Let Nothing You Dismay......Remember

"God rest ye merry, gentlemen. Let nothing you dismay.  Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day."  We don't sing that particular Christmas carol as much as some others, but if you have your radio or TV tuned to Christmas music all day, as I do, it's bound to come up!

There's a lot in the world right now that could cause us dismay.  Certainly the recent events in Newtown could do that.  And I'm not suggesting that we shouldn't feel dismayed over that kind of tragedy.  After all, the Bible tells us to "rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep."  But whether it's events in Newtown or in Washington or in Benghazi or even closer to home, we need to be careful that we don't let the dismay consume us.  That we choose not to let it lead us to depression or despair.

And the very next line of the song gives us a reason why........."remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day."  It's important that we do that.  Remember.

While this carol has a catchy tune, the language of this carol, written in the mid-18th century, is archaic.  We don't often say to friends or family, "God rest ye merry!".  But despite the archaic language, the message is timeless.  No matter our circumstances, there's no reason to be dismayed.  Certainly we will experience times of sadness in life, as well as times of great joy.  But through all of that, whatever comes our way, this truth remains:  Christ our Savior was born to save us from Satan's power!   Definitely "tidings of comfort and joy!"

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

 

God rest ye merry, gentlemen. Let nothing you dismay.

Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day;

To save us all from Satan's pow'r when we were gone astray.

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;

O tidings of comfort and joy.
 

-traditional English carol