Christmas Carols Rich in Meaning

Last weekend my husband and I were blessed to attend a concert here in Dallas by the Orpheus Chamber Singers. Although we were not familiar with most of the music, we so enjoyed the quality of the group’s voices in a church built for sound without microphones. I was thankful for the printed program which included the lyrics to the unknown carols. Once again I was reminded of how much theology is present in Christian music of ages past. Although I enjoy contemporary Christian music, often such depth is missing.

As I listened, I allowed the truth of the words to pour into my heart. Beautiful and often deep, they brought home the true meaning of the season. Here are some of my favorites:

Blown Away by the Incarnation

On December 1, we received a wonderful Christmas gift—our first grandchild. I was blessed to visit the family for eight great days, including lots of time loving on her. Because of her birth’s proximity to Christmas, I often thought of the baby in the manger when I held her, and my mind was blown away by the truth of the incarnation.

How can God become a baby? How could he remain God and yet be totally dependent and helpless? How did Jesus grow in wisdom and knowledge like other children when he is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end? How can the Creator be enclosed in a created body?

Thankful in Everything? Really?

Each year I ask God for verses to pray for myself for the next twelve months, focusing on some weak area in my walk of faith. During 2011, I have prayed 1 Thess. 5:16-18: “Always rejoice, constantly pray, in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (NET). Apparently, all three of these commands are included in the statement that it is God’s will for us. The terms always, constantly, and in everything mean that these responses are to be part of our daily lives.

As we approach the celebration of Thanksgiving here in the U.S., many of us consider the good things for which we are thankful, and that is appropriate and good. It may be, however, that we should spend time being thankful for the other circumstances and even heartaches for which it is difficult to rejoice and give thanks.

How can we be thankful and joyful in everything? Here are some things that I have learned to do.

Processing Herman Cain and Joe Paterno Stories

The fact that the world is broken has once again been confirmed by headline stories this week. Someone is lying in the Cain saga, and many are guilty of failing in their responsibilities at Penn State. Some reactions to the stories surprise me, too. Our world is broken by sin, affecting our actions and our thinking. I am trying to process these messes. I would love to hear your thoughts after you read mine.

Kim Kardashian and the Minute Marriage

Explaining her divorce filing from NBA player Kris Humphries after only ten weeks of marriage, reality star Kim Kardashian released this statement: "I hope everyone understands this was not an easy decision. I had hoped this marriage was forever but sometimes things don't work out as planned." Court documents cite irreconcilable differences as the reason behind the divorce. Humphries seems upset by the filing, saying he is “devastated” and willing to work on the marriage.

Apparently, they had plenty of time to plan an elaborate made-for-television wedding, spending lavish amounts of money, but they don’t have time to plan their marriage and discuss the issues that are now irreconcilable.

What thinking in our culture has led to the “minute marriage” or even those that last longer but get no more effort to fix the problems than this one? What attitudes that devastate marriage are flourishing even in the church? Here are three thinking patterns I hear when I listen carefully.

Holding onto Hope in the Midst of Broken Reality

Life is tough; we face problems in relationships, careers, families, finances, and every other situation involved in living on this broken planet. God calls us to have hope and joy despite such challenges, even while we grieve and suffer and hurt. I am particularly challenged in the practicalities of having hope and believing that God can make the broken whole while at the same time not let it cut me right now. 

Maybe you relate. Perhaps your marriage is broken and your spouse has filed for divorce. Do you fight it or do you protect your future and what is rightfully yours? When do you simply accept a new reality and move forward? It could be that you have a life-threatening illness. Do you continue praying for healing when the treatment is failing or prepare your family for your death? How does hope work with the reality of life’s brokenness? How do we continue to trust God and show deep faith when reality suggests otherwise?

Wishing for the Easy Life

There are days when I wish for an easy life; I want to lie around and fall asleep at any time in any situation, just as my dogs do. They aren’t bothered by the worries and trials of life. Although they enjoy chasing various critters in the yard and alerting me to the dangers of anyone who walks down the front sidewalk, they immediately forget it and focus on the nap or food before them. They have servants (primarily me) to cater to their every wish for food, water, playmates, walks, and comfy places to sleep.

Why is life so hard for us? Why can’t we live like dogs? Three thoughts come quickly to mind.