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 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 Christ had 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, the scene changes. When hope enters, trouble alleviates. When joy beams, turmoil lifts. And when goodness pours, hardships lessen.

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. In the day of Midian, 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 the event of 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, there was no room for doubt at what God can do.

I don't think God is timid in making a point. 'Let there be light', God’s first words in Genesis, were deliberate. Jesus is the Great Light seen by the people walking in darkness. We, too, are those people. 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 Hell’s fire. Jesus will divide the good grain from the useless chaff. The grain will go into the barn while the chaff will be tossed into the fire. Confused noise and garments rolled in blood describe the terrible scene of war and defeat.

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

But light on the subject is knowing love is our Creator becoming one of us. Jesus Christ, God’s Son given to us through the Virgin Mary, became human. Jesus is God incarnate. God with us, Emmanuel. In the form of a man, Jesus knows us. He, the Messiah, knows our hearts. He, the exact representation of Almighty God, knows our faith (or lack thereof). Jesus is the only One with the power to save. Pray for the salvation of those on your heart this season.

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

Pray for wisdom and understanding. There is ongoing just government and perpetual peace in the kingdom of the King of kings because of zeal. 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 for the help needed to endure hardship. God waits to hear from us. He is not far. And sometimes, we have to keep praying like the persistent widow. In faith, be diligent. The devil can't stop God from answering prayer. But, he might be able to mess us up and stop prayer from happening in the first place.

We have snow on the woodland floor here in Veery Glade at this writing, and a snowstorm coming today. Winter is the best season for me to work on my writing as I am so busy during the other seasons of the year and I look forward to that!

And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells digged, vineyards, and oliveyards, and fruit trees in abundance: so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in thy great goodness. 

Nehemiah 9:25

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!

With green boughs in hand this season, may you delight yourself in God’s Light and Goodness.