Hope Harbor

O holy night is a magbificent Christmas carol. It has a majestic melody and a profoundly significant message. It proclaims that the Divine became human. This baby was Deity robed in flesh. He came to bring hope to a weary world. (The lyrics are copied below) In the 2nd verse the songwriter describe those who came those who came to worship. The words of verse three describe the impact of His ministry and teaching. I address the first verse last because it is my favorite.  It clearly conveys the truth we need to grasp about the reason Jesus came to earth - to be our Savior. The essence of the Gospel can be summed up in these words: 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! Oh, hear the angel voices! My summary/paraphrase of this section is though we were languishing in sin, our hope is that God sent His Son...

Go Tell It On the Mountain is a jubilant African-American Spiritual song. It was written by John Wesley Work Jr. dating back to at least 1865. It is considered  a Christmas carol because it proclaims the Nativity of Jesus. I enjoy this song - not only because it has a lively melody, but also because it conveys a zeal and urgency to declare to EVERYONE the Good News that Jesus Christ has come. Below I've copied the lyrics that give details of the Christmas story. At the end of this post you will find a link so you may listen to a joyful children's choir singing Go Tell It On the Mountain. Go Tell It On the Mountain Lyrics Refrain Go, tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere Go, tell it on the mountain, That Jesus Christ is born. While shepherds kept their watching Over silent flocks by night Behold throughout the heavens There shone a holy light. Refrain The shepherds feared and trembled, When lo! above the earth, Rang out the angels chorus Th...

In a previous post I mentioned that all too often the message in Christmas carols is not recognized as we are caught up in singing the familiar melody. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen is one such song. Did you ever notice the pause after merry in many versions? Some copies of the lyrics actually have a comma inserted there. Many years ago I heard a dear Christian man discussing this Christmas carol. He explained that its true meaning is often missed by modern singers. He pointed out that the intent was an exhortation to remember that God can cause our hearts to have joy because Christ came. It is not a song meant only for men already merry. The song writer wanted to bring cheer to believers, reminding us that there is no need to worry or fear. We can truly find joy as we remember Jesus came to rescue us. He came to save us. Rest - To be free from whanever wearies or disturbs; to be quiet or still. [ Websters ] Ye - The plural of the pronoun of the second person in the nom...

Many of the songs popular at this time of year are cheery. They might have a catchy tune that stays lilting in our memories. We may find ourselves happily humming or singing old favorites like Jingle Bells or Winter Wonderland even though they do little to convey the true meaning of the season. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas is one such song. It's lovely melody and sentimental lyrics have been etched in my memory for many years. Recently after my household Christmas decorating had been completed, I was feeling festive and that classic song came to mind. As I sang it (Don't worry only my cat and dog were subjected to my less than talented voice), I realized that it did not really honor the birth of our Savior in a manner in which He deserves. I attempted to substitute words and phrases maintaining the poetic pattern but I am not a skilled song wrter so I was dissatisfied with my efforts but hoped God could smile at my feeble attempts. Then yesterday I learned that th...

As I consider the song Joy to the World, I am prompted to ponder what is the true source of joy. The lyrics of this majestic carol remind us that the humble arrival of our King should bring great joy. This hymn it is believed also declares Christ's triumphant second coming. Luke 2:9-11 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “ Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Following is an excerpt from Wikipedia: Joy to the World " is a popular Christmas carol . The words are by English hymn writer Isaac Watts , based on Psalm 98 in the Bible. The song was first published in 1719 in Watts' collection; The Psalms of David: Imitated in the language of the New Test...

I enjoy Christmas Carols. The words and music have a way of encouraging the heart and lifting the spirits. They can set the tone for celebrating the birth of our Savior. The lyrics typically convey a profound message of truth. I must confess, I did not always appreciate the lyrics of the popular songs of the season. For much of my life I didn't grasp their true meaning. It was only after my relationship with Jesus became more personal rather than merely religous (salvation) that I realized what truth Christmas Carols actually proclaim. One of my favorites is Hark The Herald Angels Sing. The verses of this song clearly convey the good news of the Gospel - purpose for Christ's coming. Luke 2 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “ Do n...

When I think of the Nativity story I am usually guilty of not seriously considering what actually took place with real ordinary people. Mary was a young girl, still a teenager it is believed, from a simple village. She was engaged to a local carpenter named Joseph. An angel appeared to her and told her that she would become pregnant (even though she never had intimate relations with a man), and give birth to a special baby. All mothers think there babies are sprcial, but this One would be the Son of God. The angel even instructed her as to what He must be named. It's amazing that, not only did Mary believe this proclamation, she willingly accepted the assignment. In that era, having a child before marriage was not a socially acceptable norm as it sadly is today. She likely faced scorn and ridicule from her neighbors. Can you imagine the bewilderment and hurt Mary's finance must have felt when his bride-to-be returned obviously expecting a baby after a lengthy visit with.her c...

Christmas is swiftly approaching. I know it is all too easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and feel stressed by the busyness of this season. There is much to do. There are gifts to purchase or to make, cookies to buy or to bake, in addition to countless other tasks to accomplish. I am grateful that dear friends helped me decorate again this year. I am very pleased that their talented artistic touches have made it festive in my home. This year I have a sense of anticipation. I want to not only get my house ready; I want to prepare my heart as well. It is good for us to always remember what God did for us in sending Jesus. At this time of year His birth for our redemption can come into clearer focus as we anticipate Christmas. I wonder if any of you have ideas to share regarding activities or traditions that help you get into the spirit of the true meaning of CHRISTMAS. Celebrations and Traditions by John and Kathy Stockman offers resources and activities to ...

"Blessed are the givers, thankful are the receivers" is an inscription I saw on a greeting card awhile ago. That message describes how I feel these days. If you read my previous post you are aware of the endeavor of my dear friend to raise funds for me so I may obtain equipment I need for safety and independence. I am deeply touched because people have been very kind and generous to give gifts which will greatly help to get the Surehands ceilong track lift system. I am pleased to report that I have almost one third of the sum required. While I am incredibly grateful for thoughtfulness of those who have contributed to my access project, I feel guilty when I think of the enormous struggles others face. Just today, for example, I watched a program on TV about the crisis of hunger in America explaining that multitudes of children and families lack sufficient food. This show also offerred suggestions of ways to assist those in need. Here is a link to  the challenge...

Sometimes we hope for things that can seem almost impossible. We often have goals that require a great deal of effort to achieve. Getting out of bed independently and safely into the shower are now such goals for me. Since I injured my leg last Spring I have needed assistance with more of my activities of daily living. Though, I've been disabled my whole life. I acquired new limitations since my accident and have had to adjust and adapt. Despite much effort and many sessions with a caring and competent physical therapist, the ability to transfer to and from my wheelchair without help continues to elude me. My beloved physician has recommended that I obtain a ceiling track lift system/ This assistive technology would minimize the risk of falling and give me more control over my daily routine. It could be a valuable aid to improve my function and make me more efficient. I tried out a device called a Surehands lift. It is an excellent product but it is very expensive. htt...

I find it amazing to see things grow. I am in awe of the wonder that tiny seeds can become beautiful flowers, vines can bear fruit, and mere saplings can flourish into sturdy trees. I have a dear friend who is gifted with many talents including gardening. She has been kind to spruce up my yard by planting flowers and even a couple of trees which will eventualy blossom and add beauty and shade to my outdoor space. This generous friend also provided a plant which we  hope will yield many delicious homegrown tomatoes. It has been my delight this summer to enjoy the lovely flowers and greenery. In addition to the splendor of the landscape designed by my generous and gifted friend, I have been in awe watching God's creation grow. I was so excited to see the first tomato take shape and then begin to ripen. When the first bud appeared on the tree I was thrilled, and utterly amazed when it quickly blossomed into a beautiful flower. My first homegrown tomato! The first bloom on my...

I enjoy a good conversation. I enjoy talking (sometimes, I fear, too much). Sharing stories, expressing my opinions and communicating how I feel is my idea of a good time. Recently, as I was struggling with intense emotions, I pondered how much I appreciate it when someone truly listens. It means so much to me when someone is willing to take the time to hear what I have to say – especially when they patiently listen even when I struggle to find the “right” words, or when what I do express is less than cheerful. As I reflected upon what a comfort it is to my soul to have a good listener available, a significant section in the book Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer came to mind. My heart was especially touched at the recollection of the precious phrase: “… (God) who is Himself the great listener.” This renowned theologian asserts in a segment of his writing which he labels the “Ministry of Listening” many valuable principles. Below you will find an excerpt from the book. I took ...

I was thinking about the significance of names recently as I was playing with my dog Tanner. He is a Labrador Retriever – And he certainly lives up to that title. Tanner will happily retrieve a Frisbee, ball or almost any object as many times as I am able to throw it. As I fondly watched my good natured canine companion fetch again and again faithfully placing it in my lap so I could throw it one more time, I thought how appropriate that he was of a breed with the term “retriever” assigned to it – Being a “Retriever” is part of the purpose for which Tanner was created.   Names are significant. Expectant parents often prayerfully and carefully consider what name to bestow on their precious little one who they will welcome into the world. Names indicate our heritage. Historically, a name given to offspring held profound meaning. A name was often given to reflect an individual’s character, or to proclaim an expectation about a person’s purpose or destiny. The Bible has quite a bit ...

The seasons of my life are passing so swiftly. I am keenly aware of this lately. It’s been more than 4 months since my last blog post. The one before that was in the heart of winter following a major blizzard. Now here we are in the heat of summer. Reviewing my blog and seeing that photo of my house covered with snow caused me to reflect upon on how quickly time passes. I ponder how, just as natural seasons usher in changes in weather and climate, we experience seasons in our lives that foster changes in our circumstances or surroundings. There are even those precious seasons of life designed to promote changes within our very being itself. Though the calendar has indicated winter ended some time ago, I’m afraid there has been a bit of a chill in my soul that has lingered well into the spring and summer. I’ve encountered a few storms in my journey that I did not weather with as much trust and steadfastness as God’s faithfulness deserves. While I value a sunny disposition, hone...

Some things are difficult to define and challenging to explain. Joy is like that for me. I believe it is vital and indeed a precious gift. but how do you describe it? I am raising the question here because I am facing that daunting task. I have taken on the assignment of presenting a session to children at my church on the topic of joy. I am considering as an outline: • What is joy? • Who can have it? • How do you get it? • Why is it important? Following is an attempt to briefly expound on the key points: • What is joy? As I mentioned, it is not easy to describe joy. In fact even a great apostle who authored much of the New Testament stated that joy was beyond his capacity to express. 1 Peter 1:8 (New American Standard Bible) 8and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, We can be assured that joy is not dependent on circumstances. It is a gift that...

We have been in the midst of quite severe winter weather - frigid temperatures, blustery winds and enormous amounts of snowfall. The blizzard of 2011 dumped in excess of 20 inches of snow on the Chicago area. This was combined with fierce winds resulted in huge snow drifts. Moving about has been virtually impossible. Despite this meteorlogical mess, or perhaps because of it, I have experienced many blessings. God used my dear friends as He often does, to meet my needs in the midst of inclement weather related challenges. After it had snowed heavily for most of the previous day, and throughout the night, I got up the other day to discover a literal snow barricade at my  back door. Since the snow was higher than Tanner is tall, it was impossible for him to get outside. He was probably quite uncomfortable with a full bladder, and we were both more than a little distressed by the predicament. I called a dear friend who often provides assistance to me and asked if she coul...