God Keep You Merry

If the Lord is committed to you, it means you’re a keeper!

My blessing refrain this advent is “God Rest You Merry” because, in 16^th century English, “rest” meant “keep.” The opening line of the old carol actually means, “May God keep you continually glad.”

The scriptures are full of imagery of God “keeping” His people. The oldest priestly blessing recorded in Numbers includes the words, “May the Lord bless you and keep you.” I especially love the words of the psalmist “The Lord will … keep your life.” You don’t bear the weight of keeping God—He bears the weight of keeping you! So, receive today’s blessing rooted in Psalm 121:7-8:

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God rest (that is, “keep”) you merry!

May the Lord keep you glad.

May the Lord keep you safe.

May the Lord keep you close.

You aren’t your own keeper—

Oh, what glorious news.

Pressure’s off!

You aren’t holding onto God,

He’s holding on to you.

You’re secure not because of your commitment to God

But because of God’s commitment to you.

He’s never going to let you go.

I guess that means you’re a keeper.

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And that’s the Gospel!