The decorations are up (well, the candles are in the windows at least) and it’s time for some classic Christmas music! So here, for the first Sunday of Advent, is one of my favorites (performed by a favorite too!). May we all find ‘our rest in [Jesus] – Israel’s strength and consolation’ this Christmas season!
Come, Thou long-expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us
Let us find our rest in Thee
Israel’s strength and consolation
Hope of all the earth Thou art
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of every longing heart
Born Thy people to deliver
Born a child and yet a King
Born to reign in us forever
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring
By Thine own eternal spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone
By Thine own sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne
I often fail, but still – this is my prayer. My longing…
With every breath I long to follow Jesus
For He has said that He will bring me home
And day by day I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne
What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer
There is no more for heaven now to give
He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom
My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
For my life is wholly bound to His
Oh how strange and divine, I can sing: all is mine
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
The night is dark but I am not forsaken
For by my side, the Savior He will stay
I labor on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need, His power is displayed
To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley He will lead
Oh the night has been won, and I shall overcome
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven
The future sure, the price it has been paid
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And He was raised to overthrow the grave
To this I hold, my sin has been defeated
Jesus now and ever is my plea
Oh the chains are released, I can sing: I am free
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
With every breath I long to follow Jesus
For He has said that He will bring me home
And day by day I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
Yes – it’s a crazy world out there! And if it seems crazy to me, I can only imagine how crazy-scary life can be to young hearts. This hymn was written for those young, tender hearts – but what a great reminder that I do indeed have ‘a rock when I can go”. Praying you do also!
When my heart is filled with fear
Like a stormy sky
Jesus says “be not afraid”
He is at my side
Chorus
There’s a rock where I can go
Keeps me safe and this I know
Deep within my troubled soul
Jesus calms the storm
When my thoughts are tossed and turned
Like a raging sea
I will listen to His voice
He will comfort me
Chorus
There’s a rock where I can go
Keeps me safe and this I know
Deep within my troubled soul
Jesus calms the storm
When I feel the shame of sin
Like a crashing wave
My Redeemer rescues me
By His grace I’m saved
Chorus
There’s a rock where I can go
Keeps me safe and this I know
Deep within my troubled soul
Jesus calms the storm
He who rules the wind and waves
Soon will come again
Oh take courage little heart
Every storm will end
Chorus
There’s a rock where I can go
Keeps me safe and this I know
Deep within my troubled soul
Jesus calms the storm
There’s a rock where I can go
Keeps me safe and this I know
Deep within my troubled soul
Jesus calms the storm
Jesus calms the storm
Sometimes on a Sunday afternoon, I just put in my earbuds, and listen to my favorite Pandora station of modern hymns and worship songs. Ah, sweet bliss! I had never heard this one before – maybe it’s new for you too? – but I found great truth in the lyrics.
There will never be another
In whose name we are redeemed
Oh the precious love of Jesus
Pouring out for you and me
There is forgiveness flowing down
From where the savior died
The son of man upon the tree
Exchanging death for life
See Him there in innocence
The body and the blood
Behold the King, crucified
Spotless lamb of God
Oh the precious love of Jesus
Oh the fount of grace divine
Flowing as a mighty river
Washing sinners in its tide
There will never be another
In whose name we are redeemed
Oh the precious love of Jesus
Pouring out for you and me
Sin and death crushed underneath
The weight of nailed pierced hands
He plundered hell and tore the veil
As creation held its breath
Then on the morning of the third
The Son began to rise
Up from the grave, victorious
Hallelujah, He’s alive
Oh the precious love of Jesus
Oh the fount of grace divine
Flowing as a mighty river
Washing sinners in its tide
There will never be another
In whose name we are redeemed
Oh the precious love of Jesus
Pouring out for you and me
He is worthy
He is worthy
Worthy is the Lamb
Sing forever
Hallelujah
Worthy is the Lamb