He appeared, and the soul felt its worth...

He appeared, and the soul felt its worth...

Posted by Deborah Harter on Nov 28th 2022

SGJ 2022 Christmas Theme: “He appeared, and the SOUL felt its’ worth

At some point we have all struggled with self-worth. Others’ opinions, a failed relationship, a broken family, a failed business or job, age, health and more can cause us to doubt our significance and worth. When someone speaks negatively or lies about us, it can cause self-doubt to take over. During the Christmas season we can all get caught up in what a perfect life, marriage, family, job, and more look like-thanks to the Hallmark channel. But really, who wouldn’t like a perfect “Hallmark” story with those famous happy endings? But reality doesn’t always turn out like a Hallmark movie classic, sometimes reality leaves us with hurt feelings, abandonment, shame, regret and more.

I’ve had situations that left me to wrestle with deep hurt, anger, confusion, a sense of loss and a bad case of “want-to.” A “want-to” get back, take revenge and other “non-Christ like” thoughts! They’ve all played over and over in my mind. But more significantly, I faced the temptation of allowing the situation and words to cause me to doubt my own self-worth. Like so many with deep wounds, we just want to move on and try not to think about it. But, if our self-worth is built by the thoughts of others (and even our own), depression and isolation can take hold. Joy seems to disappear and finding happy gets lost in just trying to get through the day.

Here is another reality. Most of the time those that hurt you are deeply wounded people themselves. They have tried to hide and not heal from their own pain. They spread pain as a byproduct of their own pain. Pain that has been covered up and left to rot kindness and more from their hearts. And so, the cycle just repeats itself.

As I was praying about and researching this year’s Christmas theme, these words from a favorite Christmas hymn ‘O Holy Night jumped out at me. “He appeared, and the soul felt its worth. The Bible teaches us a different criteria for gauging our self-worth than what the world and others define our worth as. The Bible imputes value to us on the basis of every person's creation in God's own image. "So, God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." Gen 1:27

Every human being, no matter their gender, race, accomplishments, or lack thereof are created in God's image. With this truth, each has a unique, indisputable value. Even if they squander every gift given to them and devote themselves to the worst imaginable behavior for the course of their lives. Scripture calls us to specific ways of living and treating others, based on their divine image-bearing status. We are each created in God’s image and have a responsibility to treat others with the respect that they too, are created in HIS image as well.

"With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so." James 3:9-10 This means we are to treat others, both in word and deed, with the dignity demanded by their standing as image-bearers of God. The reality of our creation in God's own image should also and equally inform assessments of our own self-worth.

‘O Holy Night


O holy night! the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared, and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope- the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the Wise Men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend.
He knows our need— to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King, before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we;
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!

This Christmas season can we each take a moment and receive the truth of our worth? A worth that has nothing to do with our thoughts or those of another. It has everything to do with, His birth. The birth of our Savior.

Merry Christmas with love and worth,

Deborah Harter

Owner/Designer Sterling Grace Jewelry