The most haunting and scriptural Christmas song I have ever heard…
Christmas
All posts tagged Christmas
As I reflect on the past year this early Christmas morning I can’t help but feel troubled yet hopeful. From radical religious extremists beheading people in the name of God to civil unrest and the executions of police officers, to partisan warfare in the halls of our nation’s Capitol – this has been nothing if not a year of spiritual upheaval. I say I’m hopeful because I know that we are a nation founded in Divine Providence. We have been freely offered Grace, if we will but accept it.
I’m troubled, however, because too often we seem to forget that God does not take spiritual upheaval lightly. He does not refrain from distributing divine justice on those who would encourage such upheaval.
On this Christmas morning I take a moment to ask for forgiveness for any harm I may have caused to others this year, by harsh and unforgiving words or through undeserved rebukes. On this Christmas morning I recall that I am a broken man, and am in need of that which is undeserved – forgiveness.
On this Christmas morning I recall unfair public criticism leveled at men and women my nation has chosen as leaders. Though I would not and did not choose them myself, they nonetheless ARE the people who bear the burden of elected leadership. Like me they also are broken, prone to error, and in need of forgiveness. This Christmas I pray that God will grant them the humility to recognize that they are neither deity nor devil, and that they are capable of great leadership AND great error. May He grant them good judgment and the courage to act wisely for the good of all.
This Christmas morning I recall harsh and unforgiving arrogance leveled at friends, colleagues and family. I ask for their understanding and forgiveness, though I deserve neither. I especially ask for forgiveness and understanding from those whom I recall I was so willing to cast aside when in my arrogance I believed that they were unworthy of MY understanding.
On this Christmas morning I pray that this nation will come to understand that Providence granted is not necessarily granted permanently. I pray we come to understand that in our own arrogance lies the seed for the loss of that Providence.
On this Christmas morning I look with trepidation as well as hope to the New Year. May we come as children before God as a once again unified people, knowing that it is only in Grace that we may continue.
God bless you and Merry Christmas from Then The Darkness Fell.