“Joy to the World” is by far the favorite Christmas song among the Karen. And even after hearing it more than forty times in two weeks, I am still inspired by the message. In different years and seasons of our lives, different verses have meant more to me than others. And this year, the third verse catches my breath each time.
No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found
Far as the curse is found
Far as, far as the curse is found
I’m guessing this sounds a little pessimistic, but the sorrows have seemed heavy this year. The absences seem greater in our lives. My sin seems abundant as I learn to be a wife, pretend to be a working & responsible adult, and attempt to be a part of community stretched around the world. The thorns seem sharp, as we see suffering in Burma, in refugee camps, and in our neighbors homes.
And yet his blessings flow. My parents are here, Stephen’s mom & our friend Karen are coming in January. We have three new additions to our families: two little babes and Katherine’s wonderful fiancé we can’t wait to meet. We will be visiting family and friends soon.
God has provided! We have a home here. We love our jobs, and we love our neighbors. We have the joy of putting bandages on scraped knees, giving hugs, sharing toys, and delivering Christmas presents to children that are truly excited for each and every gift.
And these blessings are extending in the exact places that the curse infests the ground. Our street, our town, our border; your street, your town, your border.
This verse feels close to my soul, and catches my breath as I try to rest in that this Christmas: a full admittance of the sharp thorns and the bitter curse, as well as the blessings flowing over it all.