Christmas Reflections...

I heard this song on the radio the other day as i was driving home from the grocery store... literally nearly escaping the chaos filling and flooding out of the store.

I was simply captivated by it.
  ...the peacefulness of the music in contrast to the business of the season.
  ...the (possible) intimate words of Jesus' earthly mother and her son... the baby who was born to save the world.

Gdy śliczna Panna Syna kołysała | As the lovely maiden rocked her dear Child

Z wielkim weselem tak Jemu śpiewała | With great joy she sang to him....

Li li li li laj, moje Dzieciąteczko | Li li li lai, my sweet, sweet Child

Li li li li laj, śliczne Paniąteczko | li li li lai, my  lovely, beautiful Child

Wszystko stworzenie śpiewaj Panu swemu, | Sing to the Lord all of creation,

Pomóż w radości wielkiej sercu memu. | Help my heart, oh great joy.

Honestly, the translation doesn't do the original version justice. The song has been on replay on my itunes since i heard it... and has stirred me to deep reflection, especially as we enjoy and embrace our 5 month old baby boy, Elias... who brings us great joy!

Maybe it's because the melody of the song is very much a lullaby... but as i look at him i think of Mary looking at her sweet baby boy... thinking, "how are you ever going to save the world?"... but believing in her heart that though she could not comprehend, that God would make a way for His plan...

Also during the business of Christmas (or just life in general!) it can be easy to see our children, and especially baby's as annoying distractions... it's easy to want to pass off baby elias or not pay much attention to him as i busy about making dinner and tending to the laundry... but these days i have simply treasured holding him, rocking him, singing him this song... being reminded that he too is God's great gift to me and our family. Though he was not "born to save the world" ~ God has a great plan for his life... he is a beautiful, lovely, sweet child and i am so thankful that God has used this song to remind me to embrace and rejoice in the intimate moments of mother and child.

"z wielkim weselem"... with great joy

"tak Jemu spiewała"... she sang to him

This line also reminds me of how all of creation will worship the King...

"wszystko stworzenie śpiewaj Panu swemu"... all of creation sing to your Lord

I love how the Bible reminds us that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and that if we keep silent (in our worship of Him) that even the stones would cry out! (see verses below) I love how The Song of the Stars, a Christmas book we received this year tells the story of all of creation worshipping the King!

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

{Phil 2:9-11}

“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

{Luke 19:38-40}

How's that for random?!

Here are a few other things that have been floating around my head to share...

1. A sweet Christmas Morning album from Anthony Skinner.... it's a free download!

2. A really great rendition of Little Town of Bethlehem by Storynory which is also a GREAT podcast for kids on itunes (it's free too) Would totally recommend checking it out if you have littles!

Merry Christmas!