Last night’s devotion by Nancy Wolgemuth was on remembering. Her message resonated with me so strongly that I woke up this morning and decided to share my thoughts with you. The hymn focus was on “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”.

Wolgemuth writes: ”‘God rest ye merry’ was an old English expression that basically meant, ‘may God make you or keep you joyful.’” She continues, “But why? What was the basis for this joy, the merriment?” (p. 83)

Wolgemuth goes on to say that the reason was rememberance. For some people the Christmas season is full of merriment and unbridled joy, and for others the season is not a happy one. It is full of sadness and concern. Remembering gives us the opportunity to “reverse the process” of the negative by focusing on the positive happenings in our lives in our past, in our present, what might be coming in the future. In her daily prayer, Wolgemuth writes, “Lord show me where to look back and remember…bring to mind scenes from my life when You’ve proven Your steadfast love toward me…Remembering fills me with joy.” (p. 83-84)

During Advent, I take the time to look back on the year and reflect on those moments of steadfast love. There are many. To be fair, I readily admit I live a charmed life. I experience so much goodness, I can’t help but see the goodness in others. However, it’s not all wine and roses. Remembering is not sugar-coating the difficult times. How we remember all of our times, good and bad, shapes our view of the present and the future. If we hold on to the steadfastness of those who love us (or have loved us), especially Christ, we remember that there is goodness in the midst of the dark, the lonely, the terrible, and the broken.

I am reminded of Ebenezer Scrooge. If Charles Dickens’ story isn’t this very idea, I don’t know what is. It all comes down to perspective. Scrooge is taken on a remembrance journey. Do you remember how in the past you felt about this? Do you see the present around you now? Your future will be determined by the actions of your remembrance. There is time to change your thinking.

Remembrance is a core tenet of Christianity. Remember your baptism. Take eat and drink…do this in remembrance of me. According to a quick Google search, the word remember is used over 350 times in the Bible. Advent gives us time and space to reorient our perspective so that we are ready for that most holy life gifted to us on Christmas Day. Dear Friends, remember the good and celebrate it. Remember the bad and heal from it. ”God rest ye merry gentlemen [ahem, let’s say humankind], let nothing you dismay…oh tidings of comfort and joy” to you.

Love Y’all, Marla

Wolgemuth, Nancy DeMoss. (2020). “Born a Child and yet a King: The Gospel in the Carols.” Moody Press.