by Eva Marie Everson @Everson_Author
I can’t help it; this time of year, my mind slips back to my childhood, to Christmas tunes playing on Mother’s stereo—Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams—the tinsel on our tree dripping from branches like fine strands of lace, the chilly, inviting air outside, the counting down the days until Jolly Ole Saint Nick finally came. Seems to me that for so many years, my baby brother and I wore what we called “footy pajamas.” I can still hear the sound they made as our feet slapped against the hardwood floors of our home. Pitty-pat, pitty-pat, pitty-pat . . .
This time of year also takes me back to my “home church,” the First United Methodist in downtown Sylvania, Georgia . . . to the patina on the pews, the rich, thick carpet, the stained-glass windows. Although, truth be told, I cannot remember exactly when the stained-glass windows depicting the life of Christ were installed. It seems to me they were always there. Similarly, the organ and piano, the curved prayer altar, and the choir loft with its massive oak cross hanging high overhead. This is where we children made our way to one evening during one special year that lives on in my heart. We marched from the vestibule, down the two aisles of the spacious, darkened sanctuary, our white robes billowing around us, our hands carrying flickering white candles. Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains . . . we sang as if we were announcing the coming King ourselves, just as the angels had done nearly 2000 years before.
Two Wesley Boys
Methodism was the denomination of my childhood; it’s traditions and litanies are a precious part of my spiritual upbringing. And, like any good Methodist, I knew all about the Wesley boys—John (1703-1791) and his younger brother Charles (1707-1788), both leaders of a revival movement within the Church of England known as Methodism.
Now, before this starts sounding like a 7th grade book report, let me explain where I’m going with this post. Most people who know me well know that my favorite devotional book is titled A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants. I especially enjoy the devotions and readings set for Advent, the first season of our church year, those blessed days and weeks which leads to Christmas. Within those readings are two from John and Charles and they always stir my heart.
Please allow me to share them with you now, Writer, as we approach our season of remembrance of the Coming Christ-child. I pray they will touch you as they touch me with each and every reading. Sometimes, they both leave me in absolute tears.
I am a creature of a day, passing through life as an arrow through the air. I am a spirit come from God and returning to God; just hovering over the great gulf, till, a few moments hence, I am no more seen; I drop into an unchangeable eternity. I want to know one thing—the way to heaven; how to land safe on that happy shore. God himself has condescended to teach the way, for this very end he came from heaven. He hath written it down in a book. O give me that book! At any price, give me the book of God! I have it; here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be homo unius libri.* (John Wesley)
~~~
Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone,
By thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to thy glorious throne. Amen.
(Charles Wesley)
Merry Christmas, Writer . . . Merry, blessed Christmas, friend.
Eva Marie Everson
TWEETABLE
*A man of one book.
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