And The Soul Felt Its Worth

Merry Christmas!! And Happy final day of the 12 Days of Blogmas!!

In the classic Christmas song, “Oh Holy Night”, there is the great line: “Long lay the world, in sin and error pining, Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.”

I’ve always liked that line, “the soul felt its worth.”

We as humans could never understand the nature of God or why He chose to love us enough to send His son to die for us. The nature of the love of God is just too different from our own flawed form of love to be able to grasp why He would even bother to try and reconcile with people who continue to reject Him.

But He chose to love us that much. That’s how much every soul that has ever lived is worth to Him.

To wrap up the 12 Days of Blogmas, I am once again taking a page out of Corrie Ten Boon’s book.

I’ve written several blog posts about one of my favorite individuals, Corrie Ten Boon, including one about the account of the Christmas she spent in Ravensbruck concentration camp.  In her book Corrie’s Christmas Memories, one of the happier stories that Corrie shares is about how her and her sister Betsie would alternate telling Christmas stories at the various holiday parties they would attend.  “At the first feast Betsie told the Christmas story of Luke 2, and I told a Christmas story. At the second one, we did the opposite – Betsie told a story, and I the story.”

Throughout the 12 days of Blogmas, I have shared several Christmas stories.  But I think I will follow Corrie’s example for this final blogmas post and share the Christmas Story.  Even though Jesus wasn’t likely born at Christmas and the holiday has evolved through history from traditions unrelated to Christianity, many still associate the holiday with the birth of Christ.  And anytime is a good time to celebrate His coming to earth to walk amongst humanity.

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2: 1-14

Peace and joy be with you this Christmas!