Amy Grant released a Christmas CD in 1992 that contained the song “Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song). I played it over and over for weeks. There is just something about the song that affects me. This morning as I was sitting reflecting on God, this song came to mind.
The Chorus is a prayer for each one of us year-round, not just at Christmas.
“Breath of heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven
Lighten my darkness
Pour over me your holiness
For you are holy
Breath of heaven”
Maybe it is Amy’s voice that makes this song so appealing to me. I listened to Vince Gill’s recording of it, same affect. I believe the thought of the breath of heaven breathing life into me is the source of my affection for this song.
Think about the first time you ever read that God created man from mud and breathed life into him. Did you think “WOW!”? I did. Every time I read that passage in Genesis. “God breathed into his nostrils the breath of live and the man became a living creature.” (Genesis 2:7) Breathed life, that is the power of God in a nutshell. He breathes life.
In an anxiety riddled world, it is comforting to know that God can calm those fears with a simple whisper. He breathes life into our very soul through His word, which scriptures tells us was breathed out by Him. Creator. As you inhale and exhale, think of Him who provided that very breath. Peaceful.
I also think of Mary after listening to this song. Mary, young woman –teenager really—conceived our Savior. God chose her, a virgin. She did not know her husband until after her son was born. Fear mixed with joy must have been her constant friend. Others probably treated as a shameful woman, but she had nothing to be ashamed of. Mary’s song in Luke 1 tells us of her reaction “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” First time pregnancy carries new experiences. Fear is definitely one of those emotions. I cannot imagine what she must have felt knowing that God gave her a son in the way He did.
We have the luxury of seeing the whole plan of God’s. She lived it. I see fear but also reliance on God. He removed them from danger and protected her family. She watched as her son grew and left her to start His ministry. She watched from afar His life. Knowing God was protecting Him gave her comfort. She lived that protection in the early days. I cannot think of Mary without placing her at the foot of the cross. Her precious baby, grown and despised by many. He was dripping blood, her DNA mixed with God’s was falling to the ground below the cross. Her baby hanging like a criminal, innocent of all crimes and sinless. Her baby whom she carried in her belly, dying. The anguish she felt cannot be described.
Yes, this song brings all this to my mind. You cannot think of Mary’s song without placing God in the center of it. I hope this song becomes a meditation for you today. From a humble girl, innocent, to a woman carrying our Savior. Here are the lyrics:
I have traveled many moonless nights
Cold and weary with a babe inside
And I wonder what I’ve done
Holy Father you have come
And chosen me now to carry your son.
I am waiting in a silent prayer
I am frightened by the load I bear
In a world as cold as stone
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now
Be with me now
Breath of heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven
Lighten my darkness
Pour over me your holiness
For you are holy
Breath of heaven
Do you wonder as you watch my face
If a wiser one should have had my place
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of your plan
Help me be strong
Help me be
Help me
Breath of heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven
Lighten my darkness
Pour over me your holiness
For you are holy
Breath of heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven
Lighten my darkness
Pour over me your holiness
For you are holy
Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven
