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Wednesday, December 16, 2020

In Spite of Bitter-Sweeter or While We Ate Eggs



A few conversations with sisters/friends had me contemplating how much
bitter-sweeter this Christmas seems without the joy of family and friend get-togethers;
how photos in the mail are bittersweet; how keeping the enthusiasm
in much modified plans is bittersweet!

Then, nothing like children to shift our focus...



Why are you listening to this song? asked little Girl 
through mouth full of scrambled egg.

Um, because it talks about Immanuel, I answered...
(I love the words to the song below)

 

Matt.1:23
"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, 
and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us").

...so, while we ate eggs we talked about God; 
God With Us, Immanuel
no matter what, or where or when we are never alone!
God is with us all the time so we don't need to be scared or too sad.
How often as I try to teach children my words preach to me...


Bitter-sweeter ring the anthems of the worship we employ 
Gratitude and longing duel in Hope’s bitter-sweeter joy 
As wonder and hunger mingle in a bitter-sweeter trust 
Where an ocean of emotion rolls through mankind’s Soul-full dust 

From the heart of Love Unfailing to this groaning, broken world 
Hope Immortal keeps its promise in each breath-banner unfurled 
Through the Christ-child, born of Mary, in a stable so forlorn 
Came man’s Scapegoat, our pardon, on that first glad Christmas morn 

Bitter-sweeter bow the branches laden with fresh fallen snow 
Mirroring the heart that gazes on a scene of long ago 
Where still faithful through the ages gleams the Star that cannot dim 
As from bitter-sweeter places we still come to worship Him 

Come, and raise a hymn of gladness to He who came to atone 
Praise Immanuel, God With Us, we are never all alone 
Praise the One whose name is Jesus, come to save people from sin 
So the bitter blight of Eden, by God’s mercy will not win 

Hallelujah, hallelujah, bitter-sweeter flows our hymn 
As we gaze upon the Christ-child who would be torn limb from limb 
Where love, faithful to his Father did not scorn salvation’s plan 
But obeyed salvation’s Author; Son of God born son of man 

Hallelujah, hallelujah, praise He who has overcome 
Greater is the One within us than this world’s most mighty sum 
He, who came to earth to save us with love none can comprehend 
Will not leave us or forsake us but is our most faithful Friend 

© Janet Martin 


Matt 1:21

She will give birth to a son, 
and you are to give him the name Jesus, 
because he will save his people from their sins."




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I hope you enjoyed your pause on this porch and thank-you for your visit!