Worship XII Day 6 It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

Deborah Rutherford
November 27, 2023

Psalm 62
Lamentations 3:22-24
Luke 2:1-20
John 1:9-13
God speaks to me through life’s rhythms in sweet whispers and gentle nudges,
jaw-dropping revelations of the Word and Spirit-filled epiphanies,
in sunsets, early morning birds, swaying trees, beautiful wildflowers,
and a doe and her fawn grazing in my yard.
Sometimes, as I lay in bed, my heart softly stirred, my eyes drift open, and I ask, “Lord?”. If anxiety spills while making my tea, I retreat quickly to my prayer room, knees down to receive the comfort that accompanies fixing my eyes on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:1-2) God is kind to give me tender, loving kindness and new mercies each morning. (Lamentations 3:22-24) He knows my heart when doubt creeps in. He created the universe, the world, and me. He is all-powerful and all-knowing as He holds all in His hand. Yet He loves me.
My life changed when I began counting my blessings in the familiar moments of life. God’s divine love is the fabric of life itself, and I am part of His glorious blessing. Even my chaos, emotional turmoil, body ailments, moments of unkindness or jealousy, misunderstanding, worry, or fear–these are invitations to draw close to God through confession, repentance, and seeking wisdom and understanding. We will see His handiwork of love refining, restoring, and redeeming our lives.
God holds all our lives, and they are never an inextricable mess to Him.
God knows our human earthly toil and experience in this weary world full of sadness, distractions, and wickedness.
But God also knew how to rescue us.
Today’s hymn describes the announcement of Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:8-20):
“It came upon a midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold:
‘Peace on the earth, goodwill to men
from heaven’s all-gracious King.’
The world in solemn stillness lay
to hear the angels sing.”
In the darkness, God sent His light who came in the flesh – Emmanuel – God with us. (John 1:9-13; Isaiah 7:14) He loves us and gives the greatest gift of all: His son Jesus.
Jesus is peace on earth; Jesus is God’s goodwill to men.
Humankind has suffered so much since sin entered the world. (Genesis 3)
“And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
whose forms are bending low,
who toil along the climbing way,
with painful steps and slow,
look now! For glad and golden hours
come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
and hear the angels sing!”
Into our suffering, God offered His love song in that field where shepherds stood, just as He offers this same love song to us today: Jesus, who suffered and died on our behalf, bearing the eternal consequence of our sins and offering us His righteousness. (2 Corinthians 5:20-21) May we cease our sin and aggression, hush our noise to find peace and goodness in Jesus. God’s love song is homeward bound to the magnificent day when we will live eternally with Him in heaven.
“For lo! The days are hastening on
by prophet seen of old,
when with the ever-circling years
shall come the time foretold
when peace shall over all the earth
its ancient splendors fling,
and the whole world send back the song
which now the angels sing.”
On this journey, God always provides precisely what we need and invites us to rest in Him.
– Rest in God because our salvation comes from Him. (Psalm 62:1)
– Rest in God because He alone is our rock, salvation, and stronghold. With God, we are never shaken. (Psalm 62:2)
– Rest in God, for our hope comes from Him. (Psalm 62:5)
– Rest in God because He is our refuge. (Psalm 62:7)
– Rest in God because we can trust Him and pour our hearts out. (Psalm 62:8)
– Rest in God because He is our strength. (Psalm 62:11)
– Rest in God because He is faithful and loves us. (Psalm 62:12)
Abba Father, in the early mornings, throughout the day over meals, through stumbles, new directions, ponderings, and joyful, spontaneous praise, I thank You for Your love. I feel Your embrace, leading and teaching. You search my heart, guiding me to repentance and renewing my soul. You invite me to rest in You.
I praise You, shouting and singing and dancing hallelujahs, for You are my comforter, deliverer, shelter, provider, and healer. Nothing is ordinary because every moment with You is extraordinary.
While life can be stressful and complex, we, as followers of Jesus, have the promise of a midnight clear, a Savior who rescued us, and an eternal home. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and spread the glorious news, for time is marching on, and soon, yes, very soon, the angels will sing.
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