The narrow trail can be rough and lonely.”
–Dan Arnold (Bear Creek)
“The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; he who keeps his way preserves his soul.”
“The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; he who keeps his way preserves his soul.”
–Proverbs 16:17(NKJV)
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Brrr, when I think of winter I think of cold and snow. Not so much now that I have lived in Texas for several years, but I have memories of those cold winters in Colorado, as my wife does of Pennsylvania. The winter solstice, the 21st of the year. Brrr.
In light of that I want to bring you a song by Michael Martin Murphy. It is a Christmas carol, but there is sentiment in the song. It reminds me of winters of the past, of Christmases of the past, and of my childhood and youth. I remember the days of having to work in the cold, to shovel snow, ahhh, but then there are the times of playing “king of the mountain”, or ice-skating on the lake, and sledding down the hills.
That ol’ north wind
Howlin’ high up in the timber
The only choir that I remember
When I was ridin’ on the line.
One lone star hangin’ over the horizon
Like the one that led the wise men
As they followed heaven’s sign.
Snow-capped peaks
Like the angels and their glory
Seem to sing the old time story
As the wind blows through the pines.
Driftin’ along, the sounds of spurs jingling
Like silver bells ringing
Christmas on the line.
We must remember that Joseph and Mary didn’t understand the concept of Christmas. They knew they were chosen for something special, that the Child was given to them by God. I have often wondered about their thoughts, but no matter they couldn’t have known the fullness of what was taking place. Was it cold in the stable in Bethlehem that night? We don’t know, but surely it was a bit drafty. The smell probably wasn’t so great, and they for sure weren’t expecting visitors.
No mid-wife, no hot water (in the movies there is always the need of hot water), no comfort except what they had in their heart. Did God give them a special peace and joy when Jesus was born or was it like any other baby born under dire circumstances?
We make what we want out of circumstances. The spurs reminded the cowboy in the song of bells, the bells of Christmas. A star in the horizon–the snow-capped peaks sang a song to him as he traveled to the line shack to spend Christmas alone. But truly never alone. The angels are there whether we see them or not. The joy of ringing bells is there if not actually heard, but only in the heart. The peace and joy from the Lord is there. Dare, in your situation this year, to reach out and accept the heavenly Gift. If you do, the sounds of Christmas will resound throughout your soul.
———————————–
Brrr, when I think of winter I think of cold and snow. Not so much now that I have lived in Texas for several years, but I have memories of those cold winters in Colorado, as my wife does of Pennsylvania. The winter solstice, the 21st of the year. Brrr.
In light of that I want to bring you a song by Michael Martin Murphy. It is a Christmas carol, but there is sentiment in the song. It reminds me of winters of the past, of Christmases of the past, and of my childhood and youth. I remember the days of having to work in the cold, to shovel snow, ahhh, but then there are the times of playing “king of the mountain”, or ice-skating on the lake, and sledding down the hills.
That ol’ north wind
Howlin’ high up in the timber
The only choir that I remember
When I was ridin’ on the line.
One lone star hangin’ over the horizon
Like the one that led the wise men
As they followed heaven’s sign.
Snow-capped peaks
Like the angels and their glory
Seem to sing the old time story
As the wind blows through the pines.
Driftin’ along, the sounds of spurs jingling
Like silver bells ringing
Christmas on the line.
We must remember that Joseph and Mary didn’t understand the concept of Christmas. They knew they were chosen for something special, that the Child was given to them by God. I have often wondered about their thoughts, but no matter they couldn’t have known the fullness of what was taking place. Was it cold in the stable in Bethlehem that night? We don’t know, but surely it was a bit drafty. The smell probably wasn’t so great, and they for sure weren’t expecting visitors.
No mid-wife, no hot water (in the movies there is always the need of hot water), no comfort except what they had in their heart. Did God give them a special peace and joy when Jesus was born or was it like any other baby born under dire circumstances?
We make what we want out of circumstances. The spurs reminded the cowboy in the song of bells, the bells of Christmas. A star in the horizon–the snow-capped peaks sang a song to him as he traveled to the line shack to spend Christmas alone. But truly never alone. The angels are there whether we see them or not. The joy of ringing bells is there if not actually heard, but only in the heart. The peace and joy from the Lord is there. Dare, in your situation this year, to reach out and accept the heavenly Gift. If you do, the sounds of Christmas will resound throughout your soul.