The Road to Bethlehem – Rest, Comfort, Joy

Merry Christmas Dear Reader,

For some rest is elusive in the days before Christmas.   We burden ourselves with distractions and wrapping instead of finding the rest that is intended in celebrating Holy Days.  We are supposed to rest.  

I always make time to rest during this season.  I use the rest to ponder the gift of Christ and the reason for our revelry.   I use the rest to remember to not to let things get to me.  I use it to avail myself of God’s wish for peace.

For some comfort is unattainable.  There is often pain associated with Christmas.  Hurts and damage from the past revisit us.  Loss and pain spring fresh from old wounds.  Instead of finding comfort in Christ we embrace the thorns of Christmas past as if their damage is more precious.  There are past pains and continued losses that try to rob me of my spirit but I refuse to dishonor the gift of Christ by focusing on them.

We are meant to receive comfort from the birth of Jesus.  We are meant to find solace in the hope of his being with us.  There is relief from all that we fear and all that has harmed us in the love of Christ.

For some Joy is unwanted or painful or unattainable and we must respect that.   My mirth must not be a source of pain for others.   I must acknowledge that some will spend their first Christmas with the loss of a parent or a child.  Some will be alone whose hearts have been broken by another.

My hope is that you can find rest, comfort, and joy in the gift God intends for you.  I like him would not force it on you.  I do hope that you find a way to embrace it on your own.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – Annie Lennox

God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay

For Jesus Christ, our Savior was born on Christmas Day

To save us all from Satan's powers when we were gone astray

Glad tidings of comfort and joy

Comfort and joy

Glad tidings of comfort and joy

In Bethlehem, in Israel this blessed Babe was born

And laid within a manger upon this blessed morn

The which His Mother Mary did nothing take in scorn

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy

Comfort and joy

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy

From God our Heavenly Father a blessed angel came

And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same

How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy

Comfort and joy

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy

"Fear not then, said the angel, let nothing you affright

This day is born a Savior of a pure virgin bright

To free all those who trust in Him from Satan's power and might"

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy

Comfort and joy

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy

Now to the Lord sing praises, all you within this place

And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace

This holy tide of Christmas all other doth deface

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy

Comfort and joy

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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