Day 2 – Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent
Take a moment to listen and reflect on the beautiful words of “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” paying special attention to the following verses:
Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly-minded,
for with blessing in his hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
our full homage to demand.
King of kings, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
in the body and the blood,
he will give to all the faithful
his own self for heav’nly food.
The words, “ponder nothing earthly-minded” and “our full homage to demand” capture my attention. Then the reference to Jesus’ promise that He is the bread of life, “his own self for heav’nly food” given to us is breath-taking.
How much time do we spend each day thinking meditatively or “pondering” things related to God and our life in Him? As we take this time to prepare for the celebration of His coming, let’s make more time to spend with the Lord of all.
How about homage? “Homage” means a public show of respect or honor towards someone or something. Do you fully bend your knee, or in contemporary terms, yield your life, to the Lordship of Jesus Christ personally and before others?
It’s tough in our society to stand uncompromisingly for our beliefs. But Jesus warns us, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38) This is not a small thing. Asking God for courage to speak the words, “Merry Christmas” when sales clerks greet you with “Happy Holidays” is one simple way to speak your belief out loud.
The carol reminds us that Jesus is our “heavenly food.” Are you taking time to “feed” on God’s Word? Is He the true nourishment for your life?
Much to consider. Take a few moments before you begin your day and thank Him for all He is and does in your life. Pray for His Spirit’s power within to expand your time spent with Him, yield to His lordship, and receive the nourishment of His abiding Presence in your life.
Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me. However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:35-40)
