Sue O’Donnell. Christmas Eve 24.12.20
“Now this is the name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” (Jeremiah 23 v 6)
Starlight bright, silent night,
A most wondrous, holy night!
The world held its breath,
Still in awed expectation,
Hope and desire of every nation,
Will the Messiah,
Long predicted, long promised,
Will He tonight, come amongst us?
We watch, we wait, we anticipate.
God alone knows the date.
Although Mary in her expectancy,
Has an idea of the pending Nativity.
What did she feel?
What did Mary think?
Did she know this joy to the world
To be her Child, her faith the link?
She had trusted in what the angel told,
With love his message she did enfold.
Trustingly, she protected
What God had promised and given
The Son of Mary, Child of heaven,
True love which comes to us from heaven.
The Baby born, such delight,
Thank God for this most blessed, holy night.
God’s love, this miracle is historical.
“Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadow put to flight.”
(“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”)
The vastness of this mystery so astonishing,
Does in no way negate the history.
This blessing of God is wondrous indeed,
It was a Saviour the world did sorely need and still does!
Do not be afraid, God made a promise.
That is why He sends Christ Jesus to us, with purpose.
Mary amazed, praised, trusted, believed.
Through her faith the world received, thank God!
The divine goodness graciously given, would be
To accompany His faithful home to heaven.
The presence of the blessed Holy Trinity
Is truly hope, peace and joy for you, for me.
Called by Jesus to share in true love,
This most wondrous blessing from above.
This blessing of God, the God of such love.
“We have left behind the deceptiveness of the world and have taken hold of the sure and certain hope of what lies ahead, and this should cause us to be greatly encouraged.” (Hebrews 6 V 19 The Truth)
“This hope of what awaits us in the future is a firm anchor for our souls. This truth keeps us secure and means that we have access directly into the Holy of holies, God’s very presence.” (Hebrews 6 v 20 The Truth)
“If anyone truly believes that Jesus is God’s Son, God truly lives in him (her) and (s)he lives in God.
In fact we can be sure of this, that we are able to depend completely on the love that God has for us.
God is love.” (1 John 4 v 15, 16 The Truth)
And it is Christmas, the time to rejoice in this true love. Dearest Father, thank You so much for the faith of Mary, carrying the Child born to us by the Holy Spirit on this most wondrous, holy night.
Your loving plan for our salvation is under way. What the world needs now is us to respond. We must name Him ‘Jesus’, Your love and grace come to save us from all we get wrong, blocking our way home to heaven.
“For God Himself is at work within You so that you want to do what is good in His eyes” (Philippians 2 v 13 The Truth) we are told. May this be so. I ask for an increase in faith, awe aroused by the wonders of all that has happened, this blessing born to us in our Saviour, Christ Jesus.
May a greater faith be born in us, for we can be confident in Your steadfast loving kindness, faithfulness and ever beneficial providence. No longer need we doubt nor fear. Thank You for blessing us so incredibly at Christmas, THE LORD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS born amongst us. “ ‘Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, the LORD will do wonders among you’.” (Joshua 3 v 5) Amen.
Images by Artist Christine Garwood
http://www.christinegarwoodartist.co.uk/
Season
CHRISTMAS
Key Themes
LIFE
BLESSINGS
