Chains Shall He Break

Would you rather listen than read? Listen here.

Christmas Eve

Hand in hand with three kids under the age of eight, on Christmas Eve we walked into the massive sanctuary of people hustling and bustling around. Feeling overwhelmed by all the new people, we found our place to sit. We had just moved to Orlando the month prior for my husband to join the other pastors at First Presbyterian Church of Orlando.

Before this moment, I had only ever attended Christmas Eve services at a much smaller church in Texas. Everyone took their seats, and I sat mesmerized as the musicians took their places in front. This was not just a few, but a chamber orchestra.

O Holy Night

As they played, I sat enthralled by the Christmas songs. Then, John Easterlin, from the New York Metropolitan Opera, took his place behind the microphone. The next few minutes captivated me in ways a song has never captivated me before. The words of ‘O Holy Night’ brought me into the manger where our Savior was born. I found a video of John singing at a different church if you would like to watch it here.

Since that Christmas Eve service of 2006, Christmas has not felt like Christmas if I do not hear the words of ‘O Holy Night.’ The lyrics, “Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices, O night divine” take me to a place I can try to envision what it must have been like when the shepherds saw the angels announcing the birth of Jesus. I know what I picture in my mind and what the shepherds actually saw cannot even compare. Can you imagine what this would have been like?

Heaven Came To Earth

The Shepherds were doing what they always do, guarding the sheep. They sat under the cool night sky like they did every night. But this night was different from anything they could ever have imagined. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and says, “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:10-12 NLT)

If this was not enough, the sky was filled with the armies of Heaven. Heaven literally came to earth that night. Both in the form of a baby and the angels who worship God in Heaven appeared for the lowly shepherds to see. Have you ever noticed that it was the shepherds they appeared to? They did not come to the Kings, or others in high standing. They came to the ones that were considered the least in society. As the angels appeared, they continued doing what they continuously do in Heaven, they worshiped.

Armies Of Heaven

“Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.’”

Luke 2:13-14 NLT

Throughout the scriptures, we find God connecting with His people in many ways. We see Him show up in a burning bush to Moses. The angel of the Lord appears to Hagar in the dessert. Jesus came to Earth as a baby, and there are many other examples. The one thing to notice in all of this is that He appears to those who are humble. Those that will listen. Those that are seeking more.

Chains Shall He Break

Just like the verse in ‘O Holy Night,’ “Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother. And in His name, all oppression shall cease.” Jesus came to set us free. He has appeared to many that were desperate and in need of a Savior. He desires for each of us to allow Him to come in and break the chains that are holding us back. God wants us to live our lives free in Him.

This Christmas, there is not a better gift than to allow Jesus to set you free. What in your life is keeping you from living to the fullest? Do the words of a parent or loved one hold you back? Is there a lie you believe about yourself? Is there something you just cannot forgive yourself for? Do you have an addiction you can’t break free from? Chains that bind us can come in many forms.

Break The Chains

This Christmas come before the Lord and ask that He break the chains holding you back. Most of us know exactly where the chains began. Go back to those places and pray for God to change the outcome. For the lies you believe about yourself, ask God to show you the truths. I pray this Christmas you can find freedom in the One who came in the manger to rescue you and break the chains that bind you.

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