The Blessings of Kenny G

Confession: I did go to a Kenny G concert the other day. Its not as bad as it may seem, as I had a free ticket, and so didn't pay $30ish dollars to sit and watch a guy blow into a sax for 2 hours. That's what I expected anyway, and was pleasantly blown away. Not only is he extremely talented, but the rest of his "group," as it were, are quite skilled as well. Since it was live, it was much more in the typical jazz style-improve and solos-than you can get on a cd. But this isn't really about my enjoyment of the concert, but rather my reaction to it.

As I was driving home, reflecting on that concert and thanking Him for all the recent blessings I have experienced, I found myself almost afraid of what was coming next. I don't know what it is, but I cannot seem to understand grace. Still. Had coffee with DJ on Thursday, and reflected on 2009. Its been such a great year, and while its had its ups and downs, I have so much to be thankful for, and I can see His hand all over it. I can not seem to grasp God blessing me just because, or Him being actually pleased with me. I vacillate between thinking I deserve blessings, or that He is about to send some hardship, so I shouldn't enjoy it too much. I know better, but doesn't seem to penetrate my heart. I am apprehensive about tomorrow, thinking that there is some great hardship about to befall me or that He will basically say, "That's enough, time for some more sanctification." So twisted. And even when He does send trials, they are not to be feared. I realized a while back, that I have a hard time accepting grace, both from God, and from others. More on that later, but as we approach the New Year, I think it'd be best to be thankful for the blessings of the past, and trust in His care for the future, whatever it may look like...

Reflections on: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

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

It kind of has a haunting tune...reverent one might say. Such a neat song. The third verse has such a neat perspective, much different that what I normally think of during Advent. While His coming was the greatest gift, its more than just a cute story of a baby in a manger. His coming was also the final move in the cosmic battle between God and Satan. He uses battle imagery throughout Scripture, and its reflected in that verse. The vanguard is the first line of troops that go into battle. I can't imagine what it must have been like for the angels who, way more than we, understand what was at stake, and what it meant for the "Light of light" to descend from heaven to become a man. Imagine escorting the King of Kings down from heaven as he goes from All-powerful to the most vulnerable. Gives me chills...

Something to meditate on as we enter the advent season...

The Incarnation

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

King of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on 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 the 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 wingèd seraph,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Lord Most High!