Dear Honey Run Friends,
I am writing this letter on the first day of Advent. Thanksgiving has come and gone and now we prepare for Christmas. I don’t know how this past year has been for you, but for me it has been exhausting. I can barely tell which way is up. Work has been more demanding than ever while being short staffed we have all had to help fill in the gaps to keep things running. There have been challenges and days I wanted to give up. But then I have moment to catch my breath and relax and I remember why I do what I do. I love the Inn, the team members, and you the guests. As I search for the meaning in my daily actions, I am reminded of what Paul tells us in Colossians 3:23-24:
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
I abstain from listening to Christmas music until the night of Thanksgiving every year. Partly so I don’t get tired of the holiday music and partly so I can give each holiday its season. But once Advent begins the holiday music begins through the Epiphany for me. During this time the most powerful song for me is O, Holy Night. This song speaks directly to the reason for Christmas. I enjoy the secular songs, but this song moves my soul. It reminds me that the reason for all the decorations and celebration I am commemorating the day when God came to earth in human form for me and you. I fail so often in life to honor God and his love for me. But this poem brought to music reminds me of who I am and why I exist. I pray this season gives you the clarity to know your Lord and Savior and celebrate your life in Him.
Here is a great rendition of O, Holy Night for your listening pleasure performed by the Kings College Choir. https://youtu.be/gTFG_nvreoI (sorry for the short ad before the song)
While you listen read the lyrics and see the of the power of written and sung word.
https://hymnary.org/text/o_holy_night_the_stars_are_brightly_shin
1 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 its worth.
A thrill of hope- the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
2 Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the Wise Men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend.
He knows our need— to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King, before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, before Him lowly bend!
3 Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we;
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
Merry Christmas to you and your family from your Innkeeper praising his power and glory evermore!
Jason
