Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Breath of Heaven

This song kinda gives me goosebumps (in a good way!) when I listen to it. I can relate to how Mary must have felt as I too am carrying a revelation of the Christ that has inexorably made me an outcast of institutional christianity.

How does a young guileless virgin explain that her pregnancy came about after an encounter with an angel who told her she would give birth to the Messiah?
"Does she really expect us to believe that she conceived a child without sleeping with a man?
"Does she think we were born yesterday?"
"We know what you really did!"

Young Mary may not have realised the seriousness of the task but she was sincere when she told the angel, (Luke 1:38) "I am the Lord's servant, May it be to me as you have said."

The inception of the baby within her began with this humble confession. The cost would be great. Joseph wanted to divorce her immediately. (In Jewish times, a betrothal was as good as the marriage vow) He certainly did not want another man's baby. But God was watching over Mary. And he gave Joseph a dream that convinced him that God was behind all this.

Mary must have felt the accusing stares of neighbours and friends. Wasn't it every young woman's dream to marry a nice man and raise a family? Mary was no different. But she didn't anticipate that it would come in the manner that it did. She couldn't even be sure of Joseph's feelings for her. No family and relatives to fuss over her and treat her like a princess because the elaborate wedding preparations had to be hurriedly scrapped to avoid any unpleasant gossip. And if that was not enough she had to endure the arduous journey to Bethlehem in an advanced stage of pregnancy.

Perhaps this was the song, Mary sang to herself as she pondered over the path God had carved out for her. Fearful and vulnerable she was when she placed her life and the future of her infant in God's hands. But still trusting in the awesome Hand that guided her own.

Perhaps this is the song that you sing to the One who has led you down this lonely path. You feel fearful and vulnerable as Mary did 2 thousand years ago. But don't give up! Trust Him. The Hands that hung the stars in the heavens are fully capable of guiding you to your destiny which is His holy purpose of revealing Christ the Son.


BREATH OF HEAVEN
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.

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.

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,
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.
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven.


Song 'Breath of Heaven' by Chris Eaton and Amy Grant