Yet they don't ask, "Where is God my Creator, the one who gives songs in the night?" Job 35:10 songs in the night. songs in the darkness. songs in the dark night of the soul. songs that are born out of seasons and spaces and places when night feels so long and the coming dawn seems to wait and creation holds its breath until the dark is pushed away with colors so subtle at first which grow in intensity and hue as His glory is painted across the skies.
but oh how black is the darkness right before that dawn. and is not singing in the light of day so much easier? the notes can be seen on the staff and the intricacies of meter and harmonies and chord progressions just make more sense when sunlight streams in. yet it is in the darkness that He promises to sing over us and gives us a song to sing. we are never alone even in the darkest of nights, whether the darkness be literal or figurative, physical or spiritual or emotional or any type of darkness to be found in this broken world. and no darkness exists that cannot be pierced by the light that is Jesus. songs composed to be played only on the black keys reveal beauty in places least expected. and melodies written with tears are often exquisite in their beauty as they hang low to the ground in hushed sorrow, then soar to the heavens as joy comes in the morning. sometimes the morning of joy takes longer to arrive than we would like and some nights last for seasons longer than we think we can bear. a song in the night is given to see us through and hope remembers what He has done in the past and looks to what He is doing in this moment and what He is yet to do tomorrow.
Then he measured another 1,750 feet, and the river was too deep to walk across. It was deep enough to swim in, but too deep to walk through. Ezekiel 47:5
Jesus plunged into the river when He quietly slipped into love's redemption story. the manger came with no shallow end. Jesus became one of us. completely. yet He remained God. completely. He knew before His first breath of air into lungs so human that the river would lead to the cross. and yet He came, all for love's sake. love's story began long before the actual birth of Jesus. from before time began, Jesus knew. He knew salvation's plan would be needed to bring people like you and me into the presence of His Father, making Him our Father as well. He saw the river before the morning stars were taught to sing. Jesus knew that wherever the water of the river would touch, new life would be born. the river brought life all along its banks as roots reached down for its water. and the river is Jesus. as the river flows it brings healing and hope and life.
that is the message of the manger. especially hope. hope seems scarce as we look around this Christmas season and if we go by feelings alone, even sitting in the quiet by the manger can leave one feeling a little empty. yet the space of 'feelings alone' is not where the follower of Jesus has to stay. the manger and the river hold promises so secure and hope so relentless. feeling the joy and wonder of this season leaves the heart filled to overflowing. and that is a gift of exquisite beauty. yet Christmas has no less meaning if for some reason the heart isn't able to experience that joy and wonder. Jesus understands. allow yourself to fall into the river which flows from the manger to the cross, knowing that you will be held tightly by the One who is hope. hope has a name and that name is Jesus.
Sing a new song to the LORD! Sing his praises from the ends of the earth! Isaiah 42:10 a stable a cave. the only warmth from animals surrounding. the only light from a star. a young girl giving birth to a son, straw her bed. her mother her grandmother nowhere near to offer help, to offer comfort. her husband knelt at her side, giving all he could. would Mary have changed the circumstances if she could? is it possible to sing a song of praise even when darkness falls and fears threaten? a song of praise need not be sung in tune or sung at all for that song is from the heart. once her precious baby was safely in her arms was her song able to express the tangle of emotion which must have risen in her heart? was she simply stunned and silent as she held the King of the universe? and a song of praise was piercing the night as angels by the tens of thousands sang honor praise worship glory to God for the baby in the manger. shepherds at first too frightened to sing came to join the chorus of songs as they knelt by the manger. they left with a new song in their hearts. a spontaneous song of praise which could not be contained.
every single heart ever beating has a song. the lyrics the meter the tempo all being written with each breath taken. and each breath taken a gift from the One to whom we sing. perhaps today you find yourself in a space you'd rather not be or in a place causing the heart to ache and tears to fall. songs sung in the dark, in the dark night of the soul, rise on the wings of angels and sing in the heart of Jesus. and when we sing a new song, Jesus overcomes the enemy in our lives. His power is released and Christmas sings. a song of praise was sung before that first Christmas as Mary responded to the angel's news. an unplanned unrehearsed song of praise rising to heaven as she gave her song to the One to whom she would soon sing lullabies.
