Merry Christmas

I know that my post from a few days ago left some wondering what my deal is.  The truth is I am still struggling to come to grips with the trials the Lord blessed me and my family with this year.

Most days I'm fine.

But there are some days when I just want to cry.
I beg my Father for relief.
To please make this stop.....make things the way they were.

But then I realize I'm still His work in progress and I must wait.

Much like those two thousand years ago waited for their Relief to come.
To rescue them from their trials.

Thinking about this today caused me to look up the words to the Christmas hymn "O Come, O Come Emmanuel."
They truly seem to speak to me now.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,

Who orderest all things mightily;

To us the path of knowledge show,

And teach us in her ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free

Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;

From depths of hell Thy people save,

And give them victory over the grave.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,

And open wide our heavenly home;

Make safe the way that leads on high,

And close the path to misery.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, great Lord of might,

Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height

In ancient times once gave the law

In cloud and majesty and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree,

An ensign of Thy people be;

Before Thee rulers silent fall;

All peoples on Thy mercy call.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Desire of nations, bind

In one the hearts of all mankind;

Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,

And be Thyself our King of Peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

For those who wait to be freed from whatever may bind, may you find peace this Christmas, knowing He came to earth, He died to pay our debts, and He lives to comfort, understand and love us.

I am grateful for the peace this knowledge brings.  I know that someday, I will be free from not only my current tribulations, but from all worldly sorrows and cares.  His infinite sacrifice for me leaves me humbled and I will forever praise His name.

May you feel His love and have a wonderful Christmas.