The Weekly Encourager – January 1, 2016 – Break Forth!

“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; break forth and sing for joy and sing praises.” - Psalm 98:4

I confess I found it hard to get in the Christmas spirit this year: 2015 was tough for me and for others I care about. Yet, because of the coming of Jesus, “the Dayspring from on high,” there is hope for a better 2016. Even if the new year ends up being “worse” than the previous one, I have confidence that God is working all to His glory, to conform us to the image of His Son. This God who came as a Child desires a meaningful personal connection with each one of us. He will use whatever means necessary to draw us closer to Himself, to remind us of our utter dependence upon His grace, to cure us of the disease of sin, to bless us with eternal life. What means is He using in your life?

If we believe in Jesus, no matter what our current struggle, the dawning of a new year is a time of rejoicing. It's an annual opportunity to celebrate the new age of Emmanuel, God with us, Light in the darkness. “Good Christian men, rejoice! He hath op'ed the heavenly door, and man is blessed evermore. Christ was born for this!”

“Sing, O ye heavens; for the Lord hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified Himself in Israel.” - Isaiah 44:23

“Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted His people, He hath redeemed Jerusalem.” - Isaiah 52:9

Happy New Year!
j

Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light, 
and usher in the morning. 
O shepherds, shudder not with fright, 
but hear the angel's warning: 
this child, now weak in infancy, 
our confidence and joy shall be, 
the power of Satan breaking, 
our peace eternal making. 

Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light, 
to herald our salvation. 
He stoops to earth, the God of might, 
our hope and expectation. 
He comes in human flesh to dwell, 
our God with us, Immanuel, 
the night of darkness ending, 
our fallen race befriending. 

- Johann von Rist, 1641