Lent Day #48

today's hymn is what Child is this?, also known as greensleeves...

what Child is this, Who, laid to rest on mary's lap, is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping
this, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
haste, haste to bring Him laud - the Babe, the Son of mary

why lies He in such mean estate, where ox and ass are feeding?
good christian, fear - for sinners here the silent Word is pleading
nails, spear shall pierce Him through; the cross be borne for me, for you
hail! hail! the Word made flesh - the Babe, the Son of mary

so bring Him incense, gold and myrrh; come, peasant, king, to own Him
the King of kings salvation brings - let loving hearts enthrone Him
raise, raise a song on high; the virgin sings her lullaby
joy, joy for Christ is born - the Babe, the Son of mary
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this baby speaks for itself, like yesterday's hymn. this is a good thing, because i am exhausted from a week of midterms and other fun stressors. (i even said "i ain't got no..." today! something is rotten in the state of lauren's brain...)

i will make the following comments on this hymn:
1) there is an eagerness in the words of this song - an eagerness for the buying-back of souls from death.
2) the reason he's "lying in such mean estate" is for our redemption. the incarnation was about the cross.
3) the mentioned response to the incarnation is for the "good christian" is to "fear" because "for sinners here the silent Word is pleading." it's not just Christ's death that saves us - His life covers our life, His death pays for our deserved death, and His resurrection assures our defeat of the temporal state of death (though we who are set free by Christ will never again be truly dead).
4) the reaction to the King of kings bringing salvation ought to be His enthronement in our hearts
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spring break is here! let the people rejoice!

i don't know who thought up spring break, but i would like to kiss their feet. it is such a beautiful thing to have in the middle of a semester. i fully expect this one, for example, to further whet my appetite for heaven, to be filled up with fabulous fellowship time, to rejuvenate me, and to teach me to rest.

spring break is like a week-long sabbath.

reminds me of "well done, good and faithful servant ... come and share in your Master's happiness...." (matt 25:21)

also reminds me of "come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (matt 11:28) i think wake students qualify as those who 'labor' and 'are heavy laden.'

so the exciting news is threefold - this spring break is going to rock; my sister gets to come for a little!; and i am bringing absolutely NO homework.