And in His Name all oppression shall cease
So, at 3:30am, as I head to bed after another late night of Christmas shopping and wrapping, I wanted to go ahead and post my Christmas thoughts. I have a busy day tomorrow: Church with the family at First Wesleyan (my mom has returned to the church she used to go to years and years ago), then taking my little brothers & sister shopping for one another, then back home to clean house for our Christmas Eve family get-together, then church again at my Baptist church at 5, then back home and, finally, Midnight Mass at my other church, St. Paul’s Episcopal.
Oh… and we also decorated our tree today (pictured right). Yeah… we did it WAY late into the season, but I guess it’s always better late than never, right?
Back when I first started up my whole obsession with websites, I had a small website on the UNCG server. I updated a “writings” section about once or twice a week (kind of like blogging, but before I knew what a “blog” was). I wrote this little thought on Christmas and posted it last year on this blog on Christmas Eve. I’m posting it again; I guess it can be considered a tradition now?
There’s only one thing that needs to be corrected: This year marks the 2011th year since Christ’s birth:
Break Forth, O Beauteous, Heavenly Light
December 12, 2004
Two thousand nine years ago a little baby was born. To Christians, such as myself, this little baby, born of a virgin and into a life free of sin, is the Saviour Jesus Christ, the Perfect Lamb of God. Now we could get into the scholarly debate on whether or not Christ was actually born in Bethlehem or whether or not a star even existed to lead the supposed Wise Men to Christ, but that is not my concern. My personal belief is that Christ was born in Bethlehem and that, yes, a star did guide the Wise Men to Christ (even though the Bible points out that the Wise Men were not present at the manger scene).
That star was created by God, just as everything else in existence was. That beautiful and glorious star shone light throughout the world on that Christmas night and so did the light that came from the host of heavenly angels singing to the shepherds.
On that night the angels sang one of the most beautiful songs that humans might have ever heard and might never hear again: “Gloria in excelsis Deo et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis,” that is “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among people.”
The question that I put forth is that why, in the two thousand nine years since the angels sang that song, have humans yet to fulfill its message of hope, peace and goodwill. Why has humanity not come to that ultimate epitome of goodwill toward men? More importantly, why have we not come to extend God’s goodwill to ALL of His children?
As Christ grew to adulthood and as He started His ministry, the most important message that He extended to the people of His time was one of love, forgiveness acceptance. He turned no one away and he showed immeasurable and unconditional love to even the most sinful people. Humans, specifically Christians, have failed to live up to their most ultimate goal: to live as Christ lived, to love as Christ loved and to forgive as Christ forgave.
As we enter this Christmas season my hope is that somehow, someway we will be able to come closer to proclaiming God’s peace on earth and God’s love to all. I say, “Break forth, O beauteous, heavenly light” and let all people know that God does indeed love them and may God help as all to remember that we are all made in His image and created as His children. Let us love one another as He Himself loved us.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and have a bright, wonderful New Year!
Personally, I’ll be taking a break from the blog for at least Christmas Eve & most likely all day Christmas (maybe except for a post… who knows). I hope everyone has a fun, wonderful time with family & friends.
And… as a special treat: My favorite verse, from my favorite Christmas song, by one of my favorite artists (Josh Groban, “O Night Divine”):
Chains shall He break,
For the slave is our brother,
And in His Name all oppression shall cease,
Sweet hymns of joy,
In grateful chorus praise we,
Let all within us praise His Holy Name,
Christ is the Lord,
Let ever, ever praise we,
Noel, Noel, O Night, O Night Divine,
Noel, Noel, O Night, O Night Divine,
Noel, Noel, O Night, O Night Divine.
About the Author: Matt
One Response to “And in His Name all oppression shall cease”
Merry Christmas!
By Samantha on Dec 24, 2006