Healing prayers on angels' wings

Decades ago, I came across the idea of choosing an annual Christmas “theme” from a word or phrase in a carol — a focus within the main message of the birth of Christ to further personalize the season. 

This year as I looked through a selection of songs, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” seemed to beckon. It was our son's favorite carol growing up. Reading the lyrics I found my phrase — “Ris'n with healing in His wings.” It is particularly meaningful this year. 

Our son has not worked in two years. He contracted the Epstein-Barr virus when his wife was hospitalized. She recovered from the virus; he did not. Eventually, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome stole his life. No more home weightlifting workout, no more ability to concentrate, no reading — no more anything. He suffered brain crashes — having to wear dark glasses, unable to tolerate extraneous stimuli. If he was driving, he sometimes needed to pull off the road.  

All this was happening as his wife's kidneys finally failed from lupus nephritis — and she was launched onto home dialysis. She is hoping for a kidney transplant. Through everything our son and all the rest of us — including their three children — have prayed for them both. 

In mid-October, just a couple of weeks after going all out for his son's birthday — and then crashing for two days — barely able to wake, our son began to notice an increase in energy. He could do things and not “pay” afterward. First, he went for a few days with improvement, and then it became weeks.  

He is about to begin walking on his treadmill. He has requested a 500-page book for his upcoming 49th birthday. He is vigorously job searching. Healing is happening. 

I love that in this wonderful, joyous “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” we have the resurrection of Jesus written in right alongside His birth. “Ris'n with healing in His wings” is a truth our son sang for years, never anticipating his need for this particular healing.  

Jesus' power to heal mind and body was His “evidence” to the world that He is the Son of God. He said, “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” 

God's work is a healing work. He wants reconciliation and forgiveness — and hearts at peace — and the end of pain and suffering and disease. Jesus was always healing disease and relieving suffering.  

God's declaration is life forever. Not the “elf on a shelf,” dangling my feet from the clouds. He has more for humankind — life with purpose and joy, and face-to-face glorious relationship with Him — beyond anything known on earth. 

This Christmas my song phrase, “Ris'n with healing in His wings,” lifts me toward the healing power of God. It is mine to hope for — to reach for — because of the birth in Bethlehem. Because Jesus the Son has brought it to me.