In 1865, William Chatterton Dix,
manager at a Glasgow insurance company,
fell desperately ill: depression,
raging infection, isolation—
this man, dedicated to insuring
the lives and livelihoods of others,
languished, near death.
Then, Dix rallied, experiencing
vibrant spiritual renewal, and
from his suffering he bequeathed us
words for one our cherished carols:
“What Child Is This?”
This Christmas, amid global depression,
raging illness, and isolation,
let’s remind one another
that Emmanuel, God with us,
has come … and will return.
“How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings …
who say ‘Your God reigns!’
“Watchmen lift up their voices;
together they shout for joy …
for the Lord has comforted his people …
and all the ends of the earth
will see the salvation of our God.
“Jesus himself said, ‘I was born for this:
to tell people about the truth.
That is why I came into the world.’
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Have any good news to share? We’d love to hear it and rejoice with you . . .
Alternatively, this is a season of “mean estate” for millions. We’d be equally honored to pray alongside you . . .
“What Child Is This,” traditional English folk song, lyrics by William Chatterton Dix, 1865. Public domain.
Reading: Laurie Klein
Music arranged and performed by Bill Klein
Thank you Laurie and Bill for encouraging messages and music.
Evelyn, you are so welcome. Thank you for listening!
Greatly moved by Bill’s arrangement and your reading. May God bring your ministries back together to continue glorifying Mesiah’s name
Richard, thank you for listening, my friend. Wishing you and Margaret and the family a glorious Christmas and New Year!
Lovely with the musical addition and reading. Very peaceful and a good way to prep for a good nights sleep.
Hope you had sweet dreams after listening.
Merry Christmas, dear Gena!
Such holy inspiration behind your music and reading, Bill and Laurie! Thank you! You’ve provided us all a gift of peace and encouragement. The merriest of Christmases to you–in the face of all that would steal our joy. We will not let that happen!
Thank you for expressing your faith. I am piggybacking on your resolve, Nancy, the way we do sometimes when circumstances press hard against those we love (and our hearts as we watch).
Wishing you and your family a richly blessed Christmas and New Year!
Thank you for this reminder that we are not alone in struggling. A beautiful reading filled with hope and God’s promises. Blessed Christmas.
Linda, thank you for this lovely encouragement at day’s end. May God’s incomparable companionship tangibly envelop you and those you love in the days ahead. And as you enter the new year, may the singular peace Emmanuel promised us gently eclipse the wearing effects of long struggle. A beautiful Christmas to you.
Thank you Laurie for sharing with us those beautiful words, important reminders of rejoicing and hope….with your calming voice and your husband’s lovely music.
It touched my heart.
Dear Roxanne, thank you for listening and for highlighting those vital actions: “rejoicing and hope.”
Wishing you wonder-touched hours all this Christmas week!
Gift upon gift today–a serendipitous walk underneath a large flock of geese. God’s unmistakable message of His faithfulness flown full force into my thoughts (grateful also that I didn’t wear any evidence of their flight);
and then the words and music of this post given to push my gratitude and trust of my Faithful Savior
even deeper–
into this afternoon of grace basking.
Thank you.
Oh my goodness, Carol, another shared pleasure: I jogged along beneath a wafting line of geese today!
I am chuckling over the fortuitous lack of flight pattern “evidence.” : > )
Joyous Christmas to you, my friend!
This was so beautiful to listen too.
Perfect for Christmas week and so well done.
Mike, I am so delighted you enjoyed it! Thank for your kind words. Wishing you a joyous Christmas!
Laurie: this was so beautiful. Like a Christmas gift. I loved the peace-filled music too. Thank you and may God bless you this Christmas.
Anna, knowing this was a gift for you today makes me deeply grateful. From both of us, thank you.
A Christmas treasure, to hear you read and Bill play, thank you!
Dearest Diane, thank you for listening. : > )
I’m smiling as I recall the old “Christmas with the Kleins” days. How young we were!
May your celebrations this year brim with grace, peace, joy, and beauty. xoxoxo
My oldest son, Aaron, is suffering some sort of PTSD.
He is a firefighter.
Husband, father of 4.
It is getting desperate.
I’m praying Psalm 23 inserting Aarons name in place of every my, I and me.
Rick, my heart aches to try to imagine this. Mind if I pray right here?
Holy Father and Bridegroom and Savior, You carry your people out of all manner of fires that rage, trying to engulf us, again and again, throughout our lives. Rescue this beloved son who risks his life to rescue others. Please, intervene in Aaron’s suffering. Meet him in each weary, tormented, desperate hour and shoulder the cumulative weight of shock and illness besetting him. Comfort and strengthen his wife and children and Rick with unshakeable hope born of your grace. Lead Aaron gently into Your peace and full restoration. Amen
I’m sorry for the delay in response. Thank you for your prayer.
My prayers for your family continue, Rick.
Rick: I follow Laurie’s blog and was filled with such grief reading of your son. I was diagnosed with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in 2014. I will be praying for your son. I also want you to know that PTSD has become a gift to me: it has and is drawing me closer to God. He is using it to heal my heart. May you see Him do the same in your son. Sometimes it has to get worse to get better. Much love from a sister-in-Christ.
Anna, it’s so moving to read your response to Rick and his family. I am stirred to hear of the ongoing, unexpected, healing gifts you’ve experienced amid your ordeal. Thank you, thank you, for being to willing to share this here. It strengthens us all.
Anna,
Thank you for taking the time to respond and share.
Your heart and words stir hope.
Sincerely,
Rick
Your brother in Christ
Beautiful…
Thank you, Larry. Merry Christmas, and may Beauty and Peace light your way through these challenging days.
Laurie – what wonderful words and the great news – Emanuel GOD WITH US! Even in the wild year of 2020 He is with us. AND the bonus to me is after 800 years He had chosen this year to once again send the “Star of Christmas” to us to help us remember, EMANUEL! Praise God!
Karl, YES! And thank you for sharing your exuberance and gratitude this morning. It’s contagious! Picture me grinning as I type.
Joyous Christmas to you and all your loved ones!