Christmas thoughts and blessings

As I prepared our Christmas letter for this year, I was reminded again of God's faithfulness in carrying us through the last year, and so I wanted to add one more postscript to our blog in the form of lyrics from these three songs. We have found them to be true. May you as well.

"Hold Fast"
By Mercy Me

To everyone who's hurting
To those who've had enough
To all the undeserving
That should cover all of us
Please do not let go
I promise there is hope

Hold fast
Help is on the way
Hold fast
He's come to save the day
What I've learned in my life
One thing greater than my strife
Is His grasp
So hold fast

Will this season ever pass?
Can we stop this ride?
Will we see the sun at last?
Or could this be our lot in life?
Please do not let go
I promise you there's hope

Hold fast
Help is on the way
Hold fast
He's come to save the day
What I've learned in my life
One thing greater than my strife
Is His grasp
So hold fast

You may think you're all alone
And there's no way that anyone could know
What you're going through
But if you only hear one thing
Just understand that we are all the same
Searching for the truth
The truth of what we're soon to face
Unless someone comes to take our place
Is there anyone?
All we want is to be free
Free from our captivity, Lord
Here He comes

Hold fast
Help is on the way
Hold fast
He's come to save the day
What I've learned in my life
One thing greater than my strife
Is His grasp
So hold fast


"You Never Let Go"
By Matt Redman

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
You perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won't turn back, I know you are near

I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Oh no, You never let go, through the calm and through the storm,
Oh no, You never let go, in every high and every low,
Oh no, You never let go. Lord, You never let go of me.

And I can see a light that is comin' for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to the struggles
But until that day comes, we'll live to know You here on the Earth

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Oh no, You never let go, through the calm and through the storm,
Oh no, You never let go, in every high and every low,
Oh no, You never let go. Lord, You never let go of me.

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on,
and there will be an end to the struggles,
but until that day comes,
Still I will praise You,
Still I will praise You...

Oh no, You never let go, through the calm and through the storm,
Oh no, You never let go, in every high and every low,
Oh no, You never let go. Lord, You never let go of me.


"Bring the Rain"
By Mercy Me

I can count a million times
People asking me how I can praise You
With all that I've gone through.
The question just amazes me--
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You?

Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord,
My only shelter from the storm,
But instead I draw closer through these times.
So I pray...

Bring me joy, bring me peace,
Bring the chance to be free,
Bring me anything that brings You glory.
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain,
But if that's what it takes to praise You,
Jesus, bring the rain.

I am yours regardless of
The clouds that may loom above
Because you are much greater than my pain.
You who made a way for me,
Suffering your destiny,
So tell me, "What's a little rain?"

Bring me joy, bring me peace,
Bring the chance to be free,
Bring me anything that brings You glory.
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain,
But if that's what it takes to praise You,
Jesus, bring the rain.