Tag Archives: peace

He shall be called Prince of Peace…

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There is a song for Advent in this post – you just have to read a lot first!  :)

hand prints, foot prints for christmas

Today I am adding  Casting Crown’s “I Heard the Bells.” It was probably about 10 or 12 years ago that I began to really understand the amazing thing that happened over “secular” radio airwaves each Christmas season as classic Christmas carols were played.  There it was – out in the hustle and bustle of shopping and crowds and malls, KOSI-101 playing Bing Crosby’s voice singing these lyrics:

“…’There is no peace on earth,’ I said,

‘For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.’

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

“GOD IS NOT DEAD, NOR DOES HE SLEEP;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With PEACE ON EARTH, goodwill to men.”

peace on earth

The story of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow writing these words, while unique to him, also proves that across time, we all experience the pain of loss.  These are chaotic and confusing days and our world is politically, socially and most certainly spiritually distraught.  Then in our own small lives an unforeseen setback comes to mar the beauty of the life we had tried to carve out.  Sickness, professional fails, broken friendships, shattered dreams, the death of some one important…it can cause us to want to just forget about the whole Christmas thing, to feel as Longfellow did at the prospect of merry-making

“In despair I bowed my head, ‘There is no peace on earth, ‘ I said.”

But, oh how I thank Henry W. Longfellow for pressing through and getting the revelation of the truth of what the angels proclaimed in dazzling, glorious, bright-light words to the shepherds so long ago.  Because he wrote the words that led to a song that, while we may see it as just another old-fashioned Christmas carol, becomes a TRUTH released into the atmosphere proclaiming the VERY words of God and His Word will always, ALWAYS accomplish what it was sent forth to do.  Dig it, people – Christmas is a time you can actually, really, with total boldness and clarity declare the Word of God on your life, on the lives of your friends and family and into your community.  You have the GOOD NEWS!  Give it!

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

‘Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!'” Luke 2

So, for today, Casting Crowns with a newer rendition of these powerful lyrics.  This song gives me goosebumps!  Everytime the choir sings, “Peace on Earth,” I get so excited about this amazing gift from heaven all over again.

Glory to God in the highest – I worship Him, I gift Him with my abandoned love and praise.  Peace on earth and goodwill – He gifts me back!  And He gives good gifts!  Please receive this today, and believe it no matter how scary or hopeless the world seems: God is good and He gives PEACE.  May you be blessed today with a “suddenly” moment just like the shepherds were.  :)

P.S.  No kidding – I really just mean to post a song, not get all crazy enthusiastic about it, but this i what happens to me!

Jesus said:  “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  John 14.27

Another Song for Advent, A Peaceful Lullaby

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Eight down, one to be born…

reindeer foot and handprints

The 8 grandbebes have had cold, wet paint squished through their fingers and toes for Nonna’s annual Christmas art exhibit.  And just in case she gets here on time (and oh, we hope she will since she is due to arrive in a mere 6 days, I have Evangeline’s “canvas” all ready to go.

I know Jesus wasn’t born on December 25.  But as we observe, we are marking the time as if He had been.  So Tredessa, my daughter, is in much the same place Mary would have been about now in her pregnancy.  The time is close and everthing about life begins to focus in on the coming glory.  So glad Tre will have a nice car for getting to the hospital instead of riding on a donkey for 4 days.  Although – that cannot hurt labor, can it?

And on that note, we have the iPhone docking station ready to go to the birthing room, where it will be playing the anointed, beautiful Hidden in My Heart Scripture Lullabies.  I cannot tell you how soothing and lovely this music is and how very peaceful the atmosphere becomes when it is playing.   The songs are beautifully arranged and while each stands alone, as an ongoing part of the whole: just so restful and faith-building!  Bonus: pure Word of God released into the air.  And His Word will accomplish everything it sets out to do.  Period.

So, this is perfect for now.  The week of desiring and longing and looking for the Peace only Jesus can give.  PLEASE take a few minutes and listen….

The Peace of God, Hidden in My Heart, Volume I

By the way, check out the Hidden in My Heart website and you can download a free song, or even send a free song.  I met the Stockers once (they are the writers/producers) and I gushed all over them because I love my 2 CDs so much.  They are a generous bunch, the people at Hidden in my Heart!  And Volume III was just released!  BUY!

The wreaths, the candles, the colors and other Advent mysteries

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I told you the other day I looked up something about Advent from a Catholic site and they had used Wikipedia’s definition of it, which is…odd.  But anyway…I have not come to criticize, I have come to try to figure out the traditions of it because it is fun.  And I have started my own tradition this year – songs.  :)

amelie belle and santa

Amelie was glad to discover her old friend is back today

Anyway, in the 80s we lived in a small Nebraska city and there was a strong liturgical bent and I followed along, observing customs like the Advent wreath and lighting candles and basically just did whatever everyone else was doing.  But I’ve decided to try to understand the value of it in my old age, because I like things with meaning, and I find that rituals and patterns in our lives offer a rhythmic order that keeps our steps steady, day in and day out, season by season…

be merry

So, this morning I wondered, “Now what exactly are all those purple candles and the one pink one about???”  And found, after just clicking through a few sites on my Google-search: that explanation varies greatly!!!  Proof: {{click here}}. 

Pick a meaning, any meaning.  What?  Am I going to have to attend seminary to sort this thing out?  I don’t think so.  I am choosing for the week following the second Sunday of Advent to be about Peace (which is one of the options listed.  Last week, hope.  This week. peace.).  So let’s just agree that yesterday’s Advent candle (which I did not light) began a week looking forward to Peace.  Yes, Peace on earth, in the world, OK.  But Peace inside us, too, in our homes, where we go, as we drive (with all the maniacs on the road), in the decisions we make and the conversations we have: Peace.

And since for whatever reason, I seem to be on an 80s kick today (as evidenced by my Twitter posts), I shouldn’t have been surprised by this song coming to mind when I said, “God?  Give me a song for my Advent observation.  Something in the peace-genre,”  as if He is just spinning discs on request for me.  I waited for something spectacular to come to mind.  Then, just as evening fell, I heard Carman’s voice in my head.  From the mid-80s: Fear Not, My Child.  It isn’t actually a “peace” song, but it reminds me of Jesus’s words in John 14.27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

I think if Jesus says He is giving us HIS peace, we can safely kiss fear good-bye.    It isn’t helping us at all, anyway.  So, it’s 6:40 pm and I am going to listen, in the light of the tree (yes-TV is off!)…join me…

Today’s Advent Song…Fear Not, My Child

He knows how to take care of what is causing us fear.

So 80s!  Love it!

How Very Amazing

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Hey, remember the 80s?

Larnelle sang a song.  I probably only heard a couple of times, but the beginning words…

His grace is greater than our failures

His peace runs deeper than our fears

I woke up hearing just those lines (in my sister’s voice, not Larnelle’s, because she sang it at the church Dave and I pastored way back when).

That is some amazingly great grace, some powerfully all-encompassing peace.  It is.