7th Day of Christmas: Song in the Heavens
SCENE:
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:13-14)
SYNTAX:
Heavens.
the sky or universe as seen from the earth, firmament; the abode of God and the
Angels
SONG:
Gabriel! Come. Assemble your band,
for the birth of My Son is now at hand.
Harmonies layered with the brush of wings
as each cherubim and seraphim sings.
Glorious! Glorious! Make your praise glorious
with every refrain made more melodious
by the sound of all creatures, the heavens and the earth
pounding in praise of His miraculous birth.
Myriads and myriads of angels sound
the joyous news that peace has been found
in the babe, God’s Son, and brought to all men.
Glory to God in the highest, AMEN!
12th Day of Thanksgiving: We Gather Together
We gather together
to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens
His will to make known.
The wicked oppressing
now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to His name,
He forgets not His own.
Beside us to guide us,
our God with us joining,
ordaining, maintaining
His kingdom divine;
so from the beginning
the fight we were winning;
thou, Lord, wast at our side,
all glory be thine!
Lyrics: Nederlandtsch Gedencklanck; trans. by Theodore Baker
Music: 16th cent. Dutch melody; arr. by Edward Kremser (1838-1914)
10th Day of Thanksgiving: In Times of Trouble
Abraham Lincoln’s first proclamation of the national day of Thanksgiving was issued on October 3, 1863 during the midst of the Civil War. Although other presidents had set aside similar days, Lincoln’s was the first that established the national holiday.
It’s interesting to me that he was able to find a heart of gratitude and encourage it in the whole nation at such a devastating time in our history–a time when not even today’s political sparring can compare to the bitterness that existed between differing ideologies. Just three months prior to the proclamation (to the day) the bloodiest battle in American history ended in the fields of Gettysburg, PA. Lincoln firmly believed in the cause of unity and the freedom of all men, but it did not make him popular. Even in the Union camp, he wasn’t a golden boy. In fact, he was only a last minute addition to the podium when he gave his profound speech dedicating the battleground at Gettysburg as a National Cemetery–the follow-up speaker, no less. Yet, despite criticism and the weight of the conflict, he was able to adopt a thankful spirit. He obviously felt that being thankful was very important. I have read that during his administration, he often declared days of thanksgiving for his staff. The 1863 proclamation just extended this practice to the entire nation.
Although it seems paradoxical, sometimes the most perilous times are when we realize we have the most to be thankful for. It’s when we have the most to lose that we realize how much we really have. Troubled times reveal what is truly important. When circumstances spin out of our control, we are keenly aware of our own helplessless. When mistakes and missteps come so quickly, we are overwhelmed by our own inadequacies. At these times in life, we can often more easily recognize the blessings in our lives that we had no hand in creating. Maybe it gives me a sense of control, or maybe it just settles my spirit to think of something basic, but for me, when the big things seem to be in peril, I find comfort (and sanity) by looking at the small things–the simple blessings and joys that inspire gratitude.
When I read Lincoln’s proclamation, I noticed a few things he seemed to understand about thanksgiving, God and people:
1. Learning to recognize bounty is important.
2. We tend to forget the source of our blessings while we’re being blessed.
3. We almost always have more to be thankful for than we realize.
4. Blessings should soften our insensitive hearts.
5. God is ever-watchful.
6. Knowing Who to thank is important.
7. God is merciful.
8. Setting aside time for thanksgiving is important.
9. Being thankful together has power.
10. Thanksgiving is all-inclusive. Everyone can participate.
11. Thanksgiving is inevitably entwined with praise.
12. God is higher than we are.
Filed under Soul + Spirit | Comment (1)“The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God…
They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens…”
~ Abraham Lincoln, October 3, 1863
5th Day of Thanksgiving: Haley Hears a Who
I’m realizing that the Who in Thanksgiving makes all the difference. I’ve been thinking through lists of things I’m thankful for, which I’m sure I’ll share as the days move toward Turkey Day. I’ve been eager to cultivate a grateful heart for the little and big things in my life that produce joy, peace and blessing. But, I have to admit that I’m finding it a little empty. Yes, recognizing those people and things is rewarding, and the experiences with them are good to savor. But, people and things come and go. Thanksgiving really gains its power when it pushes me to recognize and praise the WHO responsible for my blessings large and small. Like faith, thankfulness is at its most potent when it has an object.
One of Little Drummer Boy’s favorite bedtime story books is his Rhyme Bible (which I highly recommend.) It includes a story about how God fulfilled His promise to Abraham and gave him a son. Our favorite part is the last page, where “Abraham jumped for joy, when he saw his baby boy.” At this point, LDB always asks, “why did he lose his shoes?” The illustration literally depicts how Abraham must have felt when God’s gift truly knocked his socks (and shoes) off. When I look back at the actual promise God made to Abraham years before his son was born, I’m reminded of His purpose in blessing Abraham.
“And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing.” (genesis 12:2)
Blessed to be a blessing–that was God’s promise. If adopting a life of gratitude is to have a true impact on me in the day to day realities, being thankful is just the seed. To become a blessing is the fruition. Knowing the Who who made it possible enables the cultivation in between. With all blessings of peace, joy, grace, mercy and love–those most-sought-after and precious gifts–we can only give out of our own overflow. And, my ability to bless others begins with a commitment to bless the Lord first. So, who is this Who drawing my eyes upward in thanksgiving? We know Him by His actions:
He pardons… bringing the sweet restoration of forgiveness, the freedom of a clean slate in a world that takes names
He heals… applying the gentle balm of repair, the relief of wholeness in a world with open wounds
He redeems… repurchasing the squandered wealth of life, the hope of second chances in a world built on “all sales final”
He crowns… bestowing the undeserved protection of mercy, the birthright of belonging in a world of refugees
He satisfies… enabling the simple generosity of contentment, the joy of open hands in a world with a white knuckle grip
Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
(psalm 103:1-5)
With all that is within me, indeed. May I freely bless as He blesses?
Filed under Soul + Spirit, Verse Views | Comment (0)Thinking About Thanksgiving
My children have a collection of Peanuts movies that sometimes rotate to the top of their favorite requests–requests that send us flying through the calendar celebrating various holidays at crazy times. Last week we were celebrating Thanksgiving with repeated viewings of “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” and “The Mayflower Voyages.” I like Peanuts. Mr. Schulz was not above using the words “God” or “blockhead” in a children’s program when appropriate. I like that.
“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” is the story of how Peppermint Patty invites herself and several friends over to Charlie Brown’s house for Thanksgiving dinner. It’s a celebration of how fast Snoopy can make buttered toast, how “wishy-washy” Charlie Brown can be and how bulldozer-like Peppermint Patty can be. In the immortal words of our wishy-washy friend in the striped shirt, “You can’t explain anything to Peppermint Patty because you never get to say anything.”
In the end, Marcie reminds us that, “thanksgiving is more than eating… we should just be thankful for being together. I think that’s what they mean by thanksgiving, Charlie Brown.” How true.
In looking back through some of my past journals, reviewing signposts on my inner journey that may have been forgotten, I’ve been reminded that a thankful attitude is one way to right our view of others and usher in intimacy–with one another and with God. When difficult times, discouragement or my own wrong attitudes take a toll on my closeness with God, thanksgiving becomes the key to being together again.
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations.” (psalm 100:4-5)
Thanksgiving helps us to enter God’s presence. It is the gateway that leads to His courts. It is the starting point in setting our attitude and vision of God straight when it may have gotten off track. When we approach God with thanksgiving, we acknowledge Who is responsible for our blessings, our salvation, our life. Thanking God for the things He has done for us and for Who He is to us silences a complaining and questioning spirit. It makes communion with Him possible.
Thanksgiving helps to dispel doubts about God that may have crept in because it focuses our attention on how His true character has been manifested in our lives in tangible ways. In recognizing His true character, we are able to enter His courts with praise. By developing a heart of gratitude toward God, we give Him credit for His goodness in our lives. If I choose to thank God, I choose to recognize His faithfulness. I can see that He proves His own character by his goodness, lovingkindness and faithfulness in my life.
Thanksgiving opens the gate to praise, which leads me to the place where God resides. Complaints are forsaken. Doubts are put to rest. Closeness is restored. And, it’s not even November.
Filed under Soul + Spirit, Verse Views | Comment (0)
