Experience Christmas is a 19-day devotional series based on the Scriptural narrative and aimed at creating space during a beautiful, but hectic time of year to wonder at the miracle of Christmas. You’re joining us on day fifteen, with music from Sixpence None the Richer and a call to rest and listen to the promptings of God this weekend.

Listen

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Sixpence None the Richer
YouTube | Lyrics

Read

Luke 10:38-42

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, goodwill to men
From heavens all gracious King!”
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.

I am so in awe of the God we serve.

Who sent us a Savior we could know and understand.

Who seeks out the less-than, the marginalized, the fringe-riders, and entrusts them with promise and purpose.

Who extends His only Son to us as an offering of goodwill and the promise of peace in our broken and hurting world.

Who saw beyond the manger to the cross that would redeem us, and forever seal us as His own.

Still through the cloven skies they come,
With peaceful wings unfurled;
And still their heavenly music floats
O’er all the weary world:
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hovering wing,
And ever o’er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.

And yet, I am so prone to miss the whispers of His love.

Beyond the noise of our lives, there are angels still singing, and thin places taut with closeness. Christmas is coming. We have each been on a journey this month – waiting, preparing, exercising our longing for the promised Messiah – and the celebration is near.

As we look toward the final weekend before Christmas, let’s make space to clear our hearts of the clutter, and quiet the noise around us. Let’s rest from the hurry and the doing of Christmas to listen – really listen – to the song that’s being sung.

O ye beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow;
Look now, for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing;
Oh rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing.
– It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Edmund Hamilton Sears

Consider

• What good things might be crowding out the space in your life reserved for remembering the best thing this Christmas?
• What might need to be reprioritized, added to, or deleted from your final Christmas celebration to-do list?
• What is left to prepare your heart for Christmas next week?

Pray

Pray that God would help you find the space you need to rest and listen to prepare yourself for Christmas next week.

Father thank you for your love. Thank you for wanting the very best for us, and the very best of us. In the middle of what could be a stressful weekend leading up to family celebrations, help us to rest and listen, to hold onto what matters, and to keep our eyes firmly fixed on you. As we walk through grocery stores, or participate in Christmas services, help our hearts to be ready and listening to you.

For a complete list of devotional posts visit the Experience Christmas series page. Sign up to receive posts directly via email by completing the online subscription form and join in the conversation on Facebook and Twitter by using the hashtag #ExperienceChristmasDevotional. See my disclosure page for iTunes and other affiliate information.