Throughout this series we’ve been looking to the different ways the word “love” is used in Scripture. As we wrap up the series, we’re going to focus on what I would argue is the most important form of love the Bible talks about and that is agape love. In Greek, the word agape is literally translated as love, but the kicker in that, is that it’s not the type of love that we often think about when we think of what it means to love. In most cases, we think of love as a feeling that is often romantic or sexual in nature, but agape love is far greater than that. Looking throughout the New Testament we see agape love in a whole different light. It’s the type of love that shifts away from feelings and is more about love in action. Not just that, but it is used to describe the love is of God, and from God, but it is also used to express the love we should have for God as well. As we jump in, let’s take a closer look at these expressions of agape love and what it looks like in our lives.

God’s Agape Love

When it comes to understanding agape love, we need to look no further than the One who created us. 1 John 4:8 doesn’t just describe God’s affection as love, it states that God is love. Essentially His character is love and for us to gain a better understanding of what that looks like we can look to Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7

When we begin to gain this understanding of God being love and being a living example of that to us, these characteristics of Him become even more evident within real examples of our lives. He is patient with us in the midst of our sin as He withholds judgment for a time as evidenced from Ephesians 2:4-5. Furthermore, His kindness shines through in verses 6-7 by raising us up from death to life through the sacrifice of His Son. These are just a few examples of God’s love for us from this passage. If you want to explore this a little more, I wrote another blog on it, so feel free to check it out.

Another example of agape love is seen in Micah 7:18-19. The prophet Micah points out that God is not like us, not retaining His anger as He delights in steadfast love. This steadfast love extends into His compassion for us as He treads our iniquities underfoot and casts our sins into the depths of the sea. These verses are a reminder to us of the lived out sacrificial love God has shown His people in the past, and continues to show us today. It is an example that we are, then, called to live out in the way that we love those around us. The best way for us to do that is to draw near to Him as He draws near to us. Agape love is not something that comes naturally to us as broken people, so we have to be in relationship with Him to live it out to others.

The Way We Should Love

From a human perspective, agape love can often translate into our love for things of and in the world (John 3:19). It’s one of the biggest areas that we need to guard our hearts against as Christ followers. Satan wants nothing more than to entice us with “stuff” that will keep us away from God’s heart and distract us from loving others the way He calls us to. We’re reminded of that in John 13:34 when Jesus says, A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. This is our example of agape love. Beyond our understanding of the unwavering love that God shows us, He provided us with His Son. Jesus lived out this sacrificial love for us in the way that he taught and led the disciples. The ways that He cared for those in need. The ways that He healed those who were broken, and ultimately the way that He completely gave up His life for our sin.

Unnatural

In a nutshell, agape love is a heartfelt form of love that leads to lived out expressions of sacrifice, humility, compassion, kindness, care, and commitment. It’s the type of love that sets aside one's own desires to put others first, and if we’re being honest, this doesn’t come naturally to us. That’s why it is paramount to be in a passionate, pursuing relationship with our Heavenly Father above all other things. When we’re connected and chasing after Him, He’s pouring into our hearts and lives what we need to be able to pour His love back to those around us. The evidence of this is seen in the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). It’s truly where we can find our love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

If you find yourself struggling with love like this, my encouragement would be to take a step back and evaluate what’s going on in your life. Ask yourself some questions and give some honest answers. Are you in love with God (pursuing Him) the way that He’s in love with you (pursuing you)? If not, what priorities in your life need to change to make that happen? Being honest about these two questions can change not only the way that you live, but they will change the way that you love. Loving others because He first loved you.

The Love That Shapes Us

The Greeks had a word for familiar love—storge. It is the quiet, steady affection found in family. It is the love that shapes us long before we realize we are being shaped. It is the love that forms our earliest understanding of belonging, identity, and security.

They say that the most powerful influence in a person’s life is their family. Family does more than give us our DNA; Dad’s eyes or Mom’s smile. Family gives us our values, our traditions, and our worldview. These early influences shape the decisions we make, the paths we choose, and the way we relate to other people. Family is often where we first learn to love God and love others. It is also where we first learn what it feels like to be loved.

Growing up, my family was small. It was my mom, my brother, and me. My grandfather lived with us, but he remained somewhat separate from the rhythm of our little unit. The absence of my father created in me a deep longing for family, not just any family, but an intact family. The ideal family. The kind you see portrayed on television.

You know the picture. Mom and Dad happily married. Two children who bicker but truly love one another. A dog, perhaps even a cat scurry around the house. There are family vacations and camping trips. We find dad and the kids playing catch in the yard. We see the kids helping mom bake cookies in the kitchen. These are parents who teach valuable life lessons and listen attentively to their children’s stories. Support and encouragement flow freely; comfort for Dad when the deal falls through, celebration for a child whether they win or lose the game.

Longing for What Felt Whole

It is not that I did not experience love. My mom loved both me and my brother fiercely. She sacrificed greatly to provide everything we needed and even many of the things we wanted. I am deeply grateful for and admire her strength and devotion. Yet I still longed for that love to exist within the framework of two parents together. I longed for what felt whole.

When I married into my husband’s family, I thought that longing had finally been fulfilled. Dave grew up in what I would have called an intact family, Mom, Dad, two sisters, and a brother all under one roof from birth to marriage. It seemed like a dream come true. I stepped into that family with hopeful anticipation. This, I thought, is what I have always wanted.

I was surprised to discover that intact families have struggles too. Being together does not eliminate brokenness. Conflict still exists. Personalities still clash. Expectations still disappoint. The presence of both parents does not automatically create perfection. That realization left me confused. I had quietly believed that if everyone stayed together, everything would be good. I had to confront the truth that storge, while beautiful, does not erase human frailty.

As I was processing that reality, we were beginning our own family. During my first pregnancy, fear surfaced in ways I did not expect. How could I be a good wife and mother when I had never watched a husband and wife raise children together? How could I model something I had not personally experienced?

So, I prayed. I prayed often, honestly, and earnestly. I asked God to be what I could not be. I asked Him to fill the gaps in my understanding. I asked Him to parent this child in ways that exceeded my ability. I wanted my children to have the family I had longed for as a little girl. I wanted them to carry memories of shared activities, meaningful conversations, laughter, lessons, love, support, and encouragement. I wanted them to see Mom and Dad happy together. Loving one another well.

God’s Unexpected Provision

Sometimes God answers our deepest longings in ways we do not expect.

For us, that answer came in the form of two people we did not share blood with, Mike and Sue.

We met them just as our first son was born. What began as friendship slowly became something much deeper. They demonstrated what a loving marriage looks like. Not a perfect marriage, but a faithful one. They welcomed us into their lives and into their home. They made space for us at their table.

They became grandparents to our children in every way that mattered. They watched them so that we could go on dates. They took them on vacations. They bought them gifts we might not have been able to or willing to provide. They celebrated milestones. They showed up consistently.

We spent holidays together. We traveled together. Every Sunday, we gathered for a traditional family dinner. The epitome of family, in my book. We served in ministry side by side. When both of our families sensed the Lord leading us to leave the church where we met, we searched for a new church home together. Our lives became intertwined in ways that felt natural and sacred.

They did not replace our biological parents. They did not diminish the love of my mother or Dave’s parents. Instead, they expanded our understanding of family. Through them, God showed us that storge is not limited to shared DNA.

The Household of God

Storge is often associated with blood ties, and rightly so. There is something powerful about generational connection and shared history. Yet Scripture reveals something even more profound. In Christ, we are adopted. Scripture tells us that we have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ (Romans 8:15). We are not spiritual orphans. We are family. We are called brothers and sisters (Mark 3:33–35, 1 Timothy 5:1–2). We are grafted into the family of God. The bond that unites believers is not simply biological; it is spiritual. It is sealed by the precious blood of Jesus.

Humans like clean categories. Here is my family box. Here is my friend box. Here is my church box. We prefer them separate, organized, and predictable. But God does not operate in tidy compartments. He is not a God of division. He is a God of unity (Ephesians 2:19). He brings together what the world tends to separate.

Family can be the place where we love the deepest and, at times, where we feel hurt the most. It is where bonds are formed and sometimes strained. But in Christ, family expands beyond what we were born into. The church is not merely a gathering of individuals who share beliefs. Paul reminds believers that we are “members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).

Storge Lives Here

Perhaps you grew up in a home filled with warmth and stability. Perhaps you carry wounds from what was missing. Perhaps you are still longing for something that feels whole. I understand that longing. I carried it for many years.

Yet I have learned this: God is faithful to provide what we need, though not always in the form we expect. He may not recreate your past. He may not give you the exact picture you once imagined. But He will surround you with people who reflect His heart. 

Look around our church. There are spiritual mothers and fathers here. There are brothers and sisters in Christ. There are grandparents in the faith. There are children who need to be nurtured and encouraged, many of them look like adults. Storge lives here.

If you are grieving the family you wished you had, lift your eyes. Ask the Lord to show you the family He is building around you. Do not close your heart because the picture does not match your childhood dream. In Christ, we are bound together by something stronger than shared genes. We are bound by grace.

Storge is familiar love. It is steady love. It is the love that feels like home.

And in the family of God, you are never without a home.

God places the lonely in families (Psalm 68:6 NLT). 

Sometimes those families are formed by blood. Sometimes they are formed by grace.

In the beginning, God created man and when He surveyed all that He had created, as magnificent as it was, His creation was not quite finished.  He said, It is not good that man should be alone.  Interestingly, this seems to have been in God’s mind from the very beginning. Genesis 1:26 (ESV) says, Then God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.  Man was never meant to be alone.  From the beginning: God built into mankind a need for companionship, so He created woman: a helper suitable for man, someone he could relate to, explore this new world with, someone to challenge him, someone to counsel him, someone to love and comfort him, and someone to be his first friend!  

Just as God reveals himself to us in the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), there are three types of love mentioned in the Bible: agape (God’s love for us), eros (the love between man and woman), and third, phileo (the bond between good friends, brotherly love).  It is phileo love we are going to explore here.

One early example of phileo love is the friendship between David and Jonathan.  Other examples are shown in the relationship between Jesus and Lazarus, Paul and Timothy, and Ruth and Naomi.  Jesus spoke of His disciples as friends. Obviously, friendships are an integral part of our humanity.

What makes these friendships so special?  I believe there are three characteristics that define phileo friendships, and I would like to share with you four of my own friendships that exemplify the characteristics that make them so valuable.

A Friend That Challenges

Ginny was an unusual choice for church staff.  Her previous job was managing a casino, but her life had changed and she was no longer comfortable there.  I hired Ginny because of her personality and because I really felt God’s leading to do so.  I came to love her because of her character.  This energetic Irish redhead quickly became one of the most treasured people in my life.  I have never known anyone who could tell you the truth about yourself (or your current attitude) with more honesty, love, and humor, or anyone hungrier for growth and understanding.  Everyone needs someone who loves them enough to say, “Okay, time to lose the attitude!” or “You are right and you had better speak up or I will kick your behind!"  Ginny became my sounding board - the one who pushed me to be better, stronger, and more courageous.  She is a giver emotionally, and one of the few people I know who seem totally without guile.  You can’t help but love her if you are around her for more than ten minutes.  (If you don’t believe me, just ask her!)  

A Friend That Counsels

When I first met Anita, she seemed reserved, very much in control of her emotions, with a perpetual positive attitude, and with a kind of experienced wisdom that exudes confidence. She could find something good in every situation. I watched as she dealt with difficult people with a gentleness that I lacked.  She never lowered her standards, but was able to reach out to people going the wrong direction in life and say, “No, come this way,” pointing to the footsteps of Jesus.  She evaluated the effect of her actions and her approach before speaking.  Her counsel kept me out of trouble on more than one occasion and taught me the value of grace and wisdom in dealing with others. 

A Friend That Comforts

I have been blessed to have two friends in my life who possessed the ability to encourage and comfort every life they touched:  

A.J. came to work at the Church shortly after I joined the staff.  She had a quiet grace and elegance that reminded me of the Proverbs 31 woman, but the quality I admired most was her sense of loyalty.  She had a way of accurately discerning the true character of a person and always assumed the best about them.  She is the person who remembers to call weeks after the funeral, asks to see pictures of your grandkids for the umpteenth time, and who can take one look at you and say, “What’s wrong?” or, for that matter, “What’s right in your life?” She is a care giver, whether she is nursing an invalid parent or empathizing with one of the women she has mentored. That kind of friendship takes a lot of energy.  I am not sure she chose that role. I think it chose her. Her home is always open and the place people want to be.  I consider her friendship a real gift.  

I met Phyllis thirty years ago after our sons became best friends in high school.  It did not take long for us to develop that same best friend bond. She was the friend I could always be myself with. Phyllis passed into heaven a couple of years ago, but I still catch myself wanting to call her whenever I face a problem, when something wonderful happens in my life, or when I just need some emotional support.  We walked together through a variety of illnesses, loss, weddings, graduations, financial and emotional disasters, spiritual highs and lows, births, miscarriages, and adoptions.  We have seen each other at our very best and at our worst, yet she was never judgmental, always there to comfort and support.  We grew comfortable with each other, yet she still managed to surprise me.  She made me laugh because she loved life so much.  A few years ago, I lost the job I had loved and devoted my life to for over ten years. She showed up at my door an hour later with a bag full of chocolates and a bottle of wine, held them up and said, “Okay, are we gonna drink or eat chocolate?”  Phyllis was the friend who was always there, willing to cry with you, or make you laugh through your tears!

Bottom line?  We were made for companionship.  The people you surround yourself with will influence who you are and you will do the same for them, so I encourage you to seek out friends that exemplify challenge, counsel, and comfort (the three C’s of phileo love) and make them part of your life.

In the first week of this series, Carmelita challenged us to make a shift towards creating rhythms in our lives rather than resolutions. She defined these rhythms as “a repeated, grace-filled pattern that shapes who we are becoming over time.” The intention was to focus on the reason behind the rhythm, which is our relationship with God and what His Word says about how we should be living. Then, we can go about creating feasible and tangible goals. In other words, our rhythms become our natural lived out response to God’s Word in our lives. With this in mind, my hope is to help you look at the current structure of your life to see where you can create life-giving rhythms.

Stages and Seasons

All of us experience different life stages. These can range from being a young adult juggling college classes to navigating married life and parenthood or later stages like retirement. Each life stage has its own joys and challenges, and I like to refer to these as “seasons.” While stages are typically seen as longer periods of time categorized by major transitions in life, seasons tend to be reoccurring throughout life stages defined by emotions and feelings. As you try to create rhythms in your life, the first step is to identify your stage and season.

Routines

Once you’ve identified your stage and season of life, the next step is to recognize your routines. We are all creatures of habit and have the tendency to structure our lives in a way that allows us to complete the tasks required for each day. I can’t pretend to know what everyone’s routine looks like, but the goal is to clearly evaluate your day to see the consistent pieces that keep the day flowing smoothly. It's in these routines where you can create some natural rhythms. I’ll give you a little picture into my morning routine and how I created a better rhythm with just a small adjustment.

6:25am - Alarm goes off. If I’m honest, I usually hit snooze.
6:34am - Second alarm goes off. I open the Bible App on my phone for a quick time in Scripture and prayer
6:45am - Get the kids up and start the morning routines
7:35am - Out the door to school and carline (every parent’s favorite thing)
8:30am - Get to work

Although this may not be a “to-the-minute” outlook of my morning, it’s pretty close; and it’s moving pretty quickly. Over the years, I noticed how much time it takes to get all these things done in my mornings and planned in a way that I could afford to hit that snooze button. I understood that if I left the house by 7:35am I could avoid a certain backed up school zone making the drive to the school carline easier. While this allowed my morning routine to be efficient, it wasn’t energizing. I had begun to feel like part of my day was missing, and when I was really honest with myself, it was because I wasn’t being as intentional as I needed to be in my relationship with God. 

One Scripture that has always stood out to me is Psalm 63:1 where David says, O God you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. When I read those words and the rest of the chapter (seriously, go read it), I’m reminded of the passionate relationship David had with God. Although he was far from perfect, his heart longed to be with and to honor God. Again, if I’m being honest, this stage of life that I'm in as a parent of younger kids has been hard. I haven’t always pursued my relationship with God the way I want to or need to. Not because my love of God changed, but because I have allowed the busyness to break down my old rhythms that drew me closer to Him. That’s why I realized I needed to make a change. That change started with creating a new rhythm for my morning routine.

Rhythm Created

Let’s jump back to Carmelita’s idea from last week of using S.M.A.R.T. goals to create rhythms. If I am going to create a life-giving, energizing rhythm to my morning it needs to be (S)pecific, (M)easurable, (A)chievable, (R)elevant, and (T)ime-bound so here’s what I plan to do.

Goal: Wake up at 6am to walk for approximately 25 minutes five days a week. This time will be filled with Scripture, prayer, and worship.

S - Walk five mornings a week while listening to Scripture, praying, and worshipping.
M - Did I walk 5 mornings? Y/N. Did I utilize this time for my relationship with Christ? Y/N.
A - This is a realistic weekday routine that allows me to have a more intentional time with Christ.
R - Aligns with the idea of pursuing God in Psalm 63.
T - Striving for a Monday to Friday setup, but may adjust week to week.

Make it Work for You

While I’ve given some insight into my routines, I know this is going to look different for you. My hope is that with the structure provided you can best identify your life stage and season, and evaluate your routine to create your own life-giving rhythm. I’ll also tell you that doing so is going to require you to be honest with yourself. You’re going to need to be real about the ways you can do better, but also driven and disciplined enough to make some sacrifices. Lastly, find someone to encourage you as you begin creating your rhythms. Give them permission to ask you how things are going or if you’re struggling. And when they do ask, give them honest answers. Don’t just tell them it’s going fine. Be real. That’s how you can keep growing. If you have questions about how to do any of this, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Why Resolutions Often Leave Us Discouraged

It’s that time of year - you know, the time of year when someone inevitably brings up the idea of ‘resolutions’. This word seems to have two very different effects on people. For some, it stirs discomfort or even discouragement. For others, it feels like an exciting opportunity to make something happen.  I fall into the first group. I was in high school the first time someone encouraged me to make a resolution. A well-meaning teacher gave a resolution assignment and being a dutiful student, I completed the assignment. I am sure the teacher wanted us to see what we could accomplish if we set our minds to it. Unfortunately, they did not give us more direction than “make some resolutions for the year.” And at the end of the year my resolutions were unfulfilled. 

When resolutions fail, we often lose hope and stop dreaming; not because we don’t want to change, but because we no longer trust ourselves to sustain the change. God’s Word promises that in the last days even the old will have dreams (Joel 2:28, Acts 2:17).  Yet when I ask people about the dreams they have for their life, there is a long pause for thought and eventually a sigh followed by a quick, “I don’t know.” Their dreams have long faded.

Where Did New Year’s Resolutions Come From?

Merriam-Webster defines resolutions as “a personal expression of will or intent especially in pursuit of a goal.”¹ And defines New Year’s Resolutions as “a promise to do something differently in the new year.”² A resolution is often a burst of determination aimed at changing our future selves. This tradition goes back over 3000 years. The Babylonians are thought to be the first people to make New Year’s Resolutions. They would make promises to their gods when planting their crops. If they kept the promise, then the gods would shower them with favor, but if they did not, they would fall out of the god’s favor.

Julius Caesar made some tweaks by moving the beginning of the year from the season when crops were planted in mid-March to January 1. The Romans followed the practice of making promises to a god that had two faces named Janus. This god was thought to be able to see both the past year and the coming year. The people would promise Janus that they would have good conduct for the year. 

Today, most people no longer make promises to gods. Instead, they make resolutions to themselves. Most of the resolutions are self-focused, some form of self-improvement, which is not unlike the promise of good conduct the people made to Janus. Most resolutions revolve around improving health, finances, or are job-related.³ Resolutions focus on outcomes and rely on willpower. 

Statistics tell us that most resolutions Americans make on January first, end before the month is done.  In fact, the second Friday of January has become known as “Quitters Day” in the United States.⁴ Statistics do not tell us why Americans stop (or never start) their resolutions, but psychologists have. According to Dr. Shah, head of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavior Science at Baylor College of Medicine, the most common reason people quit resolutions is that they create idealistic or unachievable resolutions.

Do Christians Need to Make New Year’s Resolutions?

After reading about the origins of New Year’s Resolutions, you may be thinking Christians should not take part in making them since Christians do not need to make promises to gain God’s favor. We know we already have His favor because of our relationship with Jesus, His Son and our Savior, and not anything we have done (Ephesians 2:8-9).  

From Resolutions to Rhythms

Although the goal is not to gain God’s favor in making promises, the beginning of a new year is a good time to reflect on the rhythms that currently shape our lives. A rhythm is a repeated, grace-filled pattern that shapes who we are becoming over time. While resolutions focus on results, rhythms focus on formation. Resolutions rely on willpower; rhythms call us to faithfulness. Rhythms invite us back into hope where resolutions stole our hope and dimmed our dreams.

Some rhythms draw us into a deeper relationship with God while others quietly pull us away. When God highlights rhythms that do not honor Him, it is not Him shaming us, instead He is inviting us to cooperate with His Spirit to establish new, life-giving patterns. This gentle invitation is meant to encourage us to stay the course and to move beyond “Quitters Day” with grace rather than guilt. 

Using S.M.A.R.T. Goals to Build God-Honoring Rhythms

I would like to introduce a method that I believe can help get Christians moving in the direction God is leading. Therapists and businesspeople use a method of crafting plans for their patients and business called S.M.A.R.T. goals. S.M.A.R.T. goals are not meant to replace dependence on God or to turn spiritual goals into a checklist. Instead, they can help us translate our spiritual desires into sustainable rhythms. They move us from vague intentions to repeatable practices we can return to again and again as God’s Spirit forms us over time. 

As you might be able to tell, it is an acronym. Each letter represents a word.

S stands for Specific. One of the issues with resolutions is that they tend to be vague like “I will eat healthier” or “I will read the Bible more.” If we want to act, we need to know what we truly want to do. Be specific.  What does it mean to eat healthy? 

M stands for Measurable. With vague resolutions, we do not know if we are doing it or when we have completed it. Some form of measurement is needed to know if we are taking action. How much is “more” when it comes to reading your Bible? 

A stands for Attainable. As Dr. Shah pointed out, many resolutions are idealistic which means they are lofty and usually out of the reach of the individual. For instance, it is idealistic for a 14-year-old to have a goal to buy a new car when they have no means of income. To faithfully practice a rhythm, we must have the skills and resources necessary.

R stands for Relevant. The articles previously  mentioned point out that most resolutions fail because there is not a bigger picture.  In order words, there is not a bigger-than-them reason to make the change, especially a challenging one. For Christians, our goals should be centered on God. We eat healthy to honor God’s Temple which is our body. Our goals need to align with God’s Word.

T stands for Time-bound. New Year’s Resolutions are time-bound; we plan to complete it within the calendar year. Time-bound goals help rhythms take root. Rather than committing to a year of change at once, rhythms grow through shorter seasons of faithfulness, one week, one month, one next step. These markers invite reflection and adjustment, not guilt. 

A Real-Life Example of a Healthy Rhythm

Now let’s make a rhythm using the S.M.A.R.T. goal method. Remember, the goal is not to master a habit, but to return faithfully to a practice God is using to shape us. 

Resolution: I will eat healthier.

S.M.A.R.T. Goal: To honor God’s temple (my body), I will fuel it with whole foods by removing all processed foods from my home and workplace food storage by the end of the first week. Beginning that same week, I will intentionally eat at least one serving of vegetables with every meal, maintaining this practice consistently through the first month, at which time I will reduce added sugar in my diet.

The goal is not perfection, but consistency. This rhythm creates space for faithfulness rather than pressure to perform. 

S.M.A.R.T. Breakdown

S – Specific

• Fuel my body with whole foods
• Remove all processed foods from home and work food storage
• Eat at least one serving of vegetables with every meal
  

M – Measurable

• Processed foods removed (yes/no)
• One serving of vegetables at every meal (yes/no)
• Completion of changes within the first week (yes/no)
  
  

A – Achievable

• Actions are practical: grocery shopping, food removal, and intentional meal choices
• Not extreme; focuses on replacement, not deprivation
  
  

R – Relevant

• Directly aligns with honoring God’s temple (1 Corinthians 6:19–20)
  
  

T – Time-bound

• Processed foods removed by the end of the first week
• Vegetable intake begins that same week and continues consistently
• Short-term goals – one week, one month.
  
  

An Invitation to Live by Rhythm

As we begin this new year, perhaps the question is not, “What will I resolve to do?” but “What rhythms is God inviting me into?” Rhythms of prayer. Rhythms of rest. Rhythms of Scripture, generosity, or care for the body He has entrusted to me. These are not promises we make to earn God’s favor, but practices we return to because we already live in His favor.

The Christmas carol "Silent Night" has become a cherished symbol of tranquility and sacred reflection during the Christmas season. Traditionally sung by candlelight at the close of Christmas Eve services, its gentle melody and warm glow evoke the peaceful, holy night of Christ’s birth.

A Poem to Timeless Carol

The lyrics for Silent Night were initially written as a poem by Josef Mohr, the parish priest at Saint Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria. When the church organ failed before the Christmas Eve service, Father Mohr enlisted Franz Gruber, the choirmaster and organist, to set the poem to music. They created a simple guitar melody and performed it together at midnight mass in Oberndorf, Austria, on Christmas Eve in 1818.

It wasn’t until spring that an organ repairman arrived at Saint Nicholas Church to fix the broken organ. Gruber’s first song on the newly restored organ was Silent Night. The repairman was so impressed by the melody that he shared it with his fellow villagers. Gradually, the song journeyed through the Alps, across Europe, including Paris and London, and eventually to America. From its modest beginnings in a small Austrian village, Silent Night has become a Christmas anthem treasured around the world.

From One Moment to a Lasting Tradition

One of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had with this hymn is not connected to Christmas, but to a deeply personal moment of faith. During a baptism service on a warm Sunday evening in Alabama, a sudden thunderstorm caused a power outage, leaving the sanctuary in darkness. The pastor and those being baptized were also in total darkness, as the baptismal pool was inside the church and the lights were out. Ushers quickly handed out candles, and as their gentle light filled the space, a serene and reverent atmosphere took hold. The baptism continued by candlelight, and afterward the pastor led us in singing "Silent Night" a cappella. What could have been a disruption became a powerful act of worship, transforming the unexpected into something sacred. 

Silent night! Holy night! 
All is calm, all is bright. 
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child,
Holy infant so tender and mild

That night, Silent Night took on a new depth of meaning for me, not just as a Christmas carol, but as a hymn of praise and devotion to the Savior, the Light of the World. The words brought me calm and peace during a storm that had left us in darkness. The birth of Jesus was celebrated in the song, while the baptism represented the birth of a new life in Christ. The words were telling God’s story, a beautiful expression of God’s love, through a hymn of praise. The atmosphere of gentle candlelight made God feel so much nearer. I could feel God’s presence that evening in the signing of that carol as we closed, …with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.

In the modern church, Silent Night holds a uniquely cherished place in worship life. Its’ message of peace has made it an essential part of Christmas Eve services in countless congregations worldwide. The tradition of singing Silent Night by candlelight not only marks the culmination of the Christmas celebration, but also unites worshippers in a shared moment of reflection, hope, awe, and reverence. Silent Night’s enduring presence in worship speaks to its ability to transcend generations and traditions, continually drawing people together in faith. 

A Song of Peace Across the World

"Silent Night" originally began as "Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht" in a small Austrian village and has since become a beloved global carol, now sung in over 300 languages. Its’ message of peace and hope resonates across cultures: French congregations sing "Douce Nuit," Spanish communities sing "Noche de Paz," and Swahili-speaking worshippers sing "Usiku Mtakatifu." 

Musical interpretations of "Silent Night" vary widely, ranging from simple guitar renditions to majestic choral arrangements. In many places, the carol is performed during Christmas processions or special services, often blending local customs with its well-known melody. These variations highlight the hymn’s unique ability to unite people from diverse backgrounds during the Christmas season.

In various countries, local customs have developed around the singing of "Silent Night." In some Scandinavian nations, the carol is performed during outdoor processions. At the same time, in parts of Africa and Asia, it is integrated into vibrant Christmas celebrations that combine traditional music with the gentle strains of "Silent Night." These adaptations illustrate the hymn's universal message and its remarkable ability to bridge cultural, denominational, and generational divides.

The carol’s simplicity and beauty encourage worshippers everywhere to pause, reflect, and experience the true meaning of Christmas.

Enduring Relevance

More than two centuries after its first performance, "Silent Night" continues to symbolize hope and unity. Its gentle melody and timeless lyrics transcend language and culture, reminding us of the peace that Christmas represents. The carol's enduring relevance lies in its ability to unite people during times of both joy and hardship, offering comfort and a renewed sense of tranquility. "Silent Night" serves as a steadfast reminder of the Light that shines in darkness and the hope that Christmas brings. 

Invitation

The next time you hear or sing "Silent Night," take a moment to listen to the words. Open your heart to the hope that the message conveys, the hope that Jesus brings. He offers peace and calm amid life's storms. He brings light into the darkness, for He is the Light of the World. Open your heart and receive the message of Christmas, Christ the Savior, the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!

“The Story of ‘Silent Night’: From a Small Austrian Village to a World-Famous Christmas Carol. Hymnal Library. December 5, 2025. https://hymnallibrary.org/blog/the-story-of-silent-night/

Reeves, Ryan. “The History Behind 'Silent Night’. The Gospel Coalition. December 11, 2016. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/the-history-behind-silent-night/

Sounds Like Christmas

For me, “Carol of the Bells” screams Christmas and announces the season is upon us. It is even captured in the lyrics proclaiming “Christmas is here!” The tune is catchy and welcoming. It is familiar to us, bringing up warm cherished memories of Christmases’ from long ago. It is timeless and perpetual. I love to perform it with choirs and vocal ensembles. I love how the song repeats in rounds. Its repetitive motif can get stuck in my head with an endless swirl. I am moved by the onomatopoeia of the “Ding! Dong! Ding! Dong!” I like the various arrangements that artists have tied to this former Ukrainian folk song. This song says that Christmas is for everybody, “The young and the old, the meek and the bold.”

Although, one of my favorites, “Carol of the Bells” is not, however, the most popular Christmas carol in the world. That prestige would be reserved for the solemn, calming, and peaceful “Silent Night.” In one search of the greatest Christmas carols in the world, “Carol of the Bells” came in at number 23 on the chart. That’s not bad considering all the languages and cultures surveyed. In the United States, it is a staple on most holiday playlists. There are over one hundred fifty recordings and numerous variations of the song, both instrumental and vocal arrangements.

From Folk Song to Christmas Carol

It might surprise you to learn that “Carol of the Bells” was not originally written as a Christmas song. Mykola Leontovych, the son of a Ukrainian priest, composed the song in 1916, as a Ukrainian folk tune called “The Shchedryk.” It was originally played in the springtime to mark the beginning of the new year. The original lyrics tell the story of a little swallow that flies into a family home to declare hope and prosperity in the coming year marking a joyful time of celebration and renewal. 

Political drama surrounds the song when Ukraine was invaded by the Bolsheviks during the post World War I Russian expansion. The Ukrainian National Chorus was formed which toured prominent and influential European countries hoping to gain international recognition and support. Using Leontovych’s “Shchedryk,” Oleksander Koshyts rearranged it to be a focal point of their concerts. In 1922, the Ukrainian National Chorus made its way to the United States and performed at Carnegie Hall. It is speculated that in the audience that night was Ukrainian-born, American composer, Peter Wilhousky, who adapted the song and penned the Christmas lyrics that we have today. The revision soared in overwhelming popularity in the United States and was particularly embraced by music teachers. 

One Melody, Many Expressions

The song transcends musical styles, genres and cultures. It is adaptable from its a cappella origins to being instrumental background in movies like “Home Alone” or a strong, driving metal rhythm from the Tran-Siberian Orchestra. Even the Bay Life Church choir performed a stirring rendition of “Carol of the Bells” during the Christmas season of 2024. The musical styles of this song span the range of classical, pop, jazz, electronic, instrumental arrangements for violin, flute, string quartet, and piano, along with choral parts including soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. My favorite is still the traditional hand bells. No matter what version or adaptation, we can easily recognize this classic Christmas song.

This reminds me of the gospel and the various ways God’s global children worship Him. The message remains the same even as the presentation varies. Like “Carol of the Bells,” the gospel transcends language, culture, and styles. Imagine a worship service in Africa, Asia, Central or South America compared to what we experience at Bay Life. Even in the United States, church services vary. The volume may be softer or louder. The service may be shorter or may linger longer. The beat of the music may be faster or slower or take on the cultural identity of the congregants. The common denominator is the truth of the Gospel. Since God looks at the heart, the style or length of the worship service, volume or beat of the music, is not the important part. Each believer’s humble attitude and submissive heart is the essence of worship to God. 

Let the Truth Ring Louder than Our Preferences

Whatever your preferences may be in worship style, the flow of a service, or the voice that leads it, may the truth of the Gospel always be what rises above it all. And as you come to worship, take a quiet moment to evaluate your heart’s condition, for it is your heart, more than anything else, that God lovingly receives. He is the ultimate and proficient translator of our hearts' cries.

Sing it joyfully with good cheer. Sing it and ring it everywhere. Throw our cares away into the open and loving arms of God. 

Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas, 

Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas

(Ring silver bells, ring silver bells)

On on they send, On without end

Their joyful tone to every home

Ding dong, ding dong

Merry Christmas Everybody! 

Every Christmas season brings familiar Christmas carols, long-standing traditions, and words we have sung so often they risk becoming background noise. Yet some hymns refuse to become routine. They arrest us. They slow us down. They demand something of us.

For me, one such carol is O Holy Night.

More than a beautiful Christmas song, O Holy Night is a theological proclamation in musical form—a hymn that interprets the Incarnation with honesty, courage, and consequence. Its history mirrors its message: rejected, misunderstood, yet ultimately vindicated. Like the Christ it celebrates, the song arrived quietly, faced resistance, and endured.

A Simple Request, an Unlikely Beginning

The story begins in 1847 in a small French village. A local church had recently renovated its pipe organ and desired a new song to celebrate Christmas Eve. The parish priest asked Placide Cappeau, a respected local poet and wine merchant, to write something.

Cappeau was not clergy. He was not a theologian. His faith, though present, was not conventional or institutional. Yet as he reflected on the Gospel of Luke, he wrote a poem titled “Minuit, chrétiens” (“Midnight, Christians”)—a meditation on Christ’s birth that was reverent, dramatic, and unusually direct.

To set the poem to music, Cappeau turned to his friend Adolphe Adam, a well known composer best known for opera and ballet—not church hymns.

The piece was first performed at Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. The congregation loved it instantly.

Church leadership did not.

When the Message Makes Us Uncomfortable

The resistance to O Holy Night did not arise from poor theology or questionable Scripture. It arose from discomfort.

Questionable Authors

Cappeau would later distance himself from organized religion and align more openly with socialist political ideas. Adam, though immensely respected musically, was Jewish. For some church leaders, this alone disqualified the song from being “sacred enough” for worship.

Yet beneath these surface objections lay a deeper issue: the song meant what it said.

A Carol with Consequences

Unlike many Christmas hymns, O Holy Night does not linger gently around the manger. It asks what the manger means.

Lines such as: “Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother” were disturbing because they turned Christmas into confrontation. If Christ truly came as Savior and King, then human dignity, justice, and freedom were not optional outcomes—they were gospel truths.

For a church that was intertwined with politics and cultural hierarchy, this was dangerous theology.

For a time, O Holy Night was banned from liturgical use in parts of France.

A Familiar Gospel Pattern

There is something profoundly appropriate about the song’s rejection.

Jesus was born not in a palace but a manger. His parents were ordinary. His announcement was given first to shepherds—not kings.

It should not surprise us that a carol proclaiming the radical implications of the Incarnation struggled for acceptance.

Yet rejection was not the end.

Revival Through Unexpected Voices

Decades later, O Holy Night found new life far from French cathedrals—in America.

In 1855, it was translated into English by John Sullivan Dwight, a pastor and outspoken abolitionist. Dwight was captivated by the hymn’s insistence that Christ’s birth demands a new way of seeing one another.

In a nation inching toward civil war, the song took on fresh attention. Christmas was no longer merely about comfort; it was about conviction.

Ironically, what once disqualified the song now secured its place: it took the Gospel seriously.

Theology Sung, Not Softened

What makes O Holy Night endure is not nostalgia—it is truth. The song does not merely recount the nativity. It interprets it.

1. The Incarnation Restores Human Worth

“Long lay the world in sin and error pining / ’Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth”

This lyric captures a foundational Christian truth: our worth is not self-created or discovered through achievement. It is revealed when God comes near.

At Christmas, humanity does not find itself—it is found.

The worth the soul feels is not flattery; it is redemption.

2. Hope Is Born in Dark Places

“A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices”

The world is weary because sin is heavy. Scripture never minimizes this. Yet Christ enters anyway.

The song teaches us that:

• Hope is available.
  
• Joy is available.
  
• Light does not pretend darkness away—it pierces it.
  
  

This is why O Holy Night can be sung honestly in seasons of grief, uncertainty, and struggle.

3. Worship Requires Surrender

“Fall on your knees”

This is not poetic exaggeration—it is a theological command. This is the part that gets to me every time!

Every biblical encounter with God produces a response. Revelation demands repentance. Grace invites humility.

O Holy Night reminds us that Christmas is not primarily about admiration—it is about worship.

4. The Gospel Disrupts Injustice

“Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother”

This line explains the hymn’s long struggle for acceptance.

The Gospel does not merely forgive individuals; it reorders relationships. In Christ:

• All people matter.
  
• God can break chains of oppression and sin.
  
• No worship disconnected from love is complete.
  
  

The Incarnation insists that how we treat one another matters to God.

Why This Song Still Matters for the Church

In every generation, the Church faces the temptation to domesticate Christmas—to make it safe, charming, and non-disruptive. O Holy Night will not allow that.

It reminds us that:

• Christmas declares God’s rescue mission, not humanity’s self-congratulation.
  
• Hope is costly.
  
• Worship is embodied.
  
• Love has implications.
  
  

The song endured rejection not because it was easy to sing, but because it was true.

And truth—like Light—cannot be permanently silenced.

A Final Invitation

When we sing O Holy Night this Christmas, we are not merely remembering a moment in history. We are responding to a reality that still changes everything.

The question the hymn leaves us with is simple—and searching:

If Christ has come,
If chains are meant to be broken,
If the soul has felt its worth,
Will we fall on our knees?

Christmas Eve Services

Growing up I remember being at church for Christmas Eve every year. I grew up going to a small Southern Baptist church, where my uncle was the worship pastor, before moving to another slightly bigger Southern Baptist church not too far away. There were two songs that I’ll always remember as staples at Christmas Eve services; the first is Silent Night. I won’t spend any time on that one, but it’s also one of my favorite Christmas carols. While Silent Night was often the finishing song for these services, the one that stands out just as much was almost always the opener: Joy to the World. The reason this song stands out is that it was always such a joyous and upbeat song that we sang to celebrate the birth of our Savior. Not only did we have the opportunity to rejoice in this truth together, I also loved the deep voices of the men’s choir as they belted out those opening words, “Joy to the world! The Lord is come.” Even as a child it was a moment filled with joy, but also the hope that we can all have in Jesus. With this in mind, let’s dive into the song. If you know the words, fantastic, but if you don’t, here they are.

Joy to the World Lyrics

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Fun Fact

Did you know that the famous Christmas carol “Joy to the World” by Isaac Watts, wasn’t even written as a Christmas carol, much less a song? In fact, “in 1719, Watts published a book of poems in which each poem was based on a psalm. But rather than just translate the original Old Testament texts, he adjusted them to refer more explicitly to the work of Jesus as it had been revealed in the New Testament.”

Quick Look In Psalm 98

As we think back on this song in light of this chapter of Scripture, the themes of Psalm 98 jump off the page. In verses one and two we’re reminded to not only sing to the Lord a new song but to also, remember that He has provided salvation and revealed his righteousness in the sight of nations. While verse 4 implores the reader to make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth in joyous song and sing praises!  These verses leap from the pages as a proclamation to lift up our praises to our God. To remember His love and faithfulness.

Although the author who penned the Psalm is unknown and hadn’t seen the fulfillment of these words through the birth of Jesus, when Watts wrote Joy to the World, he had. Watts, just like us, understood the sacrifice Jesus made for the world, but it wasn’t just His sacrifice on the cross, it was humility He showed, to leave His place in Heaven. To be born like all of us, giving up His equality with God. Not only that, but Watt’s words echo the truth found in the final verse of the chapter that says, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. It’s where we can find our hope and shout out with joy, that Jesus will return again. And when He does, these words will ring true. “No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found.”

Take Heart

I don’t know what’s going on in your life right now, but God does. As we walk through this Christmas season, my prayer is that you’ll find your peace and rest in Him. Regardless of the circumstances you’ve been through over the course of the year, or struggles you are facing right now, remember this. We serve a faithful God. A God who sees us where we are. A God who loves us enough that He gave His one and only Son for our salvation. That longs to spend time with you and be your strength. Wherever you are, whatever is going on, my hope for you this holiday season is that when you hear this song, that same joy will stir up in your heart. That you’ll be reminded of God’s love for not just the world, but His love for you. Remember all that He’s done and trust that He’s working towards the day, where there is no more sin or sorrow present. Until that time though, we rejoice in the love that He’s shown as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Joy to the World, the Lord has come!

More recently, this old poem and hymn has been turned into a radio classic by the band Casting Crowns. Yet the lyrics of this beautiful Christmas song have been famous for over 150 years at this point. 

The author of the original poem, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, was a well-known literary critic and poet who lived during the American Civil War. In July of 1861, as Henry was taking a nap, he woke up to the screams of his wife, Fanny. Her dress had caught on fire from a nearby candle and had begun to spread quickly. Henry rushed into the room and grabbed a rug to try and put out the flames engulfing his wife. When that was unsuccessful, he used his own body to try and douse the flames. His wife died the next morning due to the injuries. 

Henry himself was so badly burned that he was unable to attend his wife’s funeral, and from that point on, he wore a beard to cover the severe scars on his face. At that point, Henry became a two-time widower; his first wife having died due to a miscarriage in 1835. 

After Fanny’s death, Henry experienced deep grief and depression in his personal life. All the while, the political backdrop of his day was becoming more and more tumultuous. The American Civil War, which started in April of 1861, would lead to more deaths than any other war in American history. Neighbors, friends, and loved ones were all being caught up in the war. 

Two years later, Henry’s son Charley was commissioned on March 27, 1863, as a Second Lieutenant in the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry. Later that year, on December 1st, Henry received a telegram stating that his son had been shot and could potentially face paralysis for the rest of his life. 

It was then, on Christmas Day of 1863, while he was still mourning the death of his wife, and uncertain about his son’s recovery, that he sat down at his desk and penned the poem “Christmas Bells,” which would later become the beloved hymn. 

Throughout the song, there is a deep tension between the joy of Christ’s birth and the wickedness of war. In the original poem, the author reveals his despair as he shows he has been up all night on Christmas Eve, and contrasts the message of peace and God’s presence at Christmas with the death and hatred within the war. Even mentioning the distant cannons heard from his home alongside the ringing of the Christmas bells. 

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
     A voice, a chime,
     A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
    And with the sound
    The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Yet the beauty of the song is found in the hope Christ offers despite the brokenness of our world. That on Christmas day so many years ago, a baby was born to the Virgin Mary who would offer God’s presence to the world, and eventually defeat death itself so that we might know that good will one day prevail in the end. 

And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
    “For hate is strong,
    And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
    The Wrong shall fail,
    The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

It’s a reminder to all of us that, despite the suffering and hardship you may be enduring, or the loved ones you have lost, Christmas means that God is with us. God is not dead, nor does he sleep. The Immanuel, Jesus himself, was sent to us by our Heavenly Father, and He will never leave you. And despite the chaos of our world, Jesus offers peace and salvation to those who trust in Him. 

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
    And wild and sweet
    The words repeat 
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

So, no matter what hardship you face this Christmas season, let us listen closely for the bells on Christmas Day, reminding us of the hope that Christ offers. Let us worship the Savior and sing the “unbroken song of peace on Earth, good will to men!”

Endnotes

Taylor, Justin. “The True Story Behind ‘I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.’” The Gospel Coalition, December 21, 2014. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/the-story-of-pain-and-hope-behind-i-heard-the-bells-on-christmas-day/