Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21).

It’s the music that’s captured my attention this Christmas. Old songs; new songs; new renditions of old songs. Perhaps more than any other Advent season I’ve experienced, this one was meant for music. It has paused me more than once and brought about the teary reflection of my heart.

Music has caught my attention. In particular, one verse from one familiar carol.

For lo, the days are hastening on,
By prophet bards foretold;
When with the ever circling years,
Comes round the age of gold.
When peace shall over all the earth,
Its ancient splendors fling;
And the whole world give back the song…
Which now the angels sing.

The carol?

“It Came upon the Midnight Clear” written by Edmund Sears in 1858—a time in history when our country stood on the brink of civil war… civil unrest. A season when a great chasm existed between two public opinions with very little wiggle room in between. A season not unlike the one we’re living in currently.

Perhaps more than ever before, we need the witness of Mr. Sears’ “pen” as reflected in this song, especially this verse. He writes about a time fast approaching, a time spoken and written about by the prophetic poets of long ago. An up and coming age of gold when peace—an ancient peace—will unleash its fullness upon the earth so that the only response of its recipients can be…

Glory to God in the highest! Peace, now finally and forever, on earth. Very good and kindly intention toward all of God’s created—men, women, children, stranger, friend, sinner and saint alike.

Peace. Perfect peace. Found only in the Author of peace—Jesus Christ. And while we know a measure of his strength today, there is coming a day when Peace will reside over all the earth in finality. A “season” when the sky will split and Peace will descend upon his created to reign without objection. A forever filled with humbled hearts and submitted knees to the One who submitted his will to the will of his Father and entered into a fragile and needful humanity.

Without Christ’s entrance into our world, we’d have no exit into his. Read that again, and receive the depth of this truth.

The Gift and Peace of Christmas secures the future—the Golden Age where everything “ancient” births in its fullness to fling an everlasting “peace” back to its Creator in chorused thanks. How my heart and flesh long for the day when I give back to God and all of heaven the “greeting” they gave to me… to the world via a cloven sky some 2000 years ago. When I can say to him with all certainty…

Peace on earth.

Peace forever.

Peace for the journey.

The Golden Age is fast approaching, friends. Soon the wait will be over, and we’ll hold the witness of its entirety. Maybe today. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe as we gather at the manger in collective remembrance come Christmas morning. Would your heart, along with mine, be willing to take a few minutes on Christmas Day to give back to God the greeting he gave us at Bethlehem’s pause?

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.

His favor rests with you.

Merry Christmas, friends. May the peace of Christ rule in your hearts this week. I’ll see you on the other side of Bethlehem.

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38 Responses to Merry Christmas

  1. Merry Christmas. May the joy and peace of Christ fill your family's heart and keep you in his loving hands.

  2. First of all, I LOVE the photo. Your Christmas Card is equally precious!

    Secondly, I got/get goosebumps whenever the subject of His return is brought up. It's the theme that stirs my heart and brings new tears – tears of joy, tears of hope, tears of faith long awaiting a true & immeasurable fulfillment. Just last night, sometime during my wakefulness near midnight, I found myself praying: come quickly, Lord. I slept with a lump in my throat, and joy in my heart.

    I'll see you on the other side of Bethlehem too, friend. But more important, I'll see you forever in that new land where righteousness dwells, and Immanuel is at last the enthroned King on earth.

    Merry Christmas,
    Kathleen

  3. Very Merry Christmas to you too Mrs. Elaine!:) That is truth that without His entrance into this world, we would have no exit into His. And He is everything to us:)

    Praise HIM!

    Love in HIM, Blessings, ((HUGS)),

    katiegfromtennessee

  4. Elaine:

    To say you have a gift with words is such an understatement! I don't know how any child of God could read this posting and not have tears… tears of joy that the reality of heaven awaits us… tears for the future and the hope… because of Jesus!

    Merry Christmas to you and your family. What a wonderful page to read as I'm hustling around like everyone else today… to just pause and…. be thankful!

    Blessings and hugs!

    Sonja

  5. Merry Christmas to you too Elaine! Love the picture of your beautiful family! I've thought of you often this Christmas season. Most every time I see the word "Peace" I think of my friend Elaine at Peace for the Journey. Thank you so much for allowing me to walk along beside you on your journey for a bit!

    May many Christmas blessings come your way!

    Marilyn…in Mississippi

  6. …and peace to you, dear one…not as the world gives…Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.

  7. Merry Christmas Elaine. What a beautiful sentiment you have posted here.

    Love you – Beth

  8. I want you to know I thought of you as we camped out for the night again in Rocky Mt but it was a looong day through the snow and traffic and we arrived late, dropped in bed and got up at 5am for the second day home.
    Praying your Christmas is a perfect one!

  9. Thank you, precious friend, for your wonderful post about Daddy and Mama. His sevice was beautiful and a true celebration of his life. I am so blessed to have friends like you and the others in bloggyland! God is so good. I hope that y'all have a wonderful Christmas!

    I love you!!
    Susan

  10. Beautiful. Merry Christmas, Elaine! Praying your holiday and the days following will be filled with HIS perfect peace.

    Hugs for you, Billy, and the kids…
    Beth

  11. Merry Christmas to you Elaine!!

    What a joy it has been to walk along side of you as you journey on.

    Thanks for all the many wonderful posts this past year. My life has been so enriched because of them.

    …"Without Christ’s entrance into our world, we’d have no exit into his."

    I will continue to mediatate on that one!

    Blessings to you and your family~

  12. What a wonderful picture of your family. Thank you for including that.

    Music has meant a lot to me as well this season. Once again you have beautifully spoken what my heart has felt.

    Blessings and peace from the Prince of Peace. Donna

  13. Merry Christmas Elaine. Keep warm and enjoy your time with your family and friends. In His peace, Gladwell

  14. Merry Christmas dear friend! May you and your family enjoy peace and love with lots of laughter as you celebrate Christ's birth tomorrow!

    Debbie

  15. Beautiful words! How I thank God for his peace and the Prince of Peace! And, I am ready for that Day!!! Come, Lord Jesus!!!

    Merry Christmas, Elaine! I appreciate you, dear friend! You seem like my sister though we've never "met."

    May you and your family have the greatest, most blessed Christmas you've ever had!!!

    Love,

    Andrea

  16. Hey Elaine, I just wanted to stop by and wish you a Merry Christmas! Miss you and hope all is well…
    Love,

  17. I had the privilege of babysitting two of my boys [out of 8 grandkids] on Christmas eve for about 3 hours. As I was changing Malachi's diaper I laid him on the bed in the room where my computer was playing Handel's "Messiah" at that moment. The music was coming to a crescendo just as I finished and I stood Malachi up on the bed and I made his arms move like a conductor with the music. As the song built up his face began to done a smile the size of Texas as he grinned from ear to ear!

    His daddy [my son] was leading worship at his church that night in two services that had about 900 worshipers in attendance.

    Little did Jeff know that his son was practicing for his debut as the next generation worship leader!

    Oh – MUSIC has also been so special to me for the last several years but especially this Christmas. So many of the old hymns and carols are being done anew and they are still as fresh as the day they were written. The history behind all of them is amazing and always came out of great hardship or suffering!

    Let the music flow from our lives back to the Lord as we Worship Him in Spirit and in TRUTH!

    I woke up this morning singing:

    JOYFUL, JOYFUL,
    WE ADORE THEE…

    Merry Christmas to your precious family, Elaine!

    Love, Stephanie

  18. Hope you had a blessed Christmas, and I wish you and your beautiful family a happy New Year!

    Love,
    Debby

  19. What a beautiful and heartfelt post Elaine! You have such a way with words. Beautifully said. I long for that day when peace will finally be here; when Christ returns for us. In the meantime, I want to be about His Kingdom business and share the love of Jesus with my loved ones who don't know Him yet.

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

  20. hope your holidays bring sweet memories….I have missed reading my favorite blogs….

  21. Beautiful picture and beautiful post…I know what you mean about the songs this year…hope your Christmas was a glorious one!

  22. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and will enter the new year with hope and peace…and a wonderful Savior.

    From my heart,
    Sheryl

  23. wifeforthejourney:

    Charles H. Spurgeon once wrote that the "swaddling clothes" that the baby Jesus was wrapped in was the "white flag of peace, between God and man." What a marvelous promise, of "peace on earth, good will toward man!"

    May we all rest in the peace of God through this and the New Year.

    Love,
    Billy

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