Just 6 days ago I met with friends from church to enjoy time together, with suitable pre-Christmas ‘nibbles’ as an extra blessing! However, those delights had to wait a very long time because we had tuned in to a YouTube film of a worship time with a focus on the Christmas carol “O Holy Night”. It was quite an extraordinary experience as the Holy Spirit seemed to draw me into the truths and the challenge from that Christmas carol and into a deep sense of God impacting my life all over again.
Since that time, I seem to have an ongoing background soundtrack in my head, no matter what I am doing, whether shopping, sleeping, cooking, even in conversation …whatever, whenever and wherever. And I like it!
The refrain “Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices, O night divine, O night divine when Christ was born” plays over and over in my mind, in my heart, and I seem to experience the presence of God in such a powerful way.
O holy night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appeared 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 divine when Christ was born
O night divine
O night, O night divine
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.
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night divine when Christ was born
O night divine
O night, O night divine
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.
This experience has reminded me of other Christmas carols with lines, and phrases, that have struck a chord with me each time I have sung them over the years.
I have always loved “In the bleak midwinter” for the verse
“What can I give Him, poor as I am.
If I were a shepherd, I would give a lamb.
If I were a wise man I would do my part.
But what I can give Him – give Him my heart.”
During this Christmas season of preparation and decoration, of shopping for gifts and for food, and so many other distractions, my prayer is that you will be able to focus on the precious and profound gift of God to each one of us, Jesus Christ – Saviour and King. I am praying that our simple, and humble response will be to “fall down” in worship and give Him our hearts. As the words from ‘Joy to the world” read “let every heart prepare Him room”!
I wonder what playlist you have chosen to listen to and what ‘soundtrack’ might be playing in your mind! In any event, I am praying you will be tuned in to God’s love for you and that you will be blessed with His peace and presence.
Happy Christmas to all!
Jane
