My FAVORITE carol of Christmas. There are rumors of its lyrics floating around the church since the 15th century; the actual author remains an unknown. Official publication wasn't until 1833 by William B. Sandy. Ten years later, it would appear in Dickens' famous A Christmas Carol.
Why is this my favorite carol? Because of the emphasis that it carries, both in its title and its chorus.
We emphasize a lot at Christmas. Countdowns, store sales, gift wrappings and exchanges. Cookie baking and cards (YES, people still write those!), and any number of parties, filled with people we haven't seen since last December. We try to take it all in, physically, emotionally... yes, even spiritually. The message of Christmas, the meaning poured into every encounter, every snowfall... It can be overwhelming. I've felt it in my rush to write my blog posts, eager to inject them through the wireless web of the world. In the race to get that perfect gift for all the friends I cherish, all the family members I love, and whoever else pops into mind. Well, when I feel such a rush overtaking my sense of the season, I remember this carol; how it calls people to do that which they think of last... REST.
Before Christmas, before Jesus, there was no hope for us; sin was a chasm that separated us from God. There was a debt to pay for our sins and it was massive. People needed to be on their toes in order to pay off their debt and breach the chasm. The promise of Jesus' birth and death is mentioned throughout the Old Testament and belief in that promise was evidenced through many prophets' faith. Seeking atonement for their sins was how they lived out their belief that they needed a Savior and forgiveness from their sins.
As such, sacrifices had to be made; animals chosen and taken to the temple. This needed to be done for every sin, every time. How many times in a week? In a day? Think about how many of the Ten Commandments you break in an hour... how did anyone find the time to make that much atonement?!?
After Christmas, after Jesus' life, death, and gracious resurrection, all that necessity stopped. It wasn't needed anymore because Jesus was offering His blood as the atonement. 'To save us all from Satan's power, when we have gone astray.'
With that, hope came rushing in, chasing away the anxious requirements and leaving rest in its place. As the carol cries out; 'Tidings of comfort and joy... comfort and joy.' For anyone who asks Jesus into their heart, the chasm doesn't pose a threat to their eternal life anymore. There's a bridge! A way across! A way to be united with God forever.!
With that in mind, rest this Christmas... 'let nothing you dismay. Remember Christ our Savior, was born on Christmas Day.'
Rest.
Rest.
Rest.
'My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant...
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.'
~Luke 1:46-47; 54-55 (Mary's Song)~
Calms the soul. We need to rest more in Him.
ReplyDelete