I have a favorite Christmas carol, how about you?
Mine is definitely, In the Bleak Midwinter.
And lately? This song has got me to thinking.
First, about the lines:
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Earth stood hard as iron…
We have just had our first snow here in our northern mountains and everything is beautiful; draped in a fresh mantle of white.
But while the view out my windows is breathtaking?
I don’t want midwinter’s hardness to enter my heart…
So our Christmas carol continues,
Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and Seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshiped the beloved with a kiss.
We have all been working on spreading HOPE these past few weeks, fueled by the words from Emilie Barnes’ wonderful book, A Cup of Hope, and also our hope-FULL promises from God’s Word.
God’s promises: Encourage us to love and good deeds!
- But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless. Galatians 5: 22-23 TPT
- Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes! 1 Peter 4 9-11 MSG
- The eyes of the Lord are upon even the weakest worshipers who love him— those who wait in hope and expectation for the strong, steady love of God. Psalm 33:18 TPT
- The Lord alone is our radiant hope and we trust in him with all our hearts. His wraparound presence will strengthen us. Psalm 33:20 TPT
- Lord, never forget the promises you’ve made to me, for they are my hope and confidence. Psalm 119:49 TPT
- He’s the hope that holds me and the stronghold to shelter me, the only God for me, and my great confidence. Psalm 91:2 TPT
Women With Destiny 