I haven't tried or wanted to try to write anything regarding the tragedy in Connecticut. It's something I can't wrap my mind around. I don't understand.
Christmas, in my mind ,is the time of year to feel warm and fuzzy like the images on Norman Rockwell cards. It's time for sweet surprises like the old coffee commercial where the troop comes home and surprises his mom showing up in her kitchen one morning in his army fatigues; home for Christmas. But we're not home really.
That revelation has again become real, time and time again lately. The world in all it's beauty, is a broken place where death stings. Some families won't be together. Bad news covers the TV screen while others struggle with private pain.
Darkness doesn't belong in Christmas.
Or is Christmas when darkness turns to dawn?
As long as we live on this temporary globe, there will be darkness. Some of us feel swallowed by it now. But Christmas is HOPE. Christmas is the message, in a babe, that light has come. That light came to be with us and is with us still.
Even more, that light which is Christ, shows us the way to a place and time where there will be no darkness; our future home.
HOPE
It's the gift given to us which we hold most tight to when things around us are more than we can bear.
24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.Romans 8:24-25
You probably know the song "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day". With my short attention span I'm a first verse girl. I'm tuned out for any verse beyond. The other day I really listened to this whole song. It's our story; a story about sweet Christmastime. It's about despair often felt during the season. But we can't miss the last verse. It's about hope. Listen for the bells ringing deep within our soul, soothing us with hope of a better day.
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
I heard the bells on Christmas day, ther old familiar carols play, and mild and sweet their songs repeat, of peace on earth goodwill to men
And the bells are ringing (peace on earth)
Like a choir they're singing (peace on earth)
In my heart I hear them (peace on earth-ohh)
Peace on earth good will to men
And the bells are ringing (peace on earth)
Like a choir they're singing (peace on earth)
In my heart I hear them (peace on earth-ohh)
Peace on earth good will to men
And in despair I bow my head; "There is no peace on earth" I said "for hate is strong and mocks the song" of peace on earth goodwill to men
But the bells are ringing (peace on earth)
Like a choir singing (peace on earth)
Does anybody hear them? (peace on earth -ohh)
Peace on earth goodwill to men
But the bells are ringing (peace on earth)
Like a choir singing (peace on earth)
Does anybody hear them? (peace on earth -ohh)
Peace on earth goodwill to men
Then rang the bells more loud and deep; God is not dead nor does he sleep
(Peace on earth, peace on earth)
The wrong shall fail the right prevail; with peace on earth goodwill to men
(Goodwill to man)
Then ringing singing on its way, the world revolved from night to day a voice, a chime, a chain sublime, with peace on earth goodwill to man
(Peace on earth, peace on earth)
The wrong shall fail the right prevail; with peace on earth goodwill to men
(Goodwill to man)
Then ringing singing on its way, the world revolved from night to day a voice, a chime, a chain sublime, with peace on earth goodwill to man
Hear Casting Crowns sing this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-150Y6Hf8ds