Christmas Spirit

It has taken me until this morning to get into the Christmas Spirit....

I've already wrapped 70 Christmas gifts and co-hosted a work party... but still nothing
I've tromped through snow and bought snow pants, hats, mitten and boots... but still nothing
I've purchased gifts for my family... but still nothing

So what put me in this spirit?
This devotional... stolen from Girlfriends in God.

Today's Truth
"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11 NIV).

Friend To Friend
The Family Life Today show on my local Christian radio station once featured an author named Ace Collins who wrote a historical book about Christmas carols. One traditional carol they talked about was the song, "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen."

Before that day, the first line of that song never made sense to me. The title, "God rest ye, merry gentlemen," seemed too old-school-English to embrace. Was it encouraging us to sleep happily? I just didn't get it. But, I'm excited to share with you that the scales have fallen from my eyes! What I learned about this song is really cool, and I think you are going to find it fascinating as well... Ace explained to the listeners that he had dug through a bunch of English text from the 1500 and 1600s. One of the first things he learned about this carol was that the comma in our modern day version is actually misplaced in the title. It's not "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen." It's supposed to read, "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen."

While that information alone might not seem to make a difference, this next bit of information will bring the main point home. His research revealed that back in the day this song was written, the word "rest" actually meant "make" or "keep." And the word "merry" actually meant "mighty" or "great."

So...if we put that all together - in a modern translation - it should sing:
"God make you mighty, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay.
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas day;
To save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy."

If you would allow me the freedom, I'd like to translate this even further. Call it the Girlfriends In God Revised Edition. This is powerful:
"God make you mighty, girlfriend! Do not be upset, discouraged, or frightened!
Jesus came to earth to take on our brokenness and sin so that we could be made beautiful and whole in Him!
This is great news, which should bring you comfort and joy! Rejoice!"

Have a mighty Christmas! Have a powerful Christmas! Our hope is alive because 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ left His throne in heaven, was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, suffered and died for our sin, and defeated death in resurrection.

This is surely "good news of great joy!" (Luke 2:10).

Celebrate Christmas this year in His strength, in His peace, and in His joy. God make you mighty, girlfriend!

Let's Pray
Lord, You are mighty and powerful. No matter what I face, I want to walk in Your might instead of my weakness. Help me to remember that Your Word says: "Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). In Jesus' Name, Amen.