A Soft Heart for Christmas

Some Christmases I have a harder time preparing my heart for the humility and worship it takes to receive the Christ-child again into the manger of my heart. This season, I have been helped wonderfully by the advent book Love Came Down at Christmas by Sinclair B. Ferguson.

At first I had a ho-hum attitude as the book is based on the very familiar 1 Corinthians 13, the Love Chapter. Ferguson brings a freshness to the study of this chapter that is insightful and, for me, deeply convicting. It was just what I needed.

Although Ferguson’s eye-opening delve into this Scripture is the real treasure, he has also chosen poems, prayers, and prose from writers throughout history to end each chapter. In Chapter 6, the poet implores God to help him find and not just seek. In Chapter 7, the poet asks for the grace to let Jesus reside in his heart and that the Holy Spirit would make it His dwelling. Every poem blesses.

I am ending with a poem from Chapter 5 that has been my prayer for myself this Advent season. I hope you love the message as I do, and may God richly bless your heart as you bring it as a gift to Him in the season of His birth.

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Ah, Lord, dost thou not see my heart?                                                                                                             Alas, how little love!                                                             I pray thee, do not lose thy part;                                                                                                                              Drop softness from above,                                                                                                                                        Oh, keep it tender, keep it soft,                                                                                                                                That I may know to raise,                                                                                                                                             And quickly fit the lowest string,                                                                                                                                        Unto a tune of praise.

Make my heart softer, softer still,                                                                                                                                 Me like thy mourning dove;                                                                                                                                              I mourn because I cannot mourn,                                                                                                                              But Lord, thou knowest I love.                                                                                                                                        Make my heart softer, softer still,                                                                                                                                That by thy gracious hand,                                                                                                                                                        A deep impression may be made,                                                                                                                           Even from the least command.

 John Mason 1646-1694

Love Came Down at Christmas: Daily Readings for Advent by Sinclair B. Ferguson

Christmas Blessing

May God drop softness into your heart and fit its lowest string to worship Him!

Love,

Casey