DAY 17 Still Pining

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.  For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.  For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.  And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.  (Romans 8:18-23)

“Long lay the world in sin and error pining, ‘till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.”  Sometimes we forget.  The very world was cursed when Adam and Eve chose to disobey the single command of God and the world still waits for its final redemption in the New Heavens and the New Earth.  But the soul felt its worth as, through Christ, it turned back to the God it had long since reject.  Through His Spirit we experience the first fruits of our redemption which will be completed when upon his second advent he transforms our mortal bodies into immortal ones.

O Holy Night

 O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Savior’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 angels voices!

O night divine! O night when Christ was born.

O night, O holy night, O night divine.

 Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming;
With glowing hearts by his cradle we stand:
So, led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from Orient land,
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our friend;

Fall on your knees, O hear the angels voices!

O night divine! O night when Christ was born.

O night, O holy night, O night divine.

 Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is Love and His gospel is Peace;
Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother,
And in his name all oppression shall cease,
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful Chorus raise we;
Let all within us praise his Holy name!

Christ is the Lord, O praise His name forever!

O night divine! O night when Christ was born.

O night, O holy night, O night divine.