Chris Campbell
Restore us, O God of hosts;
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Beloved in the body of Christ,
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, the night in which we celebrate the birth of our salvation. For the last four weeks we have been suffering in penitent anticipation for the coming of our redemption, and now, in one more day He will be here!
How should we prepare such majesty, how can we prepare for true grace?
For me, finding fault in myself has always been easy, I am of flesh and sin. Penitence is harder though, it requires more than guilt, it requires the seeking of forgiveness. Accepting grace however, this is for me perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of the birth of Christ.
I am constantly drawn to George Herbert's poem:
Love bade me welcome. Yet my soul drew back
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,
If I lacked any thing.
A guest, I answered, worthy to be here:
Love said, You shall be he.
I the unkind, ungrateful? Ah my dear,
I cannot look on thee.
Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,
Who made the eyes but I?
Truth Lord, but I have marred them: let my shame
Go where it doth deserve.
And know you not, says Love, who bore the blame?
My dear, then I will serve.
You must sit down, says Love, and taste my meat:
So I did sit and eat.
Today I will prepare myself for Christmas by reminding myself constantly, that the gift given tomorrow—the gift of grace—is given by Love. And when that child of hope arrives, I will be prepared to hold Him in my heart!
Hallelujah!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
May you live in Truth, Peace, and Love,
—Chris Campbell