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ADVENT AMID TURMOIL | Paul Herman
2018 TH VERSE, SAME AS THE FIRST
Peace. The Prince of Peace. The only One Who Just hours before his death, Jesus told us what
could be trusted with ultimate power chose to was coming—and what to do about it.
Political unrest. Deep division. Senseless lay it all down and become a baby in a manger. shootings. Turmoil. Live as a boy. Learn carpentry. Grow into a “These things I have spoken to you, that in
man. Resist every temptation. Die a horrible, Me you may have peace. In the world you will
oppression. excruciating death. And rise from the dead 3 have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have
Religious oppression. Senseless slaughter of days later, defeating sin and death once and overcome the world.” -John 16:33 (NKJV)
innocent babies and toddlers. Turmoil. for all.
Forced
census.
Government
This Christmas season, when you sing or listen
2018 verse, same as the first. Yet even amidst A few days later, He ascended into heaven, to this carol, I invite you to pause and reflect on
the chaos, the human story changed forever entrusting the message and the songs of His this section in particular:
that first Advent night. In a manger, wrapped Kingdom to us. Each of us, embroiled in our in swaddling clothes and in brand new human own little cycles of turmoil.
th
“…Long lay the world, in sin and error pining
skin, baby God was born into the kingdom of
man—spun so out-of-control since Eden.
‘Til He appears and the soul felt its worth
Yes, I love the Christmas passages in Matthew
and Luke. But the central Christmas scripture
He’d seen it all before in Lucifer. The lust for
The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices…”
~ O Holy Night (Adam/Dwight/Cappeau)
for me will always be this one:
power. The deep desire to be like the Most
Merry 2018th Christmas. Even amid the turmoil,
High. It split the Kingdom of Heaven. Now that “For God so loved the word, that He gave His celebrate His coming. Rejoice in His songs. Live
same spirit was running rampant throughout only begotten Son. That whosoever believes in in His peace. And long for His Kingdom come.
His creation. Splitting His beloved. Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
-John 3:16 (NKJV)
So, miracle of miracles, in the midst of turmoil—
56
December 2018
Paul Herman
As a songwriter, worship leader and team member,
and serves as CCLI’s Content Creator in the U.S.
Service Center in Vancouver, Washington.
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