A Christmas Wish: Blessings From The Kingdom

-

Guest Author:   Christopher B. Copas

-

For to rejoice is to be blessed, and to be blessed is to rejoice.

BLESSED are they that love with all their strength: for to be beloved they shall not fear.

BLESSED are they that comfort throughout all things: for they shall always be adored.

BLESSED are they that do not offend: for there is no greater gift (that man can choose) than that of a bridled tongue.

BLESSED are they that are loyal forever: for there is no greater memory than the legacy of trust.

BLESSED are they that faithfully respond: for they shall never be forsaken.

BLESSED are they that endure till the end: for they have proven themselves worthy.

BLESSED are they that hear and listen: for theirs is the wisdom of angels.

BLESSED are they that always forgive: for theirs is the power of mercy.

BLESSED are they who speak and think no lie––who do not contrive, who wear no disguise: for theirs is truth eternal.

BLESSED are they who never conceal the good deeds of others, who visit the sick, and honour their Fathers: for they shall be nurtured by many generations.

BLESSED are they that defend the innocent: for they shall each be known as the saviour of a nation. 

BLESSED are they that endeavour their all: for theirs indeed is the highest height of Heaven. 

BLESSED are they who give the gift of life: for there is no greater title than to be called "Mother"––than to be called "Father."

BLESSED are they who bestow an act of good in the violent face of evil: for by their love they shall overcome hate.

For to be blessed is to rejoice, and to rejoice is to be blessed.

REJOICE that you have laboured: for there are many who cannot.

REJOICE when you have been emptied: for there is no greater calling than this––than to be like Christ––without remiss.

REJOICE when you have wept: for the deepest bliss is derived from the deepest sadness.

REJOICE when you have rescued another––whether from suffering, or from fear, or from death, or from strife: for to save another’s life is to truly save one’s own.

REJOICE that you despise all evil: for where evil is despised, it can never take root.

REJOICE that you have sought the truth with all your vim and vigour: for the truth shall be your constant soldier, your fortress everlasting.

REJOICE, even in those that doubt: for because of you and your almighty witness, even these shall one day believe.

REJOICE in your own adversity: for a man without adversity is a man without joy.

REJOICE therefore––even in the bitter that we cannot control: for without the bitter and there would be no sweet.

REJOICE therefore––when the testimony of one man’s stumbling leads to another man’s salvation.

Exalt in your own humility, yet be humble when you are exalted.

For to rejoice is to be blessed, and to be blessed is to rejoice.

For unto you is given all joy, all love, all comfort, and all peace––

For unto you who shall always be remembered, and forever esteemed––

For unto you who have proven yourselves worthy, no matter the cost––

For unto you who defend innocent life, who place yourselves in the utmost danger––

For unto you who endeavour your all, to you the eternal victor––

For unto you who have emptied yourself to the fullest degree––

For unto you whose path has been made straight for those you do not know nor seek, for the salvation of many––

For those that have wept, who know what happiness is by the measure of their tears––

For those who have rescued others, who have thus rescued themselves––

For those that despise all evil, who pay the ultimate price––

For those who once felt forsaken; indeed, you are never alone––

For those who have laboured with all of their being, and are worthy of their labours––

For those that witness to the cynic, the skeptic, the atheist, and agnostic––

For those that take a stand, who risk having enemies––

For those who rejoice, even in the bitter, because they know that without the bitter and there can be no sweet––

For those who rejoice, even in their own humility––

I rejoice with you––

I rejoice for you.

For to be thankful is to be holy.

May we always rejoice––and may we always cherish.

For to always cherish is to know the Heart of the Father.

And to always rejoice is to know what Heaven is like.

May you always cherish.

May you always rejoice.

May you always be cherished.

May you always be blessed.

-

Christopher B. Copas