Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Remember the Christmas song, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen?  Just in case you don’t, here are the lyrics to the first verse:

God rest ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

This song came to my mind today as I was contemplating how to write this blog. My purpose here is to show you the gems that God places along our paths to make the journey a little sweeter. I witnessed a real life example of comfort and joy a few months ago when a young friend had to have what turned out to be a fairly serious surgery. This comfort and joy came from two everyday objects that you wouldn’t ordinarily consider to be special gems from God.

 After the surgery and a time in the Recovery Room, Millie was finally wheeled into the room that would become her home away from home until the next day. The anesthesia had done a number on Millie’s system and she was one sick woman. Her husband and I did all we could to comfort her. As Millie became sicker and sicker, she asked her husband, Scott, if he had brought her stuff in out of the car. He told her he had brought in the backpack she had packed for the trip.

“But did you bring in my Chapstick © and my pillow?” she asked.

He replied, “No, but I’ll go get it in a few minutes.”

A few minutes passed before the subject came up again. In a frail voice she asked pitifully, “Scott, will you please to go to the car and bring in my Chapstick © and my pillow?”

He left the room immediately, having heard the desperation in her voice. When he returned and handed her the items she had requested, she immediately used the Chapstick © and placed “her” pillow across her stomach to cushion the incision when she coughed. The hospital had other pillows she could have used, but there was an uncommon comfort to be found in that pillow. The two items – her Chapstick © and her pillow – became somewhat of a lifeline for her.

She continued to get sicker and sicker from the anesthesia and an overnight stay turned into a three night stay. It took her that long to be able to keep any food down. Day and night, the two friends from home stayed close enough to be within reach. Day and night, they comforted Millie and made her feel better. Her health gradually improved with the help of these everyday items. They became beautiful gems for her to hold onto as she traveled down a road she hadn’t planned to navigate.

The carol above reminds us that we shouldn’t let anything bring us dismay because God has provided our comfort and joy through that baby born in a manger. As unlikely as it seems, He loves us enough to provide a way to bring us comfort and joy everyday – even if it involves Chapstick © and a pillow.

What brings you comfort and joy?  I’d love for you to share your story with me.

Let's make today a joy-filled day-

Cathy

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen was first published in 1833 when it appeared in "Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern," a collection of seasonal carols gathered by William B. Sandys. The lyrics of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen are traditional olde English and are reputed to date back to the 15th century although the author is unknown.. It is believed that this particular carol was sung to the gentry by town watchmen who earned additional money during the Christmas season. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen continues to be enjoyed. The lyrics to this simple carol are reputed to be one of the oldest carols.