Friday Foto Friends: Sing to The Lord A New Song -Again!

I actually wrote this last year at the beginning of Advent, but as I re-read it again this morning, I again found such peace and comfort as I quieted myself before the Lord and allowed His Presence to wash over me. There is such tranquility in the midst of the noise of the earth as I come before the Lord in reverence and awe, and enjoy again the beauties of His world surrounding me.

Today is Friday Foto Friends day, and I really didn't have anything new to share that I haven't already shared during the week...but these photos from last year have blessed me again this morning, so I hope you will relax and take time to prepare your heart for the Advent of our Lord.

Original Post 11/26/2016:

As I gathered together the fresh pine boughs and holly branches filled with bright red berries, and placed the cedar candle stands in the center of the wreath that will hold the candles for our advent services throughout these next four weeks prior to Christmas, my heart began to sing to the Lord "a new song"

"Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!

Sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, bless His name;

Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.

Declare His glory among the nations,

His wonders among all peoples.

For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised;

He is to be feared above all gods."

Psalm 96:1-4

I sat down in the garden and allowed myself a few moments of rest and relaxation after the hectic pace of this past week...and reveled in the peace and tranquility of this beautiful space...

This is our memorial garden, dedicated to the memory of our son Matthew, who left this world far too soon at the age of 41 just a couple of years ago.  I turned on the fountain and let the rippling sound of the water soothe my soul...and watched and listened as the birds began to sing and flit to and fro,

gathering their afternoon seeds and catching a quick drink from the fountain and the bird bath. They, too, seemed at peace and yet excited to sing to the Lord a new song...

"Give to the Lord the glory due His name;

Bring and offering, and come into His courts.

Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!

Tremble before Him, all the earth."

Psalm 96:8-9

As the Lord ministered to me today in the garden, He reminded me again of the true meaning of Christmas...and why we should prepare our hearts for the Advent of the Lord as we proclaim Christ's birth and purpose for coming to the earth...

"For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and peace 

there will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

to order it and establish it with judgment and justice

from that time forward, even forever.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."

Isaiah 9:6-7

What a precious time this was today...the Lord knew what I needed.  I needed a sit down in a quiet place and allow my soul to be bathed in His peace and comfort.  I needed to prepare my heart for the coming of the Lord....Christmas! I needed to make room for Him to enter into my heart and home and life again...and not just go through the motions of putting up all the decorations and shopping for gifts and baking and working and wearing myself out without enjoying the wonder and beauty of this most glorious season...

"Let the heavens rejoice,

and let the earth be glad;

Let the sea roar, and all its fullness;

Let the field be joyful,

and all that is in it.

Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord,

For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth.

He shall judge the world with righteousness,

and the peoples with His truth."

Psalm 96:11-13

I would like to close this post with this song of worship and meditation on the Lord...please click on the link "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" below, and worship along with me as we prepare our hearts for the Advent of our Lord... (be sure to turn on your sound and sing along for a true worship experience).

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing is His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.

King of kings, Yet born of Mary,
As of old earth He stood,
Lord of lords, In human vesture, 
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful.
His own self for heavenly food.

Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way,
As Light of light descendeth
from the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
as the darkness clears away.

At His feet the six-winged seraph,
Cherubim, With sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to His presence
as with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Lord Most High!

Now let's all gather over at Deb's place, "Breathing in Grace", and join our other friends for Friday Foto Friends Day!  Have a blessed and beautiful day!!