When Mary birthed Jesus, 'twas in a cow's stall
With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all
But high from God's heaven, a star's light did fall
And the promise of ages it then did recall

If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing
A star in the sky or a bird on the wing
Or all of God's angels in heav'n for to sing
He surely could have it, 'cause He was the King

I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus the Savior did come for to die
For poor ornery people like you and like I
I wonder as I wander out under the sky

This is one of my favorite Christmas songs... Not only because it is beautiful... And because I like winter skies full of stars... When I sing this, I see myself walking with snow crunching beneath my feet, and a glorious heaven of stars made by a magnificent Creator... 

Yet the story doesn't stop there.. The God of the whole universe.. loved the world, loved me  us poor ornery people, like you and like I... so much He sent His only Son.. to the earth, to become man... To die for my sins, to bring me into a relationship with Himself... And so I wonder as I wander... as John said "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God."

This wonderful Creator sent His Only Son to die.  Tiz a great mystery.

Liz (TheKingdomComes)

(Robert Murray McCheyne / Adapted by Matthew Smith)

When this passing world is done.

When has sunk yon’ glaring sun.

When we stand with Christ in glory

Looking o’er life’s finished story.

Then, Lord, shall I fully know –

Not till then – how much I owe.

 

            And all I owe you paid for me.

            From all I owe I’ve been set free,

            And all I owe proves your great mercy to me.

 

When I stand before your throne

Dressed in beauty not my own,

When I see you as you are,

Love you with unsinning heart,

Then Lord, shall I fully know –

Not till then – how much I owe.

 

            And all I owe you paid for me.

            From all I owe I’ve been set free,

            And all I owe proves your great mercy to me.

 

Chosen not for good in me.

Wakened up from wrath to flee.

Hidden in the Savior’s side.

By the Spirit sanctified.

Teach me, Lord, on earth to show

By my love how much I owe. 

 

            And all I owe you paid for me.

            From all I owe I’ve been set free,

            And all I owe proves your great mercy to me.

“If you sin is small, your savior will be small also.  But if you sin is great, then your Savior must be great.”

- Charles Haddon Spurgeon

The greatness of our God, and the devastating extent of our sin are inescapably linked. 

Often we turn the Christian life into a game of hide-and-seek.  We convince others and ourselves that we are better Christians because of how little we sin - or how little we can convince them of.

When we play this game, we discourage our brothers and sisters who have not “reached our level.”  We rob ourselves of the true joy gained through an honest relationship with our Savior.   Most of all, we rob God of his glory. 

If our sins truly are trivial and manageable in our own strength, then His work of redemption was a trivial and unnecessary act.  In reality, the immenseness of our sin is exposed to God.  His perfect justice condemned us, but His perfect love found a way to redeem us.

If we are honest with each other about our sin, there is a very real chance we will open ourselves up to being hurt.  At the same time, openness offers us the challenge and opportunity to be the body of Christ – rejoicing with those who rejoice, and mourning with those who mourn.  (Romans 12:15)  It also gives us the opportunity to see God really working in the lives of real people. 

And He gets all the glory.

-David

(Note: This song is an adaptation of an older hymn by Robert Murray McCheyne.)