O Holy night

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Saviour?s birth
 
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth
 
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
 
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine 
O night, o night divine

"Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth..." It was lunchtime. I was listening to this record in the office. It was not until Jesus appeared in my life that my soul felt its worth.
For all that I am and all that I am not, He loves me. At that very moment, from the innermost recesses of my heart, I yielded completely to His love.
In the heavenly, the angelic hosts announcing, no, trumpeting the love of God for all mankind.
"Fall on your knees... O hear the angel voices...O night divine...O night when Christ was born..."

Two others, both criminals, were taken along with him for execution. When they got to the place called Skull Hill, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left.  Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them; they don't know what they are doing. " Luke 23: 32-34 The Message. One of the criminals hanging alongside cursed him: "Some Messiah you are! Save yourself!     Save us!" But the other one made him shut up: "Have you no fear of God? You're getting the same as him. We deserve this, but not him - he did nothing to deserve this." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom." He said, "Don't worry, I will. Today you will join me in paradise." Luke 23: 39-43 The Message.

A last minute request granted. No work needed, no good deeds to redeem oneself. Merely by faith alone. Wholly by grace alone. This is the reason for Christmas, this is the gospel of Jesus Christ.          For the Jew as well as the Gentile. For Christians and non-Christians. For the righteous and the unrighteous. For the good and the wicked.  For the powerful and the weak. For the untouchable and for the reputable. For the healthy and the sick. For the rich and the poor. For both gay and straight people. For every tribe, every nation. For anyone who would believe, who would receive His love.

Sv   ".+