The Prince of Peace: Der Freidensfurst

Visiting my family in Canada this year has brought back so many great childhood memories.  From the Christmas baking to seeing old friends and family. Driving down streets I grew up riding my bike or skateboarding on. But the thing that has captured my attention the most is singing Der Friedensfurst (The Prince of Peace).  Its tradition to sing on Christmas morning in the church I grew up in Emmanuel Mennonite Church.  I have been reading through and translating the lyrics they really are amazing and encouraging.  So here they are... in German!!!

Der Friedensfürst
Horch, die Engelchöre singen,
Horch, die Engelchöre singen,
Dir, o mächt’ger Friedensfürst,
Du Heiland aller Welt.
Hört sie lieblich schallen,
Holde Freudenlieder,
Dir, o mächt’ger Friedensfürst,
Und ein Hosianna tönt auf Erden wieder,
Dir, o mächt’ger Friedensfürst.
Uns ist geboren heut’ ein Kind,
Uns ist geboren heut’ ein Sohn,
Und seine Herrlichkeit
Füllet die weite Welt,
Und er heisst, und er heisst
Wunderbar, Wunderbar,
Der mächt’ge Friedensfürst,
Wunderbar, Wunderbar,
Der mächt’ge Friedensfürst.
Drum besingt den Ruhm des Herrn,
Ihm gebührt der Lobgesang,
Dich erhebt das Herz so gern,
Friedensfürst voll Preis und Dank.
Ehre sei dem Herrn in der Höhe,
Ja, Ehre sei dem Herrn in der Höhe,
Und Friede auf der weiten Welt,
Gottes Friede auf der Welt.
Seid fröhlich alle Völker
Und singet Freudenlieder,
Bringt Ehre und Anbetung, Ihm,
Dem Friedensfürsten dar.
Singt Hosianna, singt Hosianna,
Hosianna bringt dem Gotteslamm,
Singt Hosianna, singt Hosianna,
Hosianna bringt dem Gotteslamm.
Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen.

A Forest Set A Blaze

We are so quick to under estimate what God wants to do with us.  We simply look at life through a natural means, what is possible through our own intellect and ability.  We can't afford to see ourselves different then God see's us.  He doesn't just see a spark in us, but an entire forest a blaze!   We feel like we are all alone, with no hope, no purpose, no reason to believe we will ever accomplish anything great or change history.  All the while God is holding us.  We feel like a sneeze could just blow us out.  That a sneeze would have enough moisture in it to snuff us out.  BUT GOD!!!  God is there, like a good daddy holding, protecting, ensuring that the smoldering spark (YOU) is catching fire and a forest is set a blaze through you!!! You can't afford to see yourself any different then God see's you!

Where is Due North?

You will encounter various trials

We often have a mind set that everything needs to go smoothly. That the life Jesus has for me is one that never includes trouble. That when I accept Him as my Savior, He actually becomes my servant, to fix all the problems around me. It’s the “put your feet up Christian life” that He paid for. We wind up asking the question “When is it going to finally get here?” From the time I was young I remember commercials advertising “freedom 55”, the magical age to retire and not have any thing holding you back. I can still see the pictures of a husband and wife that look to be in their 40’s walking the beach with not a care in the world. We are being bombarded with a message that what we have is not good enough and are to live for a day in the future that may never come.

In the midst of the storm, where is due north?

Jesus never promised us a trouble free life, a life with no challenges or adversity. Dare I say, a life free of… trials. John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Our peace can only be found in Him. This is our “due north”. Upon salvation He has taken up residence inside of us and established peace in us, the Kingdom in us. Oh yes, the world we have been sent into will have troubles, troubles that we will face, troubles that the enemy will try to use to shake our peace. Troubles that we are well equipped to handle because we are filled with the Prince of Peace. We cannot afford to be shaken by circumstances because it is not the situations that we find ourselves in that determine our peace. Retiring at 55 doesn’t offer us our peace. Rejection by our friends at school does not determine our peace. Knowing the day of Jesus’ return will not give us peace. Jesus assures us that He is victorious. The world is defeated and that our peace is found In Christ! That the troubles that we will encounter are there to be overcome by us. The kingdoms of this world are becoming the Kingdoms of our God by the indwelling peace that passes all understanding!

Run to the Fire!
Rich