“All is well, all is well! Angels and men rejoice.” (Michael W. Smith’s Christmas album) But…Is all well? Can we rejoice? In his carol, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” Longfellow had it right…“God is not dead, nor does he sleep!” Then come the hopeful words, “The wrong shall fail, the right prevail.” That’s why Michael can sing, “All is well!” When we realize that “God is in charge” and that he is a God of grace, we can truly rejoice! ;-) Jack
FROM VW MARY: I'm developing a new appreciation for Longfellow. On a different tack, a friend wanted me to read a book she got at a Catholic retreat on aging. It includes an excerpt from a Longfellow poem...For age is opportunity no less Than youth itself, Though in another dress.
====JACK: Advertising calls on us to buy into the "new and improved." It's hard to improve on the work of old Henry Wadsworth.
FROM SB IN MICHIGAN: Thank you Jack! I really needed this today!====JACK: Sometimes I, too, need to be reminded that God is still the King of kings.
FROM TARMART REV: Rejoicing in snowy and cold Minnesota this morning!!====JACK: I like the northern winters when you can see your breath and the snow crunches under foot.====REV: 'Tis the reality of the present day!!
FROM LBP IN PLYMOUTH: 😄 ====JACK: When you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you.
FROM DM IN LIV: Amen! What a beautiful, wonderful truth!====JACK: The wrong shall fail, the right prevail!
FROM SANDY IN MICHIGAN: “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” is my favorite Christmas carol…wish we sang it in church more often. Thank you for your “Winning Words.”====JACK: I wonder why it wasn't included in our current Book of Worship? However I know where to find it when I need it. Just go to Google.
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: Yes, our hope and mercy and love is from above! Love came down at Christmas!====JACK: Christina Rossetti's poem has been set to music...
Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead,
Love incarnate, love divine;
Worship we our Jesus:
But wherewith for sacred sign?
Love shall be our token,
Love shall be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and to all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign.
FROM BS IN ENGLAND: I'm sure you have heard of Julian of Norwich and I was thinking of her this morning when hearing more news of Syria, prison riots here, British Airways and railway staff going on strike over Christmas. She said All shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well. This was 1300 and something! Come Lord Jesus.====JACK: Although the words, "Keep Calm and Carry On" are attributed to Churchill during the London Bliz, research proves otherwise...but he probably would have approved.
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