“It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, from angels bending near the earth, to touch their harps of gold! Peace on the earth, goodwill to men, from heaven’s all gracious King! The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing. Still through the cloven skies they come, with peaceful wings unfurled, and still their heavenly music floats, o’er all the weary world; above its sad and lowly plains, they bend on hovering wing. And ever o’er its Babel sounds, the blessed angels sing. Yet with the woes of sin and strife, the world hath suffered long; beneath the angel-strain have rolled, two thousand years of wrong; and man, at war with man, hears not, the love song which they bring: o hush the noise, ye men of strife, and hear the angels sing. For lo! the days are hastening on, by prophet bards foretold, when, with the ever-circling years, shall come the Age of Gold; when peace shall over all the earth, its ancient splendors fling, and all the world give back the song, which now the angels sing.” Won’t you sing along?

“Said the night wind to the little lamb. Do you see what I see? Way up in the sky little lamb. Do you see what I see? A star, a star, dancing in the night, with a tail as big as a kite, with a tail as big as a kite. Said the little lamb to the Shepard boy. Do you hear what I hear? Ringing through the sky Shepard boy. Do you hear what I hear? A song, a song, high above the trees, with a voice as big as the sea, with a voice as big as the sea. Said the Shepard boy to the mighty king. Do you know what I know? In your palace wall mighty king. Do you know what I know? A child, a child, shivers in the cold, let us bring him silver and gold, let us bring him silver and gold.” My brothers and sisters in Christ, now that you have heard the good news, are you getting ready to meet the King?

“Not by human flesh and blood, but the Spirit of our God, was the Word of God made flesh, woman’s Offspring, pure and fresh. Wondrous birth! O wondrous Child, of the Virgin undefiled! Though by all the world disowned, still to be in heaven enthroned. From the Father forth He came, and returneth to the same, captive leading death and hell, high the song of triumph swell! Thou the Father’s only Son, hast o’er sin the victory won, boundless shall Thy kingdom be; when shall we its glories see? Brightly doth Thy manger shine, glorious is its light divine, let not sin overshadow this light; ever be our faith thus bright. Praise to God the Father sing, praise to God the Son, our King, praise to God the Spirit be, ever and eternally.”

This week as we continue to light the candle of peace, let us pray for peace in the world and take comfort in knowing that, God’s peace reigns supreme, that it is a gift to us. Accept Him today. A gift is not a gift until it is received. Make this your best Christmas ever, by allowing God into your heart, and experience a gift that keeps on giving, you will belong to a circle that has no end.

As I read this passage, Amy Grant’s song came to me, and it filled me with wonder, as I pondered what Mary must have been going through, the thoughts she must have struggled with, as to why God chose her, for such important mission. And as I listened to the words of the song, I was filled with peace. It said, “I have traveled many moonless nights, cold and weary with a babe inside, and I wonder, what I’ve done, Holy Father, you have come, and chosen me now to carry your son. I am waiting in a silent prayer, I am frightened by the load I bear, in a world as cold as stone. Must I walk this path alone? Be with me now, be with me now, breath of heaven, hold me together, be forever near me. Breath of heaven, breath of heaven, lighten my darkness, pour over me your holiness, for you are holy, breath of heaven. Do you wonder as you watch my face, if a wiser one should have had my place? But I offer all I am, for the mercy of your plan, help me be strong, help me, breath of heaven; hold me together, be forever near me. Breath of heaven, breath of heaven, lighten my darkness, pour over me your holiness, for you are holy, breath of heaven.” Mary sought God’s peace in the midst of worry, so too, when we seek God in times of trouble, He will give us His peace. He has given us His Peace.

“Come, Thou long expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in Thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art; dear desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart. Born Thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now Thy gracious kingdom bring. By Thine own eternal Spirit, rule in all our hearts alone; by Thine all sufficient merit, raise us to Thy glorious throne.”

“Rejoice, rejoice, believers, and let your lights appear; the evening is advancing, and darker night is near. The Bridegroom is arising and soon is drawing nigh, up, pray and watch and wrestle; at midnight comes the cry. The watchers on the mountain proclaim the Bridegroom near; go forth as He approaches, with alleluias clear. The marriage feast is waiting; the gates wide open stand, arise, O heirs of glory; the Bridegroom is at hand. The saints, who here in patience, their cross and sufferings bore, shall live and reign forever, when sorrow is no more. Around the throne of glory, the Lamb they shall behold; in triumph cast before him, their diadems of gold. Our hope and expectation, O Jesus, now appear; arise, O Sun so longed for, o’er this benighted sphere. With hearts and hands uplifted, we plead, O Lord, to see, the day of earth’s redemption that sets your people free!” We have so much to hope and long for, the coming of our King.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, this is the season of hope. Allow no one take your hope, for as long as we have God, we have hope; and we could look forward to his coming with joy. “He brings God’s rule, O Zion; He comes from heaven above, His rule is peace and freedom, and justice, peace, and love. Lift high your praise resounding, for grace and joy abounding; O, blest is Christ that came, in God’s most holy name. Fling wide your gates, O Zion; your Savior’s rule embrace; His tidings of salvation, proclaim in every place. All lands will bow before him, their voices will adore him. O, blest is Christ that came, in God’s most holy name!

“On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry, announces that the Lord is nigh, awake and harken, for He brings, glad tidings of the King of Kings!” Lord, we confess that we are in need of salvation, healing and love, and as we meditate on the words of this Advent hymn, may we prepare a home in our hearts where you may enter. “Then cleansed be every life from sin: make straight the way for God within, and let us all our hearts prepare, a home, where such a Mighty guest may come. We hail you as our Savior, Lord, our refuge and our great reward, without your grace we waste away, like flowers that wither and decay. Stretch forth your hand, our health restore, and make us rise to fall no more; O let your face upon us shine, and fill the world with love divine. All praise to you, eternal Son, whose Advent has our freedom won, whom with the Father we adore, and Holy Spirit, evermore.” Amen!

“O Jerusalem, herald good tidings, ascend to the heights and sing! Proclaim to a desolate people, the coming of their king. Like flowers of the field we perish, like grass our works decay; the power and the pomp of nations, shall pass like a dream away. But the word of our Savior is faithful, the arm of our God is strong, who stands in the midst of the nations and soon will right the wrong. Lord, feed your flock like a shepherd, the lambs so gently hold; in pastures of peace now lead them, and bring them to your fold.”