This week’s Christmas carol resonates. It sings of tragedy, tribulation, suffering upon suffering. It sings of the evil wreckage that we all experience in this fallen and broken world that’s groaning under the weight of sin and its effects on everyone.
Including believers in Christ.
But it also sings of our hope in tragedy, in war, in illness, in every type of suffering, and in death itself.
Beloved in Christ, the veil between His heavenly throne and our current earthly experience is gossamer thin. As we look backward to our many losses, as we bend weary today, yet also look forward to our sure and promised future as those who are unified with Christ…
Can we hear the angels sing of our Lord Jesus today?
Praying this “praise interruption” helps us do so, as we both suffer this Christmas season.
Can we hear the angels sing of our King Jesus?
It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old…
(“It Came Upon the Midnight Clear,” Sears, E. H., 1849)
And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures,
and they fell on their faces before the throne
and worshiped God, saying, “Amen!”
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to men,
from heav’n’s all-gracious King”…
Can we join the angels in singing of our peace with our Father, through Christ Jesus?
the world in solemn stillness lay
to hear the angels sing.
Still through the cloven skies they come,
with peaceful wings unfurled!
Can we sing with the angels to our glorious, enthroned Savior Jesus?
Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory (1 Tim. 3:16 ESV).
and still their heav’nly music floats
o’er all the weary world…
above its sad and lowly plains
they bend on hov’ring wing,
and ever o’er its Babel sounds
the blessed angels sing.
Can we hear the angels sing of our blessed hope as those who belong to Christ?
And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God” (Rev. 19:9 ESV).
And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
whose forms are bending low,
who toil along the climbing way
with painful steps and slow,
look now! for glad and golden hours
come swiftly on the wing:
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats (Mt. 25:31-32 ESV).
O rest beside the weary road
and hear the angels sing.
Can we share the angels’ song of gospel good news with others who are also suffering in this world’s tribulation?
For lo, the days are hast’ning on,
by prophet bards foretold…
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound (Is. 61:1 ESV).
when with the ever-circling years
comes round the age of gold…
to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us,
when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels (2 Thess. 1:7 ESV).
when peace shall over all the earth
its ancient splendors fling…
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD,
that he
may be glorified (Is. 61:2-3 ESV).
and the whole world give back the song
which now the angels sing.
And [Jesus] rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Lk. 4:20-21 ESV).
Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders
the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands saying with a loud voice,
Amen!
A playlist gift of Christmas songs to sing along with the angels, as we suffer
Singing honestly about this suffering Christmas is God’s gift to us. At the same time, singing of our great hope in Christ is His greater gift. Let’s sing Christmas worship songs back to Him with the angels who, wonder of wonders, are singing to our risen and reigning Lord Jesus right now!
Might He help us endure our current tribulation BY singing the angels’ songs back to Him?!
If this would bless you too, sign up below and it will come to your email, with my love and many prayers as we email back and forth. This suffering sister in Christ sings through tears, along with you.
To read more of Lauri’s writing, you can use her devotional Bible study lament prayer journals: Praying God’s Promises Into Suffering, or Near to God: A Devotional Bible Study of God’s Character as We Suffer, or Singing the Gospel to Job: Finding Hope in Suffering. In the Valleys of God’s Love is written for children aged 3-8, a perfect read for grandparents, parents, and children to share together, preparing them for suffering to come.
For Scripture devotionals, calming hymns, and encouragement from Lauri, click here for YouTube channel
For those suffering from chronic illness and pain, cancer, anxiety or depression, this music therapy-inspired podcast of Scripture and hymns helps to calm symptoms
