All My Heart This Night Rejoices

All my heart this night rejoices 

as I hear far and near sweetest angel voices.

"Christ is born," their choirs are singing 

till the air everywhere now with joy is ringing.

Forth today the Conqu'ror goeth, who the foe, sin and woe, 

death and hell, o'erthroweth.

God is man, man to deliver, 

his dear Son now is one with our blood forever.

I woke up this morning to snow.  Not a lot but just enough to make the ground white.  Seems so still and quiet until I hear our dogs bark outside at something they think shouldn't be there.  When we first moved here the barking was a bit annoying until I realized that they really do keep the critters at bay.  No more deer in the yard which is good come summer time when the garden is in full swing.  

I also woke up to the Christmas lights coming on.  Dan has put lights on the house with a timer so they come on early in the morning before it gets light out and then in the evening when it gets dark again.  The Christmas tree does the same so it is nice and cosy getting up.  I've done some decorating and made some cookies.  There has been some sewing and I'm currently knitting wool socks for my special someone.

Shall we still dread God's displeasure, who, to save,
 freely gave his most cherished Treasure?
To redeem us, he hath given his own Son 
from the throne of his might in heaven.
He becomes the Lamb that taketh sin away 
and for aye full atonement taketh.
For our life his own he tenders; and our race,
 by his grace, meet for glory renders.

This is always a good time of year to reminisce and reflect.  If you are as old as I am (I tell the grandkids that I'm as old as dirt!) you may also have had many years of Christmas gatherings, always with too much food.  There is laughter, tears of joy and, of course, the yearly wrapping paper wars.  Christmas has changed for us over the years as all our children are grown with families of their own.  Now, trying to get together is like herding cats.  So we catch it when we can and are grateful for even more memories given.  So far this year (starting at Thanksgiving) our youngest daughter, Lydia, her husband, Lance and their baby Franklin have come to our place in central Oregon.  The following weekend we had our oldest daughter Sarah with her husband Kevin and their whole tribe (12 in all) come.  More laughter and more food.  And, of course, the grandkids wanted to watch Home Alone 2 mainly to see their grandma laughing so hard that she cries.  How they find this hilarious is somewhat embarrassing.  This coming weekend Hannah's family will be in town for another family get together.  Hannah's husband, Jonathan always comes up with something different in the food department which makes everyone happy indeed!  Dan and I might be doing some traveling after Christmas to extend the holidays by seeing more kids and grandkids.  Really the date isn't as important to us for celebrating.  It's always being with those you love.  

Hark! a voice from yonder manger, soft and sweet, doth entreat; 
"Flee from woe and danger.
Brethren, from all ills that grieve you, 
you are freed; all you need I will surely give you."
Come, then, banish all your sadness, one and all, great and small; 
some with songs of gladness.
Love him who with love is glowing; 
hail the star, near and far light and joy bestowing.

Christmas Eve we will be taking Dan's folks (they live on our property) and we will be meeting up with Hannah, Jonathan and whoever to go to church for an early Christmas Eve service.  I have so many fond memories of the services on Christmas Eve.  So long ago we would dress up fancy and go as a family to hear about Christ's birth and sing Christmas carols.  Growing up in the Lutheran church I didn't really understand the significance of the moment but I knew that there were presents at home waiting for me.  Now the presents, still fun for sure, have lost the glitter in light of the story of Christ's humble birth.  He is the greatest treasure and  gift to mankind.  

Yes, reminiscing can bring so much joy to us.  But I wouldn't be of this earth if I didn't recognize that the sad things in life are most hard around holidays.  I don't know of anyone who hasn't experienced some sorrow, loss or hardship.  This season we know of some facing sickness, loss of a beloved family member and broken relationships.  There is, I'm sure, more to this list of sadness and that is why the story of God becoming man for us is so crucial.  

Dearest Lord, thee will I cherish. 

Though my breath fail in death, yet I shall not perish,

but with thee abide forever 

there on high, in that joy which can vanish never.

Dan and I do wish you a Merry Christmas.  We hope that you find the joy of Christ the Savior to be a radiant fire that touches everything for you.  

         

Run The Race

"Do you not know 

that in a race all the runners run,

but only one receives the prize?

So run that you may obtain it."

I Corinthians 9:24

". . . and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,"

Hebrews 12:1b

    Kareling eyes were dripping with tears.  The horse that she had climbed upon was running so fast that the wind stung her eyes making them water.  But the truth of it was that she had just witnessed her beloved grandfather and grandmother succumb to the machinations of the enemy.  Her home of so many years was going up in flames and she was fleeing for her life.  The young girl had no answers and nothing to go back to.  What was once a beautiful day of singing and worship the day before had turned into a nightmare in the morning.  No songs were coming to her mind as was her custom at any given moment of the day.  Just a deep anguishing sob that was rising in her chest ready to spill out soon.  

Her grandpapa had told to her ride as fast as she could to the castle.  Kareling wasn't even sure if the horse she was riding was going in the right direction.  Things had happened so fast as soon as she had climbed up upon that beautiful animal.  So, here she was, riding faster that she had ever gone before trusting that the horse would bring her to safety.

Where she was going was the least of her worries.  Kareling had taken a moment to look back at her home on fire only to see a small band of enemy see her flee.  She had no doubt that they would follow and try to over take her.  In and out of the trees, back and forth she rode hoping to throw them off her track.  Every time she thought she heard something her ride would seemingly put in more and her speed would increase.   Had she just been in on one of her riding lessons this ride would be thrilling/terrifying to say the least.  But in this moment she could only be glad that her horse was fast and sensed danger too.

The chase went for some time.  Kareling's fingers were going numb from holding on so tight to the mane of the horse.  She was starting to realize and fear that her strength was waining.  "Hold on, don't let go" she reminded herself.  Her legs were cramping now from the sheer pressure that she was using them to cling to the horse.  She couldn't give in to her body weakening.  And then just as she thought it was over she heard music.  Kareling wondered if she was loosing her mind because it wasn't coming from her.  No, the music was coming from up ahead of her.  A gentle wooing that seemed to ease her burden.

"Afflicted saint, to Christ draw near, Your Savior's gracious promise hear,

His faithful Word, you can believe, that as your days your strength shall be.

So, sing with joy, afflicted one; 

the battle's fierce, but the victory's won;

God shall supply all that you need.  

Yes, as your days your strength shall be.

Your faith is weak, your foes are strong, and if the conflict should be long.

the Lord will make the tempter flee, that as your days your strength shall be.

So, sing with joy, afflicted one;

the battle's fierce, but the victory's won;

God shall supply all that you need.

Yes, as your days your strength shall be.

Should persecution rage and flame, still trust in your Redeemer's name; 

in fiery trials you shall see, that as your days your strength shall be.

So, sing with joy, afflicted one;

the battle's fierce, but the victory's won;

God shall supply all that you need.

Yes, as your days your strength shall be.

When called to bear your weighty cross, or sore affliction, pain, or loss,

or deep distress or poverty, still as your days your strength shall be.

So, sing with joy, afflicted one;

the battle's fierce, but the victory's won;

God shall supply all that you need.

Yes, as your days your strength shall be."

Sweet, sweet music seeped into Kareling's soul.  She forgot about her numb fingers and the cramping in her legs.  All she wanted now was to go to the music, hear more of the music and be part of the music.  No longer was she afraid of what was behind her that would try to take her life.  She looked forward, striving with her horse toward a better goal.  One with hope and comfort that would ease her troubled heart.

It wasn't surprising then, when coming out of the trees, that the castle was before them.  Large and magnificent it was.  Those on the castle walls could see Kareling from a far off racing towards them.  The gates were opened and troops ran to meet her ushering  her into the safety of the Kingdom.  

It was then Kareling could let go of her ride with a huge hug and fall into the arms of the healers.

*The idea of endurance often reflects the idea of pulling oneself up by their own bootstraps.  Whereas it is a good thing to be strong and healthy there are times in our lives when we are not. And the truth of it is this ~ we are frail human beings.  We need a Savior.  With Him we are strong and only with Him.