Merry Christmas

“O Holy Night”

The perfect song for our year….

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine! 

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wise men from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend! 

Truly He taught us to love one another, 
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices...

   In a journey bringing despair, there has been thrilling hope. Our weary hearts still rejoice. 

In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,

God is our friend, faithful and kind.  He meets us, all of us, exactly where we are, knowing our need, our weakness.  His hand is gracious and in control, His plans are for our good.

Truly He taught us to love one another, 

The love we have received has been rich, comforting, healing, miraculous.  We have treasured each prayer, word of encouragement, and gift.  We love because God first loved us, God is love (1John 4:19, 4:8).  We have seen God abundantly, have been cared for and nurtured through your love.  

Thank you, well done. 

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts, we praise His holy name.

We praise God for the unfolding of this year.  These grateful songs rise up not out of the good of our own hearts, but out of God’s heart for us...to give His life as our ransom and a promise that this earthly life is not the end.  This brings joy and peace surpassing all understanding.  God is holy and perfect, our hearts full response is praise. 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future.”  

Jeremiah 29:11

We have clearly seen God’s plan for our good this year.  Even in cancer.  Even in suffering.  In even our daily life.  God has shown us hope, a future rich with His steadiness.  His plans we do not know, but there is not fear in that truth.  His plans, for our benefit! 

God knows in the trials of this life, it’s all so difficult to understand, but He is near to each of us, close to the brokenhearted.  He stores our tears in a jar and welcomes us, as we are, at his throne to find grace and mercy, help in time of need.  

Kneel at that throne & pour out your tears.  God cares about all our tossings...our big, cancer tossings & our smaller daily cares.  He cares for it all as our friend.

We pray you find thrilling hope this Christmas and your weary heart rejoices in all of God’s love for you.

Merry Christmas!

Anthony, Sam, Rourke, Lydia, Francesca, Zinnia & Esther