy morning…”
Those were the familiar words that greeted me as I headed out on my morning run. The air was crisp, the sun brilliant–a fitting backdrop for Chris Tomlin’s rendition of “O Come All Ye Faithful” from his newest release, Glory in the Highest. I spent the next hour cycling through the entire CD with a few repeats along the way (have I mentioned to you that I am the slowest runner in the free world?).
Over and over again, I kept hearing the words “born this happy morning…” and then another phrase–one that surfaced from the deepest well within me reserved for the Divine.
Born again in me this morning, born again in me this morning.
It was all I could do to stay upright rather than falling prostrate on the pavement in grateful thanks for the truth that Jesus Christ is born again in me this morning. He’s born again in you as well. If your eyes opened to the grace of a new day (and I imagine that to be the case if you’re reading this), then Jesus Christ should be as fresh and as new to you this day as he was in those first moments when you knew him as Lord, Savior, Messiah, Emmanuel, Prince of Peace, King of your heart.
His mangered arrival isn’t an isolated event–set in stone some 2000 years ago as a specific date in time to mark his entrance into this world. His arrival is today, just as real and as potent as it was on a starry night in Bethlehem. The Christ-child that was held in his mother’s arms intends for us to hold him in ours. To pick him up in his humanness… his Godness and to cradle him close to our hearts. To feel the gentle whispers of his tender breath upon our cheeks and to embrace the penetrating grace radiating from his glance.
When we get that, when we realize that Bethlehem is as much a part of our story as Calvary is, then we are given the grand and glorious invitation to come and to adore him. If we are amongst the faithful, then we should come each day to the manger, to the cross, to the tomb, and then to our worship. It’s our story to live. It’s our mantle to wear. It’s our privilege to tell.
Everyday, born again and afresh in us each morning. May today be a day that begins with a Bethlehem pause and that finishes with the same. Our Savior is so worthy of our notice. As always…
peace for the journey.
~elaine
PS: I want to mention a couple of great things going on in blog land this week.
1. Exemplify is hosting a Christmas spectacular in the month of December. Click here to check out all the details and the current giveaway of Casting Crowns’ Christmas CD.
2. My new blogging friend, Jackie at Fresh Oil Today, is hosting a Christmas giveaway at her blog. Check it out and sign up to win.
3. Thanks to all of you who endured my Black Friday video and found the hidden clue within regarding the giveaway. Those of you who left a comment along those lines were qualified for a name drawing to win Chris Tomlin’s CD “Glory in the Highest” and Sarah Young’s “Jesus Calling”. The winners are…
Chris Tomlin CD – Cheryl B. from Cheryl’s R&R
Jesus Calling – Donna from Donna’s Booknook.
Congratulations ladies; please e-mail me your addresses, and I’ll get these to you this week!
Elaine how perfect! Born fresh and new in us EACH and EVERY morning!
The power in HIS NAME! To proclaim it loudly every day!
This was a perfect Tuesday post for me this morning!
Love you friend!
What a great way to start the day…"Yea, Lord we greet thee, born this happy morning…"!
Praise God, He is born again in me!
Thanks, Elaine, for reminding me to take that "Bethlehem pause" in my day. I needed the reminder.
Thanks for the info about the giveaways. Guess what? I'm having a giveaway, too! Hop over to my blog and check it out.
Love,
Beth
This is such an uplifting message. Thank you once again for sharing your heart.
wifeforthejourney:
As we continue our march through December, with retailers trumpeting the Christmas countdown, may we all make Christ welcome in our hearts.
Thanks be to God for the Advent Season, and each day God allows for us to turn to Him and spread the Good News.
love you!
Billy
Amen! What a wonderful way to start the day and every day for that matter! He is so worthy!!
Blessings to you this day!
Jennifer
My day did begin with a Bethlehem pause. It was our Christmas celebration at Bible study this morning. The sights, sound, singing, speaker all directed my focus to the manger. Must have been over 200 women in attendance. Praying that some ladies unwrapped Christ's presence for the first time.
Our soloist sang that very hymn this morning. "O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel."
His,
Joy
Amen Elaine! What wonderful thoughts today! Truly refreshing during this Christmas season!
Marilyn
Beautiful thoughts. I am going to have to get the cd…everyone has given such glowing recommendations of it. That song sounds beautiful.
Wonderful Elaine!
I was gazing at the starry night last night and imagining the night sky filled with the heavenly hosts proclaiming His birth………and yes as I stood there it seemed new and fresh…..His Birth brought me new birth……Oh, how wonderful to take a Bethlehem pause not just during Christmas season but through every season of our lives! Glory to God in the Highest!!
Merry Christmas and Sweet Blessings!
Jackie
It sounds like your day started off wonderfully:) thank you for the great message again! I love some of the pictures you used on your blog– it feels like Christmas already!
Born again. AMEN!!! Settling the matter of authority each & every day! Have a blessed one…
Wylie
What wonderful thoughts about such a wonderful song!! I think that's the most perfect way to start each day!! 🙂
This was all so very good…I especially liked how you worded this part…"It's our story to live. It's our mantle to wear. It's our privilege to tell."
Elaine, your words are always so beautiful. How do you do it?
Born this happy morning.
Indeed.
Thank you for this reminder. This is exactly what Christmas is about, and this is what we need to hear.
BTW, you and I could go running together…guaranteed! I love it, though. Blessings.
I like this. I like the idea that every day is a new birth…a fresh start.
Oh Elaine, I'm so excited to win the Chris Tomlin cd — thanks! But I'm even more excited that He is born in me again each morning! What a wonderful truth!
Elaine–I thought I posted a comment, but it apparently didn't get completed.(So this may be a repeat) Thank you so much for Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling"; I almost never win anything so I was very excited. Thank you for sharing your treasures and for those timely thoughts about our amazing Lord. Donna
How great is HE! Amen Elaine!
You are such a blessing.
Each new day bring new vision and new grace to cover the sin and inspire the spirit to live in HIM..
Have a blessed December..
What a beautiful reminder today. Yes, indeed it is a new morning and I am grateful for the reminder that mistakes and heartache from yesterday are washed away and made fresh today.
It snowed this morning here (an unusual sight) and my first thought was how beautiful God's gift of purity was.
Blessings to you today!
Lindsey
"Born again in me this morning" what an awesome way to remember the truth of the work of Christ in my life! To meditate on that just brings hope and encouragement to my heart in so many ways. Thanks for sharing your revelation of the day with us! It ministered to me so much!
Christy
It's always a treat – like opening the Advent calendar doors – when I drop by. I never know what tidbit you'll be serving, but I know I always leave a little better for having arrived.
We have long had kindred thoughts on morning. This is such a rich one!
Hugs,
Kathleen
For some reason, my computer was having it's own Black Friday and refused to let me see your video!! Whaaahh!!
Elaine, I loved this! You've hit the nail on the head,sweet fast runner that you are! I don't think of Bethlehem the same way as Calvary either! But, now? Yes m'am!! Thank you! And, I need to get me that CD!
Love you!
Susan
Elaine:
You always leave me thinking "Man, I wish I would have thought of that". 🙂 What an awesome thought to begin each new day.
Blessings,
Marita
Thank you for posting the links. I need something to get me in the Christmas spirit!
After reading your post "Word of the Father now in flesh appearing" is running through my mind.
There had to be a manger to give us a cross!
Tommorrow morning and every morning during this Advent and Christmas season I have been prompted (by the Spirit working in me through your post) to say the words Yeah Lord I greet thee… as arise from my slumber!
Jesus to thee be glory given!
Beautiful post. You are the 2nd person to mention CT's Christmas album. I might have to put it on my list! 🙂
And congrats to the winners. YAY CHERYL! YAYAY!
And yay Donna! Congratulations! (even though when I saw the name, I got a little excited for me…then realized it WASN'T me…) 🙂
Hugs,
Donna E.
Elaine,
First of all, I think I'm the world's slowest runner (when I ran). Now my knees are on the fritz so I walk briskly. Anyhoo, my husband just gave me the new Chris Tomlin Christmas CD and I can't wait to listen to it!!
Pausing to truly contemplate the babe in a manger is truly awe inspiring, isn't it. He did this for us. Remarkable!
I love when a phrase greets us, follows us, leads us.