Tidings of Comfort and Joy

In the midst of pandemic and pain, God brings tidings of comfort and joy.

As my son and daughter-in-law were pulling out of the driveway to journey back to Washington, D.C., I hollered out: “God Rest You Merry!” Why?

Most of us have misunderstood the classic Christmas carol. In 16^th century English, “rest” meant to “keep” or “to continue in.” Interestingly, the word “merry” connoted not only a sense of joy but a sense of might. To understand the hymn correctly, we need to put the comma after the word “Merry,” not before it. The title actually conveys: “May God keep you continually joyful and strong.”

Today’s blessing invokes the old hymn and is rooted in the message of the angel to the shepherds in Luke 2:10:

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God rest you merry!

In the midst of disappointments and dangers,

Receive the timeless message of the angel

To the bewildered Bethlehem shepherds:

Fear not, I bring you good news of great joy!

May every uncertainty be calmed by the high assurance

Of God’s Good News of a Savior.

May every unresolved question be transcended

By the definitive proclamation: Unto you is born

A Savior.

I bless you to soak in the tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and Joy.

Comfort and Joy.

Your Savior is born, He is Christ the Lord.

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And that’s the Gospel!