We have our Christmas tree up now. It was wonderful to decorate it together for Family Home Evening last Monday.
I had so looked forward to cuddling a newborn son as we celebrate Christmas this year. To hold him while pondering the birth of our precious Savior would have been so delightful. But I almost wonder if the grief that fills my heart this year makes Christmas even more meaningful and gives it a deeper joy.
The words of a song that Mandy sent me fit my feelings right now perfectly:
Green leaves are fallen, withered and dry;
Brief sunset fading, dim winter sky;
Lengthening shadows, dark closing in;
Then through the stillness, carols begin.
O fallen world, to you is the song!
Death holds you fast, and night tarries long.
Jesus is born, your curse to destroy;
Sweet to your ears, a carol of joy!
Pale moon ascending, solemn and slow;
Cold, barren hillside, shrouded in snow;
Deep empty valley, veiled by the night:
Hear angel music, hopeful and bright.
O fearful world, to you is the song!
Peace with your God, and pardon for wrong.
Tidings for sinners, burdened and bound,
Carol of joy, a Savior is found!
Earth wrapped in sorrow, lift up your eyes!
Thrill to the chorus filling the skies.
Look up, sad-hearted! Witness God's love;
Join in the carol swelling above!
O friendless world, to you is the song!
All heaven's joy to you may belong!
You who are lonely, laden, forlorn:(O fallen, O fearful world, O friendless
world, to you . . .)
Now unto you, (Carol of joy, now unto you . . .) a Savior is
born!
--Text by Eileen Berry--Music by Dan Forrest, b. 1978
Brief sunset fading, dim winter sky;
Lengthening shadows, dark closing in;
Then through the stillness, carols begin.
O fallen world, to you is the song!
Death holds you fast, and night tarries long.
Jesus is born, your curse to destroy;
Sweet to your ears, a carol of joy!
Pale moon ascending, solemn and slow;
Cold, barren hillside, shrouded in snow;
Deep empty valley, veiled by the night:
Hear angel music, hopeful and bright.
O fearful world, to you is the song!
Peace with your God, and pardon for wrong.
Tidings for sinners, burdened and bound,
Carol of joy, a Savior is found!
Earth wrapped in sorrow, lift up your eyes!
Thrill to the chorus filling the skies.
Look up, sad-hearted! Witness God's love;
Join in the carol swelling above!
O friendless world, to you is the song!
All heaven's joy to you may belong!
You who are lonely, laden, forlorn:(O fallen, O fearful world, O friendless
world, to you . . .)
Now unto you, (Carol of joy, now unto you . . .) a Savior is
born!
--Text by Eileen Berry--Music by Dan Forrest, b. 1978
How grateful I am for "the bright and morning star," our precious Savior (Revelation 22:16)! I can't wait to hold my sweet baby again!
5 comments:
What beautiful lyrics! You are a true example of optimism and not letting circumstances we can't control effect our attitude. Did Chris lift him up to the top of the tree to put the star up?
You WILL hold Benjamin again!! We love you guys!!
I agree with Amy--the lyrics are beautiful! Would love to hear the music! How sweet seeing your "boys" decorate the tree! Wasn't too many years ago all of you were doing the same. Now Joseph will help us decorate ours tonight. I love you!
Thanks for sharing your tree decorating experience. It looks like everyone had a nice time. I can imagine that you had beautiful Christmas music playing....Are those pictures of Benjamin on your wall behind the tree? It is beautiful the way you have them arranged. I have to agree with Josh and Amy in saying that "you are a true example of optimism." Your example keeps me lifted up! I love you and think of you every day!
Thank you for the sweet comments. I love you all !!! I can't express how much I love hearing from you and the loving things you say. I want to be better about keeping in touch!
Yep, I have a shot of Chris lifting Hyrum up to the tree, but Hyrum's shirt came up and his belly is exposed, and so I decided not to use that one. :)
We did have Christmas music playing. It's a tradition to have MoTab Cmas music while we decorate the tree, just like when I was growing up. Isn't it funny how it doesn't feel like Christmas unless you have certain ingredients from your childhood?
There's a link to hear the music to that song. Let's see. . .here it is: http://www.danforrest.com/?page_id=65 (click on "Carol of Joy" under the Audio Files menu.)
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