Soap Bubbles

***Wanted to blog about this while it's still fresh in my head. I always have the best intentions but...other stuff always seems to get in the way. Or, I should say, I allow other stuff to get in the way.

James had a great message this morning before communion. He talked about how he was listening to the radio and heard a Christian Christmas song about the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus, how he is our hope and the source of our joy - in other words, a song about the true meaning of Christmas. He said right after that the Chipmunks Christmas song came on. He spoke about the contrast between the sacred and the secular, the truth and the world, the source of joy and the source of...well, pretty much nothing. What really stuck with me is his analogy of how we chase after worldly things and they're like soap bubbles - we keep grabbing at them, thinking they are going to bring us happiness and peace, and they pop, and just aren't there. The only lasting thing, the only thing that will bring true joy, happiness, and lasting security is Jesus Christ. \

***

Christ’s Nativity

Awake, glad heart! get up and sing!
It is the birth-day of thy King.
Awake! awake!
The Sun doth shake
Light from his locks, and all the way
Breathing perfumes, doth spice the day.

Awake, awake! hark how th’ wood rings;
Winds whisper, and the busy springs
A concert make;
Awake! awake!
Man is their high-priest, and should rise
To offer up the sacrifice.

I would I were some bird, or star,
Flutt’ring in woods, or lifted far
Above this inn
And road of sin!
Then either star or bird should be
Shining or singing still to thee.

I would I had in my best part
Fit rooms for thee! or that my heart
Were so clean as
Thy manger was!
But I am all filth, and obscene;
Yet, if thou wilt, thou canst make clean.

Sweet Jesu! will then. Let no more
This leper haunt and soil thy door!
Cure him, ease him,
O release him!
And let once more, by mystic birth,
The Lord of life be born in earth.

***



***Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of. ~~ Benjamin Franklin

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