My heart aches and my eyes brim every time I think about the small children who died on Friday in their own classrooms. I just despair. It's all just so WRONG, WrOnG, wrong. And then I think about how abhorrent their deaths are simply because they are such innocent little things ... which calls to my mind another innocent unfairly crucified here on Earth - the same innocent one we celebrate this time of year. Both heartbreaking images leave me breathless and reminded again that this world is not our home.
Ohhhh, it's just so wretched and unthinkable. My brain wants to implode. I find myself keening as I imagine the parents' grief, as I imagine the same terrible thing forced on my own precious babies, as I imagine how I would rather die than face such agonizing, heart-wrenching, killing loss. Oh, God. Oh my God. What to do?
I can only claw myself out of the sadness when I crawl into my Lord's presence instead by praising Him - praising the One my very soul longs for all the more in response to the ugliest evidence of the brokeness of this world. Today's praise song I distract myself with is a new holiday tune: God with Us by Jeremy Camp. Try listening without lifting your hands in praise.
Hallelujah, the King has come
Beautiful Savior, God's own Son
Hallelujah, the Christ is here
So rejoice, for our salvation's near
Emmanuel, our humble King
We give you our hearts as an offering
You laid down your crown
And became as dust
Emmanuel, God with us
Hallelujah, the angels sang
To certain poor shepherds in fields where they lay
Hallelujah, the world will see
The fullness of His majesty
Emmanuel, our humble King
We give you our hearts as an offering
You laid down your crown
And became as dust
Emmanuel, God with us
Oh, come all ye faithful, our God is here
Joyful triumphant, salvation's near
Oh, come and behold our King
Come and behold Him
Emmanuel, our humble King
We give you our hearts as an offering
You laid down your crown
And became as dust
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
God with us
Beautiful expression of sentiments I think we're all feeling. Beautiful, meaningful, soothing song.
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