Towel & Basin

Over the past three years, news reports of death and destruction - to both persons and planet - have been overwhelming. Well, candidly, for me at times, depressing.

But in moments of despair, I remind myself of the almost unimaginable message and meaning of Christmas:

God chose to become flesh and live with us.

And in moments of doubt, I strive to lean on - and into - that first Christmas greeting announced by the angel and a heavenly choir:

Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

This transformational, divine declaration is well summarized in a traditional English Christmas carol:

God rest you merry, gentlemen,
let nothing you dismay;
remember Christ, our Savior
was born on Christmas Day
to save us all from Satan's pow'r
when we were gone astray.

Refrain:
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

From God our heav'nly Father
a blessed angel came
and unto certain shepherds
brought tidings of the same,
how that in Bethlehem was born
the son of God by name. [Refrain]

"Fear not," then said the angel,
"let nothing you affright;
this day is born a Savior,
the true and radiant light,
to free all those who trust in him
from Satan's pow'r and might." [Refrain]

Now to the Lord sing praises,
all you within this place,
and in true love and fellowship
each other now embrace;
this holy tide of Christmas
is filled with heav'nly grace. [Refrain]

Until recently, I did not know that originally there was no comma after "merry." Why? Well, simply because "merry" was not a modifier of "gentlemen." The historic meaning of the phrase "God rest you merry" is 'may God grant you peace and happiness'; the Oxford English Dictionary records uses of this phrase

So, amid all the other news, I invite you to join me in reading this good news post:

Tags: 12 Days of Christmas, Christmas, Christmas greetings, Christmastide