o holy night...

is hands down, my favorite Christmas carol. I felt inclined to share it here after its loveliness hit me again in a whole new light on Sunday and the words have been running through my heart all week. It's truly magnificent: we can come to Christmas empty-handed and be filled with the comfort of Jesus' coming to earth to freely fill us with His all-sufficient grace and love. Everything else--the hustle, bustle, decorations, presents, and cookies are ultimately details, sometimes even distraction.
May your heart be filled with + focused on this same simple joy this season {and every season}.

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Savior's birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining. Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices! O night divine, the night when Christ was born; O night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand. O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming, Now come the wisemen from Orient land. The King of kings lay thus lowly manger; In all our trials born to be our friend. He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger, Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

Merry Christmas sweet friends!! we are jet-setting today to visit our family + friends in Spokane this week. I'll be back in the new year! Can't even wait for what's in store for 2011.