BOUGHS OF HEMLOCK

Boughs of hemlock, full, adorning,
blessed to greet the chilly morning;
as when Magi came afar,
from the east, beneath the Star,
and gave their gifts to the King of kings,
Creator of created things,
who became a man—a babe to carry—
and trusted the goodness of Joseph and Mary.
 
Boughs of hemlock, rich and stately,
by the roadside waving greatly;
likened to the branches’ way
in Jerusalem that day,
when our Savior Jesus wept,
and on the road to the cross, kept,
to atone for us eternal peace,
from sin’s sure hold, a sure release.
 
Boughs of hemlock, sprinkled snow,
delicate grace on branches show;
like the change from winter time to spring.
A new life planted, faith will bring
fruit and life from a spirit clean,
and the harvest of an evergreen.
Truth and honor in scripture well
will be honored, as time will tell.

 

And ye shall take you on the first day 

the boughs of goodly trees, 

branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, 

and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice 

before the LORD your God seven days.

Leviticus 23:40

 

BOUGHS OF HEMLOCK

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

Isaiah 9:2

God gave His Word through the prophet Isaiah. When light shines in, it changes the scene. When hope enters, it alleviates trouble. When joy beams, turmoil lifts. And when kindness pours, aches are soothed.

For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, and the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.

Isaiah 9:4

Isaiah goes on to tell us God’s plan with remembrance of a past event. It was deliberate in the day of Midian when the odds looked ridiculous for Gideon who led a few men blowing trumpets and breaking jars against their enemy. It was also deliberate when Sarah gave birth at the age of 90. And it was deliberately amazing when King Hezekiah saw an angel standing in the battlefield after it killed 185,000 men of the king’s enemy because he had prayed for help.

God is not timid in making a point. Let there be light, God’s first words in Genesis, I think are deliberate, too. Jesus is the Great Light seen by the people walking in darkness. We are also those people walking in darkness. Only Jesus Christ can break the yoke of sin and swipe the staff of the task-master, the rod of Satan, the prince of darkness.

For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.

Isaiah 9:5

The results of losing the battle of salvation will be with Hell’s fire. We will not all be blessed in the end and some have said. Jesus will divide the grain from the chaff. The grain will go into the barn while the chaff is tossed into the fire. Confused noise and garments rolled in blood describe the terrible scene of war. Don’t be tossed into the fire when the wrath is delivered.

Now is the time to be saved. 

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Jesus Christ is God’s Son given to us through the Virgin Mary. God became what He created—a human being! Jesus is God incarnate. God came to us. In the form of a man, God is with us. Jesus knows us. He, the Messiah, knows our hearts. He, the exact representation of Almighty God, knows our faith or lack thereof.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 9:7

There is ongoing just government and perpetual peace in the kingdom of the King of kings because of zeal. It’s God’s enthusiasm that has brought about His Word and will continue to do so. Christ is powerful and able to accomplish great things! All power is given unto Jesus by God the Father. Jesus’ name is exalted above all names. He is the one who is worthy to break the seals and begin the end times.

Pray in Jesus’ name. Keep asking God for the help needed to endure that hardship. He patiently waits to hear from us in prayer. He is not that far to hear. And sometimes, we have to keep at it like the persistent widow. But in faith, be diligent. The devil cannot stop God from answering prayer. But, he is able to stop prayer from happening in the first place.

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Jeremiah 31:3

We have bare ground here in Veery Glade at this writing. It has been nice to work in the woods and prep cross-country ski trails (on our days off). Soon, the snow will come and stay. I hope to ski around a bit!

And I have enjoyed the music of Christmas, which I usually do every year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!

With green boughs in hand, may you welcome into your heart God’s Precious Light and Kindness.