The Weary World Rejoices!

I saw this phrase (from O Holy Night) on a canvas on Pinterest and knew I wanted to make something similar. For mine I mod podged newspaper to the canvas and then cut red vinyl letters on my Silhouette, stuck them on and mod podged some more. I love it. It is the reminder that I needed this year and has become my Christmas theme. 

My husband and I were just talking about why there are so many movies where someone has to "save Christmas." Why is Christmas always in danger of being lost? Toys, elves, golden retrievers all become heros when they save Christmas, ensuring that everyone gets their toys from Santa. Oh, made-for-TV movies you are so close, and yet so far. Christmas is about saving something from being lost forever, but it's not Santa, it's us. I really like the old cartoon version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, for the fact that no one saves Christmas, it saves him.

"The Grinch with his grinch feet ice-cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?" "It came without ribbons, it came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!" And he puzzled three hours till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! "Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas....perhaps...means a little bit more!"

I have to admit, at the beginning of the season, I was feeling rather grinchy; resenting the commercialism, the stuff, stuff, stuff, stuff. But for some reason this Christmas has turned out to mean more to me than ever. Maybe it's because of Sandy Hook, I'm not sure. Light looks the brightest in the deepest of darkness, and it's a weary world that seeks something to rejoice in.

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of the shadow of death 

a light has dawned...For to us a child is born,

    to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. 

And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

-Isaiah 9:2,6

I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends this week. And I hope more than anything that you are filled with the thrill of hope, because that is why a little baby came to earth in the humblest of ways; to rescue us and give us hope. 

You are loved. 

Merry Christmas!

O Holy Night

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine! 

...

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.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!