Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Betsy Ore Glass

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. – Luke 2:14 NIV

My father’s favorite Christmas carol was, “O Holy Night.” He is resting in Heaven now but I think of him when I hear it on the radio and it brings sweet memories. Over the years, I would pull out the sheet music from the piano seat and try in earnest to play this carol without error. My father appreciated my annual effort and didn’t seem to notice that the left hand and right hand weren’t always in sync. Let’s just say that “O Holy Night” and I continue to be a work in progress.

Interestingly, this carol has quite a history. It was the first carol ever played live on a Christmas radio broadcast, dating back to 1906. The broadcast on December 24, originating from Massachusetts, was intended for ships at sea and the signal was picked up as far south as Norfolk and even as far as the West Indies, when it was rebroadcast on New Year’s Eve that year. Of all the words in this carol, it is the third verse that has the meaning for me and maybe you will agree, “Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is peace.” That says it all, doesn’t it? Can we claim this as our Christmas message this year?

Imagine what His love and peace could do if it was passed around the world! We could be a lighthouse in the darkness. He offers His Love as His pure gift to us. It is not wrapped. You won’t find it under the tree. It is there in our hearts where He placed it. He wants us to find the light He placed within us and pass it on. Now let us see if we can blanket the earth with His love and peace.

Merry Christmas and May God Bless You!

Betsy Ore Glass has long-standing ties to the Outer Banks. From Virginia Beach, her family bought a vacation cottage in the 60s and her love of the area began. Later in the 90s, Betsy and her husband bought a weekend cottage and introduced the area to their children. Then Betsy’s parents retired to KDH where the family gathered often. Reach her at betsyglass1@gmail.com or read additional Reflections at www.betsyoreglass.com.

READ ABOUT NEWS AND EVENTS HERE.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE COASTLAND TIMES TODAY!