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2020-02-26 to 28 Pictures: Charleston, South Carolina

One of the few upsides of having to cancel our Spring Break trip last March at the onset of the pandemic is that we are "stuck" with a rather large voucher from one of those discount airlines. Last autumn, Tricia and I spent a weekend in Savannah, Georgia and had a...

A John 3:16 Craft for Kids

John 3:16 is one of the most well known and reassuring verses in the Bible. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.John 3:16 (NIV) The following is a little craft I threw...

2020-03-01 Pictures: Lyndsey’s College Signing Day

This afternoon Lyndsey made it official, signing her letter of intent to play college basketball for the Hiram College Terriers starting next year. While she made the decision and committed to Hiram before Christmas, she has been looking forward to this day since her...

2020-02-13 Pictures: Lyndsey’s 18th Birthday

I am little behind on posting photos. These are some of my favorites from a couple of weekends ago when we got a chance to celebrate Lyndsey's 18th birthday. It's hard to believe that my little girl is officially an adult. It was nice to have the family all back...

What is DOCTRINE?

Introduction I love working with kids, and I love teaching them hard concepts in ways they can understand. To that end, for years I have been working on a dictionary of theological terms for kids and teens. In sharing those definitions, there seemed no better place to...

If You Want It Done Right

In all likelihood, you know how the phrase ends: If you want it done right, DO IT YOURSELF! This is a bit of a mantra for me, and frankly, something that I struggle with daily both in leadership and in my Christian walk.  In theory, this is easy to accept. ...

What Does God Hate?

This is the little and humble post that started it all. I happened to be reading through my Bible, and this passage impacted me so much that I posted a little blurb about it on Facebook. That was July 28, 2008, and I've been writing and sharing ever since. (Maybe...

Breath of Heaven [Mary’s Song] (December 8)

Dec8To view the entire 2011 Christmas Carol Advent check out our Christmas Carol Advent index page.

Video

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdLwZCprtkI&feature=related

Story Behind the Song

Written by Chris Eaton, and performed by Amy Grant, this song first appeared on Amy Grant’s second Christmas album titled Home For Christmas released in 1992.  On a personal note, it ranks as one of my favorite “contemporary” Christmas songs.

Commentary & Analysis

This song is written from the perspective of Mary.  Mary was a young woman told by an angel that she would give birth to the Son of God.  She was a young woman who traveled many miles on foot and donkey to travel to Bethlehem to be counted for the census.  Although not based on the biblical account, this song is an interesting account of what it might have been like.  Starting with the question as to why she might have been the one chosen and moving on the fear that Mary must have felt being the mother of Christ to questioning whether she was the right person for the job, this songs reflects on the range of emotion which Mary may have gone through ultimately crying out for God to be with her.  Interestingly, the only thing the Bible tells us about Mary’s reaction was in her immediate response “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

Questions for further Reflection / Devotion

The following questions are meant for your reflection and or devotion.  Feel free to meditate on them, discuss them with your family or others or post your responses here.  I would love to hear from you.

  1. Reflect on what Mary must have gone through knowing that she was carrying the Son of God.  What emotions do you think she felt?
  2. The song postulates that Mary may have waited in silent prayer.  What in your life do you need to pray about and wait patiently for God?
  3. Do you pray for God to make you holy?
  4. At the end of the song, Mary offers all that she is to God.  What part of you are you holding back from God?
  5. In light of Luke 11:27-28, why do you think Christians throughout the ages have been fascinated by Mary?

Lyrics

I have traveled many moonless nights
Cold and weary with a babe inside
And I wonder what I’ve done
Holy Father, you have come
And chosen me now to carry your son

I am waiting in a silent prayer
I am frightened by the load I bear
In a world as cold as stone
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now, Be with me now

[CHORUS]
Breath of Heaven, Hold me together
Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven
Breath of Heaven, Lighten my darkness
Pour over me, your holiness for you are holy
Breath of Heaven

Do you wonder as you watch my face
If a wiser one, should have had my place
But I offer-all I am
For the mercy-of your plan
Help me be strong. Help me be. Help me

[CHORUS]

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1 Comment

  1. timmymoss@SongofSongsCommentary

    hmm i know God sees me as beautiful but it’s hard for me to see myself flawless…..that is why i need HIM! only in him can i be flawless… once his blood washes over me then i can say I’m flawless… it’s like the blood of Jesus is the shades for God! He can’t look upon us but only through his Blood can he see us this way! pretty amazing verse.