2022 – Week 13 – All is Well

It’s Christmas week – big sigh!

The sigh is because of the feeling that comes to me the last few weeks the year. The decorations are up, the gifts are wrapped. The house is clean and the meal is planned.

This week I asked the guides to ask the members in their tribe two questions to get some conversation going. No matter the faith background, or no faith background, everyone can answer one of both of these questions. I decided to answer them myself.

I have many favorite Christmas movies – many classics, like “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Miracle on 34th Street”, and some newer favorites, like “The Family Stone”, but I think my favorite is the original “The Bishop’s Wife” with Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven from 1947. The Christmas Eve Sermon that the angel wrote for Bishop Brougham was simple, but so powerful.

“Tonight I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking.
Once upon a midnight clear, there was a child’s cry. A blazing star hung over a stable, and wise men came with birthday gifts.
We haven’t forgotten that night down the centuries; we celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees, with the sound of bells, and with gifts.
But especially with gifts.
You give me a book; I give you a tie. Aunt Martha has always wanted an orange squeezer, and Uncle Henry could do with a new pipe. We forget nobody, adult or child.
All the stockings are filled – – all that is, except one. And we have even forgotten to hang it up.
The stocking for the child born in a manger. It’s his birthday we’re celebrating. Don’t let us ever forget that.
Let us ask ourselves what He would wish for most, and then let each put in his share.
Loving kindness, warm hearts, and the stretched out hand of tolerance.
All the shining gifts that make peace on earth.”

1947 -The BISHOP’s WIFE

Just as with holiday movies there are an amazing number of traditional and newer Christmas songs. I have been listening to more contemporary songs this year, and I particularly love “Little Town” and “Breath of Heaven” by Point of Grace, “Christmastime” by Michael W. Smith, “Greensleeves” by Manheim Steamroller (feat. Elise Davis), and always get a chill listening to “How Many Kings” by Downhere. I still have to say, for the past many years, “All is Well” by Carrie Underwood and Michael W. Smith is the one that gives me chills and moves me to tears almost every time I hear it.

All is well all is well
Angels and men rejoice
For tonight darkness fell
Into the dawn of love’s light
Sing Ale
Sing Alleluia
All is well all is well
Let there be peace on earth
Christ’s come go and tell
That He is in the manger
Sing Ale
Sing Alleluia
All is well all is well
Lift up your voices and sing
Born is now Emmanuel
Born is our Lord and Savior
Sing Alleluia
Sing Alleluia
All is well
Born is now Emmanuel
Born is our Lord and Savior
Sing Alleluia
Sing Alleluia
All is well

Michael W. Smith / Wayne Kirkpatrick

Christmas time – another opportunity to be grateful. What are you grateful for this year?