Word-Filled Wednesday ~#75~ Christmas...the Weary World Rejoices

"O holy night, the stars are brightly shining; 
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining;
Till He appeared and the soul felt it's worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, 
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!" ~O Holy Night; Dwight and Adam

"Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice . . . Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, 'The LORD reigns!' Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them! Them the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the LORD . . . " ~I Chron. 15:10, 31-33

"'I tell you,' He replied, 'if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.'" ~Luke 19:40

To say the least, I am not a "tree-hugger," although I do enjoy God's wonderful creation. I grew up camping, hiking, learning Indian lore from my grandpa, learning about the signs for weather or an animal's disposition from clues that they will give . . . 

Did you know if you see a "ring" around the moon it will rain or snow within 24 hours? Did you know that when doves coo it will rain within 24 hours? Did you know that you can count the chirps of crickets and get an accurate temperature*? The Lord has not only written Himself into nature, but He used it to illustrate many Biblical lessons.

But to realize those lessons, you have to be looking to see. And 2,000 years ago, there was little band of shepherds who were looking. 

They lived in a time of great national unrest while performing a job that required them to be aware of both creation and the nature of animals.  They lived in a time when when everyday could bring the long-expected Messiah and everyone was looking for a sign. Those lowly, weary shepherds had no idea that they would be the ones to be the first to see.

While watching the sky for weather signs and listening to the sounds of the night to make sure predators were not after their sheep ~ they saw! They heard! An angel of the Lord told them that the time they had waited for had arrived and God's creation would lead the way!

Those weary shepherds and their lowly flock, the stars looking down from the sky and the animals who shared a humble stable with a frightened young couple, were the first to see . . . 

. . . And the weary world rejoices. 

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><  

*Count the cricket's chirps for 15 seconds, add 39. EX: 30 chirps + 39 = 69 degrees