This morning my thoughts turned to wondering …… When will our first Christmas card arrive in the mail? Who will send the first one? The very first one this year? One thing I know for sure is that our card will never be the first to arrive in any mailbox. No matter how well intentioned I may be, I never seem to get them out early enough.
And then I found myself wondering …. What will be the most frequently used words in the cards this year?
“Peace on earth, good will to men.”
At the time of Jesus’ birth, these were the very words declared by the angels (found in Luke 2:14). They were referring to the fullness of blessing which the birth of our Savior would bring. Salvation. Well-being for His people. It was not just the absence of hostility or conflict.
Then rang the bells more loud and deep, God is not dead, nor doth He sleep.
Four centuries passed in which God was silent. Not a word. No prophecy given. The people had to be wondering, “Where is He?”. Yet the psalmist tells us, “Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:4) Every minute He is awake and attentive to His people. His silence is not indicative of inactivity. There will be a day when He will right every wrong.
The Christmas bells WILL ring this year as they have every year since His birth. Here’s the thing …..
And with our hearts we’ll hear them.
There are truths that we will only be able to hear with our hearts. Perhaps that is why Jesus prayed for our “hearing”: “Then Jesus said, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 4:9). He knew our hearts and ears need to work in conjunction with one another.
Open up your heart and hear them.
May we open our hearts to Him. May we hear all that He is saying to us this Advent season. “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord.” (Jeremiah 24:7).
These words can be found in the Christmas carol, “I Heard The Bells”. May they sink in deep as you listen. And may you bend in close to Him and hear Him for yourself!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7670CXvPX0&w=420&h=315]
Joining with …… Tuesdays Unwrapped and Walk Humbly With God and Tell Me A Story and Unite and Soli Deo Gloria and Titus 2sday and Teach Me Tues. and Women Helping Women and Testimony Tues. and Titus 2 Tues. and Tell His Story and Whimsical Wed. and Imperfect Prose .
What a wonderful way to begin my morning. My heart leaped with joy over your words! I wish my husband would not be gone for holiday’s but I’m learning how His timing is always perfect. I believe He is going to have me embrace this Advent season in a whole new way.
Love you, Joanne!
Beth – I pray that this Advent season would be special to you in unexpected ways. Grateful that the post encouraged you this morning. Hugs!
Hi Joanne
Yes, my friend, everyone can listen, but not everyone hears that sweet still voice of our Lord Jesus. We need to seek Him, draw near to Him and we will soon find him deep in our hearts!
Blessings XX
Mia
Mia, may we continue to draw near & hear His words in our heart. Blessings!
Love the sound of bells, especially Christmas bells. I have a bell collection, small but lovely. 🙂 You have written here so beautifully about hearing with our HEARTS…. thank you for this encouragement today. Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
So true! I love this encouragement and the song is perfect! My card will never be the first either….if I even get around to sending one out! Merry Christmas!
Beautiful post! “May we open our hearts to Him. May we hear all that He is saying to us this Advent season.” Amen.
So beautiful Joanne- as always. Love the way you broke up the carol and brought out the meaning in the words.
Thank you, Lori! I am being struck with the words of so many of the carols this year.
Joanne, this is one of my favorite times of the year! Love your reminder to really listen for the bells this year…to be present in the season…to grasp the magnificence of what the birth of Jesus really means. Good stuff, my friend! Thanks for linking up to Testimony Tuesday!
Holly, thank you. It was truly great to join you.
Hi Joanne! I love that first photo, it reminds me of the little cities in the Greek Islands.
And what can call our attention out of ourselves like bells? Deep and thoughtful, light and musical, they all call me to think about The Lord.
Peace be to you in the Holy Advent Season!
Ceil
Jo: I am once again reduced to tears…..thanking the Lord for the spiritual insight he has given you. I’m hoping to hear those bells in my heart.   Right now, the Holiday Season – Thanksgiving to Christmas – is very difficult for me and my family, as you know.  But, God’s love reigns supreme! Thank you, my dear friend, for being a Woman of God who continually blesses my life through the thoughts, feelings and words which are so much a part of His gift to you. Abundant Blessings; “Pressed Down, shaken together and running over”! Love U!Â
Angela – And you have reduced me to tears. I hold your encouragement near & dear. Thank you for being you!
I love you,
Jo
So beautiful!!! Love that song! I heard it Saturday night at the Gaither concert in Indianapolis, I forget whether it was the Martins or the Isaac’s, but if I remember right one of them did it a cappella….amazing. Especially when they get to that verse “….God is not dead nor does He sleep!!” Thank you for the reminder!!
I can only imagine how beautifully it was sung!
Such a beautiful post with a beautiful song dear Joanne! May our hearts be tuned to listen to Him every single moment! Blessings to you thisAadvent Season!!! Love, Natasha
I can’t imagine all that silence, I can’t think of anything worse, I’m so dependent on hearing His voice.. Loved your thoughts here Joanne.
Shelley, I do not do well with the silent treatment so it would have surely killed me. Like you, I am dependent upon His Word & would not want to go a day without it in my life. Thank you for stopping here & sharing with me.
Yes ring those bells and sing with the angels, Christ is born our king. Thank you for sharing with us here at “Tell Me a Story.”
Oh the sound of beautiful bells. My heart is open and I’m listening. Beautiful post!
Joanne,
what a beautiful song …thank you 🙂
Oh I love this song! Thanks for a beautiful post! Stopping by from TellHisStory, Blessings!
Ugh….my Christmas cards are scattered all over the dining room table! I doubt my cards will be the first to anyone’s house either this year! Glad I am not alone~! 😉 UNITED, Jen