people will welcome me into

There is no better way to end a year, there just isn't, than to welcome a new beloved one into the kingdom. It really does feel like hard work. It really does feel like an impossible task. It really does feel like something for others more gifted. And those aren't lies from the liar; those are in fact true statements. But it has absolutely nothing to do with you. You take the step of faith. That's what you're always called to do. You take the step of faith. But that step of faith is merely stepping aside so that the glory can take over from there. And when the glory takes over, brother, isn't it worthwhile? You can imagine the fireworks display in Heaven and you would be underestimating the rejoicing. Those imagined hallelujahs aren't imagined but shadows of the greater truth.

in which all who are

An excerpt from tonight's thing:

When you accept Jesus into your life, you immediately find out what your real name, what your real identity truly is: it’s child of God. Jesus Christ did not die on the cross just for me. No, he died for everyone. Everyone in this room has a name in store for them; it is waiting there for you to pick up. And that identity is child of God. The Bible says that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” The day you choose to follow God, He gives you a new name, a new identity. And just like Cassius Clay doesn’t exist anymore, your old identity no longer exists either.

If you’re not a Christian, my friend, I’ve got some great news for you. You can be somebody, you can have an identity, you can belong, you can truly, truly belong. And you don’t have to earn it. And you don’t have to work for it. At the end of Napoleon Dynamite, Pedro wins the election and celebrates. Do you know that all of the angels of Heaven will celebrate if you turn over your life to Jesus? That’s what the Bible says. They are waiting for you to change your life. All you have to do is do what I did. Answer that nagging feeling in your heart. Answer that feeling in your heart that you don’t feel complete. Tell God that you want to belong to Him. God has already paid your fine. He is looking for you to accept His gift. Because He’s looking for you, He is looking and looking for you.

Who do you want to be?

so they watched him

You read an article like this and it might frighten you, the power of the government to see whatever you do on the computer in your free time. You think about the wiretapping and the spy satellites and the grocery store barcodes. You think about phishing and credit card scams and ID theft. You worry about all the people you do not know who know your every move.

You worry about all that, and yet none of them know you completely like God does.

God doesn't need the wiretapping to know what you say. God doesn't need the spy satellites to see your every move in darkness. God doesn't need cookies to trace your every mouseclick and move of your hand. And that really should frighten you if you do not know Him as your Savior. Because in your thoughts and in your actions and in your reactions and in your just very being, you are sinful. And no holy, righteous God can endure that dirtiness.

Removing cookies won't save you. Wearing aluminum hats won't save you. Never logging on won't save you. But God has good news for you, friend. He has an outstretched hand, nail-pierced, that reaches out for you and says "Take this, please." No need for fear in love, He says "It is finished." The ledger is clear. No worry about any eye looking into your darkest corners, because that looking has already been done, but through cross-colored glasses, God looks through cross-colored glasses into those darkest corners of your heart and mind and soul and still that nail-pierced hand reaches out take this take this please.

Take it, please. Are you ready to face eternity without fear?

do you show us as your

Let's be clear about this. The only reason to even create a show like this is because you hate Christianity. And that's fine if that's so. The vast majority of the world does so, and they will meet their fate on JDay. I just don't understand it for two reasons.

One, you must have learned some lesson from the material success of Passion to understand that the millions upon millions of believers in this country have disposable income. Why think the Mountain Dew generation the only ones worth targeting? And two, you must have learned from Target et al that boycotts are sure to follow when you present Christians and their flaws. I don't argue with you that all Christians are flawed and that showing them warts and all with a greater theme of searching for Him in the midst of the flaws is a sound message. I argue that that isn't your point in the first place, so arguing from this ground is pure sophistry.

Net: contemporary media hates God. What's new?

had given all things into His hand

Abundance and giving been on my mind lately, especially so after a day of getting and a day of purging. But also especially so after a lifetime of not getting and a lifetime of getting. Then when the topic arose among brothers, struggled with the duty to defend the practice or compromise the practice. And like all other topics in this space, work it out in a truthsearch to avoid the blindwalking.

Not surprising that all sorts of views exist on the topic, and many searching for the answer in truthsearching ways. At first, surprised that there appear to be a growing viewpoint against the straight tithe. But then I realized what was occurring. Always expect the tide to turn against the truth. Truth is easier to defend than attack. Sin is always easier to defend and justify.

Believers who think they are prayerfully seeking truth in answer to giving don't understand the basic questions. Any search that leads you to feel better about giving less is not from the Lord. Do you really think a God that gave His all wants you to feel better about you giving less? Try working out your rationalizing at the throne.

will be proclaimed upon the housetops

If you came here yesterday looking for me to bring you the message, don't be surprised that you found nothing. One, like last year, too much happening. Two, like always, this season is as much one of tears as of smiles, shadows as much as light. Three, like day one, this space is me working out the faith, proclaiming when prompted, but really working out the faith. Four, why expect the message to resonate all the more on yesterday than on any other? That proclamation will be coming at you whenever it can, and best strap yourself in and not look for it on one day, but any.

Because that is the real message, isn't it? That He is looking for that walk 24/7, 365.

on a journey for a long time

"Journey of Faith" {Matt2:1-12}
* Intro: Polar Express a story of a journey. Matt2 discusses a journey as well, one of faith.
* All will face a choice, an eternal one. What will your response be?
* Arrival of Magi
- Despite Christmas stereotypes, didn't arrive at His birth, but likely months afterward (possibly a year later)
- Were astrologers/priests. Privileged. Probably more than three.
- Mentioned 6 times in Daniel
- Answered in faith & obedience
* Agitation of Herod
- Crazy & paranoid
- Responded in fear and anger and selfishness
* Adoration of Magi
- Gold: Symbol of royalty, nobility
- Frankincense: Expensive perfume used for most important events, usually royalty
- Myrrh: Perfume used as a burial spice. Foretold purpose of His coming -- death.
- Warned by God in dream to return home a different route. Reflects His hand in divine plan.
* Application: How will you respond?
- Hostility?
- Indifference?
- Belief & worship

will rest on him

These guys appeared on Jay Leno of all places to sing songs from their latest Christmas Album. Linked a few days ago to one of the songs on that album that has been breaking my heart lately. In a recent interview, they had this to say about that song:

I noticed that of all the 12 songs on your album, "Joseph’s Lullaby" is the only one written by you and MercyMe. How were you inspired to write the song and why was it the only MercyMe original?

Our whole intention was to make a record of songs that we grew up with and change them up a little bit, but we kind of stumbled on writing "Joseph’s Lullaby." The irony is when I originally wrote the song, it was called "Mary’s Lullaby." I wrote it from Mary’s standpoint and it was in a higher key, a real falsetto, and it just wasn’t right. One day, the producer’s wife said, "Well, it’s kind of odd that you’re singing from Mary’s perspective, being the guy. Why don’t you do Joseph?"

It just hit me like a ton of bricks. I never knew why it didn’t cross my mind to do that. So I went through the song and just put some more masculine lyrics, and it took on a completely different life. As a father myself, I wondered if he [Joseph] went through the same things I did. Did he become instantly protective, did he have an idea of what was to take place through the life of Christ and become even more selfish and hold him closer?

We started writing the song in December 2004, a month after my 2-year-old son was diagnosed with diabetes. I spent a week in the hospital watching my son. I couldn’t do anything, I couldn’t fix the diabetes, and it was a really hard time, but it played a role in helping me write the song. I never understood why you never heard much about Joseph. I’ve always wondered, from a father’s perspective, how he felt, especially since, technically, Jesus wasn’t his child, though he didn’t love him any less. There had to be something in Joseph that just wanted to hold his son and say, "Regardless what life brings and what’s to take place, tonight you’re mine, you’re safe, and just find a way to sleep."

Reminder to self: this is how the Father thinks of you, too. Only difference is He knows what life is going to bring to you -- and still all He wants for you is to rest, sweetly rest, in Him. The heartbreaking isn't all about you and your son, but you and His Son.

but is completely clean; and you are clean

Been thinking about humbleness today. Had dinner with a living saint and his humbleness resonated. Jesus preached multiple times throughout the Gospels on first being last and servant to all and so forth, so this is not a new topic. But it is new to me how often this is repeated throughout the Bible and why.

This season alone we are reminded of the appearance to shepherds, lowest of the low. We are reminded of the manger birth. We are reminded of the lineage of scrubs. But what occurred to me was how well all that fit in with the salvation and the redemption. Because if He didn't mind resting His tiny holy head in a dirty stable, He isn't going to mind residing in your filthy heart.

they were watching him closely

Take your pick of worthless television attempts to remove the wonder and power of the Christmas story. Each year, the networks either attempt to placate the faithful with Christian themes, or go to war with the faithful by using history and science in ways they weren't meant to be used to cast doubt on the truth.

If the faithful truly turned their back on the media -- cancelling subscriptions, refraining from reading CNN, turning off the TV during primetime -- in serious numbers, in numbers representative of the blue state/red state divide, you don't think the media would turn from its wicked ways?

You wonder why the media have devolved to the state they are in. I'll tell you why: because you aren't doing anything to stop them. One day, instead of turning away and then turning back to see if they noticed you turned away, just turn away and stay away.

and did not know where it came from

Expecting a critique on this, right? Going to refrain from a full-scale beating. Who would doubt that the world hasn't already prejudiced people to believe that faith is behind ID, and that faith and secular law don't mix well? Not going to go there. I'll let God's statement on JDay do the talking. Can't wait to see the lawyers try to persuade the One True Judge how, in fact, the One who mastered death isn't smart enough.

therefore you too have grief now

Between this and this, it's clear that this season isn't one of sadness just for me. While Joseph and Mary had it rough, I contend that they didn't know that the ending of the path that began with the announcement of their special Son would be Golgotha. So their love was not conflicted with sadness but rather of wonder and awe and pride.

But the Father knew. The Father knew with joy that His plan to save the world was nigh. The Father knew with love that His obedient Son would save the entire universe. The Father knew with justice and righteousness that Satan would not have dominion for eternity.

But the Father knew with sadness as He placed the child into the manger that the end would be aloneness on a hill and separation and great hurt. And all the victory in the world cannot erase that fact from the loving hands placing Him into that manger.

and the glory of the Lord shone round about them

"Joy to the World" {Luke2:1-20}
* Intro: Christmas story so familiar to all -- too familiar
* If not careful, we lose all the wonder and joy of the miracle of Christmas
* Birth in Bethlehem
- Luke emphasized humility of birth
- Tiny town, strenuous journey, animal trough, lack of midwife
* Angelic announcement
- Announced to lowliest of jobs
- Dirty & unclean spiritually (too far and busy to maintain cleansing rituals)
- Nomadic & untrustworthy, often thieves
- Dirty & unclean physically
- Points out that salvation for all
* Shepherds' response? Glory and praise
* Application:
- He is sovereign, even when unseen
- His purposes often achieved via suffering
- Easy to miss what He is doing

and a time to laugh

Last dregs of conversation prior to sleep, and often what results are random speculations. But who's to say random speculations are worse off than purposeful thought? In either case, mused on whether or not God has a sense of humor.

Con thoughts: It's ridiculous to assign human attributes to God, who is nothing like man. Why think that His sense of humor is anything remotely like our sense of humor? God has better things to do than to sit around and laugh. He's more concerned with the sadness He feels from lost souls.

Pro thoughts: We are made in His image. The Lord was once man, thus being fully human, He also would have had a sense of humor. Why create us with a sense of humor if He also did not have a sense of humor? Plenty of stories in the Word make one laugh. Laughter is a natural outpouring of joy, and we know the Lord is all about joy.

Concordance: It just occurred to me that I could simply look it up, and lo and behold, the Psalms discuss His laughter (2 and 37 to name just two). Suppose that was easier than senseless meanderings of thought.

so that darkness will not overtake you

Yesterday, my attention was drawn by Gen4:7 and the description of sin. We think of sin as an action. "I sinned yesterday." We think of sin as a noun. "Jesus died for my sins." We think of sin as an adjective. "Yesterday, my behavior was quite sinful." But we don't think of sin as a pronoun.

Gen4:7 says sin is crouched at the door. Gen4:7 says sin has a desire to get you. You might consider this speech to be simply a turn of phrase in the same vein as "opportunity knocks". But that would obscure the living creature that sin, in fact, is.

What if sin were like bacteria? Every living creature on earth is infused with millions of bacteria. This explains how innocent babies are born sinful in the same manner they are born with bacteria. Sin is this living thing inside you that grows. And as any addict of any sin can tell you, that growth is often unstoppable.

What the Christian walk actually is is the regimen needed to cut back the growth of the beast. He doesn't call Himself the Great Physician for nothing. Our new bodies in Christ are just that -- bodies made without the wicked bacteria. Something to think about.

and in pain to give

What's hard for everyone at Christmas time is balancing the theoretical notion of Dec 25 as the arrival of the Messiah on earth, of God Incarnate, with the practical and very real notion of their past experiences with Christmas, flesh themselves already. Your soul appreciates and reflects upon the meaning; your heart can break as it reflects upon your history. The season saddens me, no matter the growth I experience on the soul level. Love Him all the more, and know Him all the more, and so can appreciate all the more. But the hurts of noels past do not go quietly into the night.

On those years prior to the knowing, Christmas is what it is to all -- days off from school for the receiving of presents. But for some it's simply days off from school. And in those cases, those days off are themselves no present. Often heard my parents deride the holiday as an American concept, that Asians have no use for such customs. Growing up, one views such a perspective as stubborn clinging to old traditions, as stubbornness against the tide of assimilation. We're no longer in the jungle, one might assert to deaf ears.

I appreciate it now for what it probably is -- a better reason than "because we can't". No parent lacks the longing to shower gifts upon those they love. No parent lacks the longing to be extravagant. But pride restrains the truth in ways that make the truth more palatable. That palatable truth even moreso for themselves. Far better to forsake tradition on the grounds of principle than on the grounds of an inability to provide. Our hurt in not receiving was probably twice as painful in not giving.

then I was senseless and ignorant

You make me want to swear sometimes. What in the name of all that is holy are you thinking? It's bad enough that liberals are trying to remove the Christ from Christmas. It's bad enough that PR firms are trying to make the giving all about materialism rather than the gift of God to earth. But for you to send the message that Christmas is about the family and not the church? What kind of message is that? The Lord did not spend His first night in straw because of family, but because it was the only way to correct our sin. It was the start of a plan. He doesn't want us at home roasting chestnuts, but rather with our brethren in worship, celebrating His goodness and mercy.

Do me a favor. Stop being so seeker-friendly. Because the message you're sending the seekers is all wrong. Do me another favor. Seek Him yourself, as you've clearly lost the way.

and make straight paths

The side notes for Acts22:4 reference Acts9:2 which references the famous John14:6. Love Paul's casual use of "the Way". Used as such, it indicates that this was the manner in which they were referred regularly by others. Used this way, it indicates the fame they were achieving in changing the world. Used this way, it indicates a movement and a journey. Used this way, it indicates the singular truth about the gospel as the model for true life.

Where then did we lose our way?

to those from whom you hope

"Immanuel - God With Us" {Matt1:18-25}
* Intro: Narnia a land of neverending winter, darkness, despair. No hope.
* "Is there any hope?" is the cry of all humanity. Matt presents birth of Jesus as giving of hope to world.
* Virgin birth conceived
- Larry King interview: virgin birth answer of singular importance to all world history
- Lord son of two people of faith: humble ma and righteous pa
* Virgin birth clarified
- Lord speaks to Joseph for encouragement to carry out plan
- Name chosen to clarify and emphasize purpose of birth to world
* Virgin birth connected
- Not random, but fulfillment of prophecy
- "He died like a mighty God" J Lane
* Virgin birth concluded
- Through genealogy
- Through virgin birth
- Through prophecy fulfillment
* Immanuel indication of hope

in me may you have peace

I mention here that memorization of the Word is a means to an end that is itself an end, and that the sheer process of memorization and being in the Word is a step toward getting yourself right so that He can aid you. But have found myself lately realizing yet another benefit of it all -- quiet noise. Instead of the questioning and the doubting and the tempting and the wronging I'm getting the following and the asking and the believing and the trusting in this never-ending loop to the point where it's going on when I'm not listening instead of the goings on when I'm listening. Nice to be in this place, is all I'm saying.

as when a lion roars

No reviewer can place personal feelings aside and review something objectively (research the Jewish media backlash against the Passion, for instance). So don't expect a fair shake as I review Narnia.

In a word (or two, depending): Spot-on.

In a bunch of them: just a perfect adaptation, and one which will make the evil folks at Disney enormously wealthy, ironically. Well-filmed action scenes, great scenery design, perfect Aslan, and faithful to the book. All of the correct dialogue referencing the Christ allusion remain.

Churches will be brought to a paradox. Watch the faithful adaptation and let the depth of emotion of your faith enrich the vieiwing experience. Or boycott the film to prevent the coffers of Disney from overflowing. Decisions, decisions.

Mine? Go see it. And then see it again.

cannot hate you, but it hates me

An example of what I've been saying all along. There is no such thing as a non-religion. Even if you consider yourself an atheist or an agnostic, you adhere to a set of beliefs (that there are no beliefs or that you don't know if there are beliefs). This isn't simply semantics, but the point that opposing points of view are just that -- opposing. To claim that one side is rational, and the other blind faith is not honest. Those that claim that religions breed intolerance and hate do not analyze their own feelings of hatred (which they call moral indignation) which arise during their irrational speechifying.

Slap in their big, fat faces, huh? One of us will be facing a shock to the system on JDay, professor liar, but it shall not be me.

even of yourself, let go of your

Don't bother subscribing to try to read the rest of this piece. I'll save you the trouble. Her conclusion is that yes, the rich fantasy world of Narnia and its adventure and magic can still survive without the Christian subtext. She goes even further to suggest that the Narnia books were never meant to be Christian allegories.

Wrong on both counts, liarsgirl. One, on the former, enjoying a work and missing the message is like visiting the Grand Canyon and enjoying the trip there but never actually seeing the Grand Canyon. Sure, you've enjoyed the vacation, but you did not enjoy the Grand Canyon. You may have enjoyed the Narnia series as a child sans subtext (as did I), but that really wasn't Narnia then.

Secondly, on the latter, maybe you should actually read some of Lewis's essays where he discusses his writings. He has stated that "I did not say to myself 'Let us represent Jesus as He really is in our world by a Lion in Narnia'; I said, 'Let us suppose that there were a land like Narnia and that the Son of God, as he became a Man in our world, became a Lion there, and then imagine what would happen." Ergo, Aslan is Christ. In another letter, Lewis stated that "The whole series works out like this:

The Magician's Nephew tells the Creation and how evil entered Narnia,
The Lion etc. - the Crucifixion and Resurrection,
Prince Caspian - restoration of the true religion after a corruption,
The Horse and His Boy - the calling and conversion of the heathen,
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - the spiritual life (especially in Reepicheep),
The Silver Chair - the continuing war against the powers of darkness,
The Last Battle - the coming of Antichrist (the ape). The end of the world and the last judgement.

Sorry to "spoil" some books you may have enjoyed as a heathen and wish to continue to enjoy as a heathen after hearing the truth. But if you reject the truth, you reject it. Trying to hold on to it despite your rejection is simply dumb.

or any deformed

You might think that the world gets me the most riled up, but you'd be wrong. It is not the idiocy of the world that frustrates me the most, as by their evil nature they cannot help their ignorance. It is the idiotic acts of believers or pseudo-believers that gets me the most riled up. Because these "brothers and sisters" if indeed there is a saved bone in their bodies should know better. And attaching themselves to the world is all the more aggravating.

Case in point.

I don't know what Bible you are reading, but the real Word is quite clear on sexual sins and sexual temptations. The Bible is quite clear in its condemnation of lust. How one can be a pastor, a shepherd of the flock, and claim that nowhere in the Bible does it condemn nudity, or that the idea of a tittilating Biblical calendar would be kosher, I don't know. I won't be the one answering before the throne for that one.

according to the tradition you received

Sharing this to the flock anon. Figured maybe the wider flock could use this reminder, too.

In July of 1996, my wife and I were married. That December, we celebrated our first Christmas together. Now because we were starting our lives with nothing, all we could afford that year was this tiny fake tree that looked like it had come from A Charlie Brown Christmas. My wife was teaching at the time and one of her students gave her this big, ugly Santa Claus head, our first ornament. That big, ugly Santa head began a tradition. Every year since then, my wife and I have bought a new ornament together. We try to choose one that represents something memorable about that year. In 2002, for instance, when my wife was pregnant with our son, we got an ornament that had two bears hanging Christmas decorations together – one of those bears being a pregnant mommy bear.

When our children were born, we added to this tradition. Each year, not only have my wife and I gotten an ornament for ourselves, but we’ve also gotten one ornament for each child. And just like the ornaments that we choose for each other, we try to choose ornaments that represent that child’s year. For instance, last year, my daughter liked Garfield. When we went to the Fair, she kept getting into line to give Garfield hugs, so we got her a Garfield ornament. This year, my son has a fixation on all things Batman – thus the crouching Batman now hanging on our tree. When the children are ready to start their own families many years from now, they will take their ornaments with them and hopefully build upon this tradition with their families.

For us, this ornament-collecting tradition represents the singular truth that Christmas is a celebration of the faithfulness and goodness of God to the world. Christmas is the celebration of a God who loved the world enough to place His own son in a manger. One of my favorite names for God in the Old Testament occurs when God refers to Himself as the “God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” That name represents the fact that He is a God who is good and faithful to us not just once, but year after year, and to generation after generation. Each year when my wife and I look upon our tree and see the ever-growing ornament collection, we are reminded of His love and goodness to us every year we have been married; we are reminded of the fact that He carried us through each of those years. When our children look upon their ornaments many years from now with their own families, it will be a testimony of God’s faithfulness to us, and to our children, and hopefully to our children’s children.

when it happens, you may believe

I briefly wrote before of what is in my head today. And memorizing the scene has it more clearly active in my mind's eye, so perhaps that is framing my perspective. (And it may behoove you to scan John6:15-25.)

But what if He was called to listen as He withdrew alone? What if He listened in prayer up there alone, not paying mind to the time of day? Imagine His disciples unsure of where He is. Maybe He crossed to Capernaum, says one of the twelve. Even if He's not there, says another, He's probably with one of the five thousand now, and He knows where we are headed. So they attempt to beat the darkness.

And He comes out of His chat with the Father who tells Him to head down from the mount and head to Capernaum, and He gets to the shore and looks about and sees neither the five thousand nor the twelve. And amazed that they left His side, He lifts his eyes and sees a bobbing craft three or four miles hence. And just before He moves to the remaining craft, the Father says no. Not the boat. That boat is there for the multitude's eyes tomorrow. That lone boat is a sign unto them. Go to the boat. And He looks up to the heavens to better understand. Go to the boat. And He looks across the wind-blown waves. Go to the boat. And He looks at His sandaled feet and then back to the heavens. Go to the boat.

In perfect faith, He takes that first step of faith, no different than Peter's first step soon forthcoming, but that first step of faith. But no sinking He. Eyes to the heavens, ear to the Father. Go to the boat. And no sinking He, He keeps taking those steps of faith, the waves higher and higher but no matter, just the steps of faith, keep taking those steps of faith. Go to the boat. And then He comes upon them. And frightened they, they wield oars in disbelief. But It is I. It is I.

It is I in perfect faith.

only, but in order

"The King of Grace" {Matt1:1-17}
* Intro: Crown, robe, scepter usually represent kingship. King James V of Scotland sans external still king. Matt focuses on kingship of Christ, Lord w/o trappings.
* Starts right away w/ declaration of royal lineage via 2 of most sacred Hebrew dads (Abraham, David). Lord promised a king via both lines.
* Grace of God seen in inclusion of scrubs (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba)
* If He called sinners to His own lineage, of course He would invite us to be in His spiritual line
* Grace of God can be seen in history of three eras:
- Abe to Dave: wandering, slavery, warfare
- Dave to Bab exile: Evil monarchy, idolatry, warfare
- Exile to Christ: Captivity, 400 years of silence, oppression
* Despite silence, captivity, scrubs, perfect plan still in place
* He is always in control, and He can always use even the likes of you

in heaven continually see the face

Interesting surgery. Ground-breaking. Revolutionary. Historic even. But as the surgeon himself said, not lifesaving but quality-of-life changing.

The lifesaving change? Your acceptance of the Lord.

The Bible says that in Christ you will be a new creation. The Bible says that the old will pass away and you shall become new. That surface change you underwent is just that, surface only. But your salvation would be a change you cannot comprehend.

Unlike this surgery reserved for those severely disfigured, salvation is offered freely to all. All are disfigured by sin, whether visible or not. No team of experts need to be spending hours to change you. You can be changed with just one word. Yes. Yes to His offer of eternal life. Yes to His question "Can I come into your heart?" Yes to His offer of true change.

Are you ready to become truly beautiful?

they presented to Him gifts

One of my favorite carols bar none doesn't get the credit it deserves. I mean, I can imagine that it is hard to place it above the heralding angels, joywishing, and fidelis adeste-ing and all. But this just deserves more attention.

Other carols focus on the season's reason, as they should, and focus on different aspects of the Christmas story -- Mary, the manger, the wisemen, the angels in celebratory joy and wonder, the child Himself. Heck even the city gets its own piece.

What draws me to the Drummer is that he is me. Nothing, nothing can I bring to the throne of grace. Nothing, nothing can I do to thank Him enough for the greatest of gifts. Nothing have I but what He gave me. So that last verse hits me every time where all drummer, all I can do is what He has given me to do for the singular hope of being rewarded with one priceless smile.