We’ve flipped the calendar and here we are, entering Advent. So, we begin to sing the old familiar hymn…
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
(“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” Wesley, C., 1739)
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Lk. 2:14 ESV).
So often, we sing this carol and hear this Scripture but when we’re suffering, daggers can attack our thoughts: “Pleased? How could You be pleased with me, Lord? Are you pleased with me? Could this suffering mean that You aren’t pleased with me? Where is the peace You promised? How can I have peace when I’m suffering at Christmas?”
Peace in suffering at Christmas, in the gospel of Jesus Christ
Lord, please remind us of the gospel as we re-turn again to Your cleansing and true peace, to cherishing You this Advent and Christmas season. Help us to interrupt our suffering with praise to You as we rehearse the gospel of peace, through this “praise interruption.” In the name of our Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, amen.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23 ESV).
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn. 1:9 ESV).
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit (1 Pet. 3:18 ESV).
“Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Hallelujah, You’ve given me peace with You…in Christ!
That is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them (2 Cor. 5:19 ESV).
And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,
he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death,
in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him (Col. 1:20-22 ESV, emphasis added).
Rejoicing in reconciliation with You, Lord!
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies!
Through [Jesus Christ] we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand,
and we rejoice
in hope of the glory of God (Rom. 5:2 ESV).
With th’angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Finding peace in suffering at Christmas…in Christ
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace (Rom. 8:6 ESV).
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life (Jn. 5:24 ESV).
[Jesus says,] “I have said these things to you, that in me you may
have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33 ESV).
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Resources for those suffering at Christmas-time
Sister in Christ, suffering at Christmas is profoundly difficult. We grieve, we wonder how we’ll manage to “do Christmas” with our families, we miss, we stress, we lament. When my body breaks from illness, or I’m upset over my sin, or grieving loss, finding peace at Christmas comes by setting my mind on Jesus and joining the angelic host in praise to Him.
Singing of the wonder of God’s grace, I remember He is pleased with me as His beloved daughter who is in Christ. Singing of God’s reconciling me to Himself in everlasting peace becomes deep peace…even when everything feels like un-peace. So, let’s sing of our unchanging peace with God, into our suffering this Christmas! Glory to God in the highest!
This week’s playlist gift is filled with Christmas carols, hymns, and songs! But it is also one that is music-therapy-inspired, as the music itself may assist our bodies to feel calmer and more peaceful, physically.
It is sung Christmas prayer, honest with Him in the suffering we carry into this Christmas season. It is cradle and cross, all fixed on Jesus, who is Himself our sure hope and peace as those who are united with Him. “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all” (2 Thess. 3:16 ESV, emphasis added). I pray that the gospel-centered resources of “Singing Christ’s Hope” will become His gifts to you or a loved one who is suffering this year.
For weekly prayer and Christ-exalting playlist of Scriptural songs to sing, sign up here:
To hear Scripture with calming hymn playing, click here for YouTube podcast.
Devotional Bible study prayer journals, available here. Click picture to read description.
2 Comments
Mandy Farmer · December 3, 2022 at 8:02 pm
I love your website. Your Theme. Your devotional.
Sharla Tinsen sent me your way. She thought we had much in common. And I think she is right.
I’m working on a devotional book for the Chronically ill.
My Theme is Finding Harmony With Our Pain.
Lauri Hogle · December 4, 2022 at 6:53 am
Mandy, what a joy to meet you here and I can’t wait to walk alongside one another as we look to Jesus. Chronic illness and pain are such difficult sufferings, but singing of our hope in Christ has been God’s tremendous gift to me in that journey. For many reasons! Praying with you, for your words!
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