Yuletide

A few days before Christmas I attended a very festive show, Yuletide, hosted at Chestnut Farms in Dallas.
It was definitely a great night that I’m glad I didn’t skip out on!

The evening featured Lauren Chandler, Robbie Seay Band, and Folk Angel.

 Lauren’s set included a selection from her new EP, which can be found here.
Her lyrics have since been a great blessing and biblical encouragement to trust His grace and sufficiency and continue faithfully, moving forward and looking to the great hope we have in Christ.

After a short coffee break, provided by Odd Fellows, Robbie Seay was up!

RSB has been a favorite of mine for many years. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to see them for the first time live and in a smaller setting. They included songs from their second 2012 album release December Vol. 2: Songs of Advent,  which I’ll probably listen to year round. ;]
And currently, they are offering “Rich and Poor” on Noisetrade here, for FREE. DO IT. And I’m sure you’ll leave them a tip. ;]

My great love for hymns and Christmas carols keeps me on the look out for new interpretations and arrangements of these songs of old. And so I discovered Folk Angel. Their harmonies and acoustic percussive sound hooked me good.

“Folk Angel was formed on a cold night in October of 2009. Our desire as a band is to make known the greatness of Jesus Christ and to exalt Him through the music that we create.
We write and rearrange traditional Christmas songs, and through that creative process we retell the Gospel story that illuminates all things.”
Check out this article by Art House Dallas to learn more about these fellow Dallasites!

And take a listen!
Go Tell It On The Mountain

I left with my hands full of bok choi, several new friends
and a renewed sense of thankfulness to be a part of the universal body of Christ.

***
“Keep your eyes focused and your heart steady.
Emmanuel, God with us.”
***

Weep With Those Who Weep

My heart is heavy for those who are experiencing the great loss of children
in Connecticut.

I found these things encouraging tonight while reflecting and in prayer. Hopefully they will bring some comfort to those in need.
May hearts be directed to Christ in these desperate times.

***

The Briefing Special Edition – Connecticut Shooting

Rachel Weeping for Her Children

***

I read these words born of a season of grieving the loss of loved ones, in this blog post tonight and they rang so true:

Frederick Buechner calls people of God “connoisseurs of sorrow,” for we are alive through the depth of Christ’s suffering borne out of love for us. Today and for the foreseeable future, we wrap sadness around like a cloak. At the very same time, we are people of hope. Christ came to bring eternal life of abundant delight. To this promise we cling. O death, where is thy sting? Seems like everywhere we look at this moment. But a new tomorrow will dawn in which there is no sorrow or crying. For that day we wait.

***

I love the LORD, because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live. The cords of death encompassed me and the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow. Then I called upon the name of the LORD: “O LORD, I beseech You, save my life!” Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate. The LORD preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me. Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. For You have rescued my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling. I shall walk before the LORD In the land of the living. I believed when I said, “I am greatly afflicted.” What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? I shall lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the LORD. Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His godly ones. To You I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and call upon the name of the LORD.
Psalm 116

***

What is your only comfort in life and in death?

That I am not my own,
but belong–
body and soul,
in life and in death–
to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.

He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood,
and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil.
He also watches over me in such a way
that not a hair can fall from my head
without the will of my Father in heaven:
in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.

Because I belong to him,
Christ, by his Holy Spirit,
assures me of eternal life
and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready
from now on to live for him.

(The Heidelberg Catechism, Question and Answer 1)

Fancy Christmas Soiree