For all the turmoil in the headlines, all the challenges in our lives, nothing will stop us from remembering the coming holyday.
And why? Because ...
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.
Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased its joy; they rejoice before thee as with joy at the harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, thou hast broken as on the day of Mid'ian.
For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
(Isaiah 9:2-7)
There are a fair number of flash mob videos on YouTube rendering the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's Messiah, but the favorite of yours truly remains this one from 2010, at an unidentified food court of an equally unidentified shopping mall. (I have committed most of the tenor part to memory, and would not have hesitated to join in.)
The plans of men to the contrary are all for naught, for the LORD has come upon the earth. The epicenter of human history is played out again in the next 24 hours. No earthly force can stop that which is beyond earthly means.
And so it goes.
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“O You Who Are Seated Upon The Cherubim, Lord God of Hosts: come, show Your face, and we shall be saved.”
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This entire series can be found in progress at the "xmasnovena2024” tag.
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