Just after Thanksgiving, radio stations make an abrupt turn and start playing Christmas carols. I simultaneously hear people complaining and applauding how stores are dragging out Christmas earlier and earlier each year. Yet, I secretly hit play on may favorite songs year round because I love the messages of hope they bring (and I know all about how my partner in ministry--Julie--also finds ways to celebrate Christmas year round, too...ahem sunflower tree). Each carol's tune is unique, but do you ever think about the words of Christmas carols?
This coming weekend, Julie and I will be talking about "A Thrill of Hope." If you don't recognize this excerpt, it's from the first verse of "Oh Holy Night."
When Julie and I were approached by Carol and Serena to speak at this event, Carol explained that God was talking to her about this song. As we got talking and really started to unpack the song and look at the words, we started to have some serious conversations about how this song is talking about the coming of Jesus. Now, just to give a bit of a preview, we are only going to unpack the first verse. Each verse has unique significance, but we picked up on a theme of struggle we notice in society today; we realized that we live in a world where a lot of people feel weary and worn down. Good news: No one has to feel that way!
Best advice my Uncle Morris ever gave me: Look up. Look up to to Jesus. Jesus was born to overcome the sin of the world!
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. --John 3:16
There is good news about the hope an joy Jesus brings. His birth is significant, and I'm not giving anything away by telling sharing that the love of Jesus and his sacrifice overcomes the sin of the world!
I can't really tell you yet what's in our message on Saturday; that would give away the surprise. This is just a sneak peak, but we will share about all of the hope and rejoicing in one song about the birth of Jesus. (Actually, one verse of one song.) You'll have to come to lunch to find out about the rest of the message. If you do, I promise you will get to eat some really great food, get to meet some really great women, get prayed over, and get to hear Julie and Michelle sing! Most importantly, you will get to draw closer to Jesus.
I hope you will come join us for this stellar event! Bring a hygeine item to support the residents of Abbott House and a salad to share--or just come and enjoy the day! I hope to see you there!
Wishing you many blessings and hope for the seaon,
Michelle
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