Philippians 2:5-11(NRSV)
“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
I was blessed and struck on Sunday January 3 to hear the traditional hymn In the Bleak Midwinter three times. It led me to meditate upon it. That led me to the scripture for this devotion on January 15. Read that scripture as background to thinking about this hymn..
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place surfaced
The Lord God Almighty Jesus Christ.
Enough for Him, whom cherubin, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a manger full of hay;
Enough for Him. whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.
Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshiped the beloved with a kiss.
What can I give Him poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd , I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what can I give him; give my heart.
Yes, if I were a mechanic, I would.....
Yes, if I were a teacher, I would .....
Yes, if I were a nurse, I would .....
Yes, if I were a physical therapist, I would ....
Yes, if I were a mother, I would ....
Yes if I were a brother, I would ....
Yet what can I give Him; I can give my heart.
Rich Erickson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=278y1yTr83w&t=10s
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