Let’s Sing a Brand New Song

The old familiar Christmas carols are still echoing in my heart, but I know something new is on its way. Psalm 96:1 says “Sing to the Lord a new song.” That new song is made possible by the Incarnation of Jesus. A new song to the One Who became God in the flesh and Who makes all things new. A new song that revels in the Father’s love for us. A new song that makes our hearts leap with joy at the promise of the good news!

A new day -- a new year is almost here! We can start singing a new song and close the door to the old “My Love done me wrong” songs and the "Woe is me" songs. Our LOVE for God and His LOVE for us puts a new song of joy, hope, and peace in our hearts. It's an "Everything's gonna be alright" song!

What if we were given a gift on January 1st and the Giver said – “What you do today – how you love, how you express gratitude and hope and express joy in the middle of your circumstances, will set the tone for 2020. TODAY sets the precedent for a year of singing joy-filled, faith-filled, and overcoming-filled songs – but not just songs – living lives of each day being set for victory,”

I'm already practicing for 2020 today. I'm singing a new song, flowing from the relationship I have with God. You can sing a new song, too! Let’s join the angels in singing “Glory to God in the highest,” because we see signs of His glory everywhere we go (Luke 2:14). Let’s imitate Mary as we sing and magnify the Lord and rejoice in God our Savior. Let’s sing of the joy of knowing we have been redeemed by a loving God. Let’s sing even when we make mistakes because forgiveness and grace awaits us.

But let's not sing just because God has made us happy. Let's sing because it makes Him happy too! Sing a song that proclaims the wonders He has done. Sing a song that declares who you know Him to be. Our Father rejoices when we praise Him, not because He craves our attention, but because He knows how praise lifts our spirit, strengthens us against temptation, and fills us with a desire to share His good news.

And if you don’t like to sing, speaking it out is just as good. And here's another way to ensure 2020 looks different from any other year. Start spending time with God, and right now is a good time to start. A new start is in itself a new song.

“Lord, put a new song in my heart today. Stir your Spirit in me, and teach me to sing to you!”

Permission Granted to Let a Few Things Slide

It’s no longer “beginning to look a lot like Christmas” because it is Christmas and it's exploding in living color, bright lights, adored Christmas carols playing, Santas at Salvation Army kettles and stores, shoppers with carts loaded with treasures to be wrapped and placed under the exquisite trees I’ve seen displayed on FB and Instagram. We are in our Christmas element and how sweet it is – or is it?

I am resisting the urge to get in a tizzy about checking off everything from my to-do list. I’m pulling back the reins and purposely asking myself one simple question each day: "What can I realistically do today to focus on the main thing?"

My deepest desire is to keep Jesus at the center of this season and seek Him above all else. My heart echoes David’s in Psalm 27:8, “When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, O Lord, I will seek.”” I do that in my early morning devotion times, but I was intentional yesterday as I started attending a Wednesday Advent Meditations group – seriously putting the emphasis on Who this season is all about.

I know that in this “season" of life, I can set aside quiet, holy, and intimate times far more readily than you moms and dads who have many items on your getting-longer-by-the-minute to-do lists. I know that I can sit quietly watching the twinkling lights on my little tree – far longer than some of you can. But still, I urge you to give yourself permission to let a few things slide to pursue what matters most this holiday season.

Putting Jesus first and foremost promises us peace that passes understanding and joy that flows out of abundance from our hearts. I assure you – when Jesus is front and center – He makes all the to-dos lighter, more enjoyable, and He even enlists His heavenly messengers to give us supernatural assistance at check-out lines or finding that one main item on our list faster. The “Reason" for the season wants to short-cut the to-dos when we give Him a front-row-seat in OUR Christmas story. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33. We won’t miss one thing that matters most on our Christmas list, because the thing – rather the King -- wasn’t missed.

Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”