It's Me Again God 2

5. Something New

It's Me Again God,

How special it is to wake with the memories of a day of love and laughter, feasting and fun, replaying over in my mind! Thank You for the blessings of being able to worship You at the start of the day and join with so many who rejoiced because You came down to be Emmanuel —God with us. Thank You that this name wasn't just true for the time when Jesus was physically on earth but continued as You sent Your Holy Spirit to live in believers everywhere. That's probably why I felt Your presence so powerfully as we sang:

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

Something new began when You came into the world Jesus!  At last there was a way to deal with the weight of sin that people carried around! At last people could feel worthy to come into Your presence Father!

Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born

I didn't literally fall on my knees but tears rolled down my face as I sang these familiar words and my heart fell before You in adoration for it was a 'divine' night —it was a night so treasured by people, even centuries later, that it could only be attributed to the fact that suddenly You were with us! Jesus, You caused the most significant changes in the lives of people more than two thousand years ago and You have not stopped!

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains He shall 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

Love and peace abound because You came Jesus —You brought a new commandment of love to our attention:

" 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:37-39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Mark recorded it like this:

""A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.""
‭‭John‬ ‭13:34-35‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Lord this is so life changing! Surely if all the world loved You first, then loved others as they love themselves (in the way You love them), all oppression would cease! Jesus You are the chain breaker!

Lord continue to speak to me today as I enjoy more relaxing moments with my family. May those who don't know You see a clear picture of Your love through me in the way I speak and act, so I may also bring glory to You!

Christ is the Lord
O praise His Name forever
His power and glory
Evermore proclaim

Amen!