Christmas

I don't think I've ever cried during a Christmas Eve service ... that is until this year. These past few weeks leading up to Christmas have been filled with a different emotion for me ... sadness. I've become involved in a few students lives who are struggling through some really hard things. It pains my heart to see our young girls struggling in this fallen and sinful world. Their struggle is very real as their world seems to be slowly devouring them. I hate that they hurt, and I hate that they have to suffer. I hate that our world is full of sin ... which leads me back to the Christmas Eve service. As we sang my favorite Christmas song, Oh Holy Night, I couldn't stop the water works ...

Long lay the world in sin and error pining. Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices ... The King of kings lay thus lowly manger; In all our trials born to be our friends. He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger ... Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother. And in his name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, With all our hearts we praise His holy name.

I cried as we celebrated our savior entering this world to save us from all the junk that surrounds us. The only thing I can do to express my gratefulness to my Jesus is to "Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices! O night divine, the night when Christ was born; O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!"

What a great Christmas celebration we had this year!