Peace In The Margins

One of my favorite Christmas Carols is God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen. The first stanza reads as follows:

God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day

And while many of us will sing this hymn during the Christmas season, you may not know that the words “merry” and “rest” had very different meanings in mid-1700s England when the song was written. If translated today the line would read as: “God keep you mighty, gentlemen” which in ‘Merry Old England’ at that time referred to the lamplighters and additional men hired to patrol during the holidays. 

There are so many people in my life who have been light bearers for me. From my family to my friends t strangers on the street, I am grateful for the lessons these individuals have taught me and the impact they have had on my life. Carrying the torch for me when I deny my ability to accomplish a new draft, when I don’t believe I can make my blog post deadline, or when I’m just not feeling as if I am worthy of the role I’ve been given.

More importantly, I am so blessed by light bearers who are not afraid to be honest with me and give positive yet constructive criticism, who pick me up when I’ve beaten myself down, and who ensure I never forget that above all, I am worthy because Christ came as a baby with an eternal destination of salvation because He loves me. 

Thank you all for carrying the torch on my behalf. You are the true gift this Christmas season.