What is so unique about Christmas?
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
(Hark! The Herald Angels Sing)
I have wondered why the Christmas season is so incredibly optimistic. Why is there peace? Why are there proclamations of joy? Why is it that people try to be nicer and fairer?
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
(O Holy Night)
What is this underlying optimism in a world full of murder, hatred, vile and lies? It comes from an earth-shattering event. The birth of a young boy in Bethlehem. With the world in dire chains and affliction by evil, there was a glimmer of hope. The Word became flesh, and He dwelt among us. He came here to free the world from sorrow.
Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love’s pure light;
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
(Silent Night)
With His birth, He broke into this world. Several decades would pass, and He would crush death. The sting of death is no longer, for Christ, our Lord, conquered. Upon His life, upon that Rock, millions have found strength. Sorrow has not been totally eradicated. Affliction shall one day cease. He shall cleanse the perverse world and shield His Beloved; He shall gather the saints together.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
(Joy to the World)
I pray with all of the saints throughout the ages. I pray with those in safety and those in terror, Lord come quickly. Loosen us from pain, and lead us unto true shelter.
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
(O Come, O Come, Emmanuel)
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