For a couple of decades, Whitney Houston became the female version of Michael Jackson, the most popular female singer of her generation. Blessed with an amazing voice and able to hit high notes that few will even try, Whitney was able to speak to and touch those who listened to her music. While there were several Christmas songs that I could have chosen from Whitney who died way too soon in life, O Come O Come Emmanuel seems fitting for this occasion.
Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel—which, when translated, means, God with us, Matthew 1:23.
Depending upon the translation of the Bible that you prefer, Emmanuel is spelled with an E or an I. What makes the word Emmanuel special is that God’s promise of sending a Savior in the form of a human being arrived as Mary gave birth to Jesus. Although there were no rooms available in local inns due to the Census, Mary and Joseph had to settle for a vacant barn with a manger. As Christmas day approaches, may you rejoice in God with Us, now in the form of the Holy Spirit.
There isn’t much that biblical and secular historians agree upon. However, each parties believe that the earth was originally one continent, Pangea, Genesis 1:9-12. Furthermore, Christian and secular scientists support Genesis 2:4-5, acknowledgment of a worldwide aquifer system beneath the earth’s surface. Finally, while the amount of water that fell across the globe during a flood greatly varies, both believe that a great rainstorm did occur at some point on earth.
And God looked upon the world and saw how degenerate, debased, and vicious it was, for all humanity had corrupted their way upon the earth and lost their true direction. 13 God said to Noah, I intend to make an end of all flesh, for through men the land is filled with violence; and behold, I will [a]destroy them and the land, Genesis 6:12-13.
God’s plan to alter Pangea, the earth’s lone land mass, is made known following His disappointment with the choice’s human beings made. Following any rainstorm, there is usually debris, erosion and some sort of damage done to the earth. After experiencing forty straight days of a heavy downpour, something had to be done to Pangea to allow this water to recede. According to Moses in the passage below, there was an eruption beneath the earth’s surface which set in motion tectonic plates.
In the year 600 of Noah’s life, in the seventeenth day of the second month, that same day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up and burst forth, and the windows and floodgates of the heavens were opened. 12 And it rained upon the earth forty days and forty nights, Genesis 7:11-12.
If this bursting forth was the eruption of the Super Volcano inside of Yellowstone National Park for the first time, this would have created a pyroclastic cloud of ash, dust and rocks which would have blocked the sun’s rays for weeks or months. Subsequently, Pangea experienced its first rainstorm followed by the earth’s first ice age. Since archeologists have recently discovered traces of palm trees in artic regions, as active tectonic plates divided Pangea into 7 continents slowly over time, this is a sign of God’s plan to alter Pangea to provide new areas on earth for the flood waters to recede. This is supported by the Open Canopy theory, Pangea’s first unique atmosphere which has now been replaced by the current one which now exists on earth.
Mariah Carey was at her peak in popularity while I was in college. Back in the late 1980’s, top secular singers were encouraged to release Christmas albums every December. While the lyrics of All I Want for Christmas is You refers to a significant other, the meaning of this song should be centered on wanting to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus, Romans 10:9-11. While Christmas is about bringing families together, Jesus should the star under your tree.
But as he was thinking this over, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary [as] your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of (from, out of) the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus [the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, which means Savior], for He will save His people from their sins [that is, prevent them from [a]failing and missing the true end and scope of life, which is God], Matthew 1:20-21.
One of the nicknames given to Mariah for her numerous Christmas songs is the Queen of Christmas. The term Christmas is derived from Latin which means the Mass of Christmas. Churches across the country will be filled this week, some for the very first time this year. Perhaps this is a sign of penance, a plea to ask God for forgiveness for their prodigal ways. Others will sit at home on Sunday but will be back for Easter to do this all over again. May services this Christmas inspire hearts to only want one thing for Christmas, Jesus.
When you read the four gospels in the New Testament of the Bible, the majority of the travel over land occurs while walking. These trips throughout the eastern Mediterranean region of the Middle East often occur in groups. Jesus sent the other seventy disciples in Luke 10 in pairs of two. Meanwhile, the twelve disciples walked together from place to place, observing and watching their spiritual leader. As Matthew, Mark, Luke and John reflect upon Jesus’ life on earth, He walked in habitual fellowship with God.
Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God after the birth of Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 So all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 And Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him [home with Him], Genesis 5:22-24.
After the first six generations of descendants of Adam were mediocre at best, a shining star is born to Jared and his wife not mentioned by Moses. While the first boy in the Bible called Enoch is Cain’s first son who he built a city in his honor, Moses does not reveal Jared’s inspiration for naming his first son Enoch. The key point to remember about this second Enoch of the Bible is that he habitually walked with God daily. Enoch made the Lord his best friend on earth, praying to Him without ceasing.
And in the morning, long before daylight, He got up and went out to a [u]deserted place, and there He prayed. 36 And Simon [Peter] and those who were with him followed Him [[v]pursuing Him eagerly and hunting Him out], 37 And they found Him and said to Him, Everybody is looking for You. 38 And He said to them, Let us be going on into the neighboring country towns, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out. 39 [So] He went throughout the whole of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons, Mark 1:35-39.
The best example of what habitually walking with God resembles comes from the passage above. John Mark recalls an account from one of the disciples who went searching for Jesus early one morning. As the twelve disciples became stressed out, Jesus was receiving instructions from the Holy Spirit on where to go and what to do, Galatians 5:25. Jesus modeled how to keep in step with the Holy Spirit by his spiritual discipline of an early morning walk and time of prayer. As 2023 approaches, may you be inspired to devote next year to habitually walking in fellowship with God.
Bing Crosby was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century. Bing was also a philanthropist who founded the professional golf hosted by Pebble Beach on the PGA Tour. This tournament began as a clam bake where Bing involved his friends to participate in a golf tournament with some of the best golfers in the world. Beginning in 1937 as the Bing Crosby Pro-Am, title this tournament has evolved into the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, Isaiah 55:9-10.
Yet, when you hear the rendition of White Christmas which is now 72 years old, Bing possessed a soothing voice that has touched countless souls. Geographically speaking, most Americans living in the south won’t have a white Christmas this year. Yet, as a child, it’s okay to dream and hope for snow. This is the storyline in the Christmas classic The Year Without a Santa Claus. In the end, the Heat Miser and Freeze Miser are forced by Mother Nature to allow snow on Christmas is a warm weather climate. While the odds may be against you, don’t be afraid to dream.
Artists, bands, groups and musicians are immortalized in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Titles from this hall include the King of Pop, Michael Jackson from the modern era and Elvis Presley in the infant years. Meanwhile, George Strait is referred to as the King of Country with Kitty Wells known as the Queen of Country. As for the King and Queen of Soul, Otis Ray Redding Jr. and Aretha Louise Franklin were pioneers of this genre of music.
Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have cattle and purchase possessions. 21 His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe, Genesis 4:20-21.
While the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame continues to add members annually, the Father of music on earth is Jubal who invented the lyre and pipe. However, Ezekiel 28:14 suggests that Lucifer was the angel of song so you could make that argument that Lucifer and not Jubal was the father of music. Whoever you want to distinguish this honor, music has become a part of every aspect of life with apps, computers, electronics, phones and televisions
Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [[e]and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord, 20 At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father, Ephesians 5:19-20.
According to the apostle Paul, music plays a vital role in your relationship with God and others. Music provides a venue to offer up praise to God as well as soothing our soul like King Saul when listening to David play his harp. The days I tend to be happiest are those filled with listening to and singing songs at work that I heard on my commute. Although you may be bored of Christmas music by now, may you be touched by the words of We Are the Reason by David Meece.
My parents moved to Cleveland, Ohio during my sophomore year of college. When I returned to my folk’s new home in December of 1989, I was shocked by the weather. I spent a little under 4 weeks in Cleveland and it snowed 21 of the 24 days that I was there. Living in the snow belt, southeast of Lake Erie, every Christmas there was like Walking in a Winter Wonderland. Before getting to the renown singers, I felt a tradition hymn would be a nice change
Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes! Cease to do evil, 17 Learn to do right! Seek justice, relieve the oppressed, and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless, plead for the widow. 18 Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool, Isaiah 1:16-18.
The passage above is one of my favorite verses on the topic of snow. The prophet Isaiah compares the covering of snow on the earth’s surface to being cleansed and made whole again. Every winter dirt, salt, leaves and debris are tracked into houses across the country. While I probably won’t have any white Christmases now that I live in South Carolina. I’m thankful that I can walk in freedom. This is all thanks to a forgiving God who washes the dirt of sin and purifies us with a fresh blanket of snow.
If you have ever lost something valuable in life, certain things seem to vanish. When I was a child, I asked my parents if I could hold the money for a local ice-cream shop at the beach. On the final night of our vacation, I was given the cash for everyone’s ice-cream. I remember grasping it tight, walking with my hands in my pocket. Yet, when I went to pull the money out of my pocket, it was gone. Despite desperately retracing my steps, the money vanished from sight, blown by the wind into the night.
And Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him [home with Him], Genesis 5:24.
One New Testament author speaks of Enoch, living seven generations from Adam, Jude 1:14. The author of Hebrews includes this same individual in the Hall of Faith, Hebrews 11:5-6. According to Moses, one day when Enoch was 365 days old, about 36.5 years old if you consider the Open Canopy Theory which slowed down the aging process from the sun, this man vanished from the face of the earth. There were no milk cartons back then, but if there were his picture would have been on the back of one.
And when they had gone over, Elijah said to Elisha, Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you. And Elisha said, I pray you, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me. 10 He said, You have asked a hard thing. However, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you—but if not, it shall not be so. 11 As they still went on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire parted the two of them, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it and he cried, My father, my father! The chariot of Israel and its horsemen! And he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces, 2 Kings 2:9-12.
Jeremiah is much more descriptive when a similar event occurs several hundreds of years later. After Elijah had finished grooming his apprentice Elisha, Jeremiah writes about an event out of a science fiction film. According to Jeremiah, a chariot of fire and horses appeared in the sky. This wasn’t Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, but a spiritual prophet escorted by the Lord into heaven. Enoch and Elijah are the only two individuals who simply vanished from earth, never to experience death. May these two accounts make you a believer in an Almighty God this Christmas season, Romans 10:9-11.
It’s hard to believe that Christmas is seven days away. The older I get, the quick time seems to fly by. Rather to write about the 12 days of Christmas with a corresponding song, the final week of Advent will have to do. The artists selected for this week were a joint venture between my wife Leanne and I. I wanted to pay homage to famous singers who became icons in American culture. Holly Starr’s rise to acclaim began on My Space and has led to multiple top 25 songs.
For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord! 12 And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find [[c]after searching] a Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, Luke 2:11-12.
Holly’s version of The First Noel sets the tone for the reason of this season. Noel comes from Latin which means birthday. While the birth of any child is a special occasion, Mary gave birth to the future Savior of the world, John 3:16-17. From a historical perspective, Jesus was born between 4 and 5 BC. When you consider the baby boys under two were slaughtered by Herod the Great’s edict. Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt to seek refuge until his death in 4 BC. This First Noel’s life was saved by God.
The first mention of generational sins in the Bible is found in Exodus 20:5. As God unveils the Ten Commandments to the Nation of Israel, Moses is urged to inform individuals of the sins of the father. This includes any addiction, bad habits, careless choices, unwholesome desires or any act of disobedience that is in direct conflict with God’s commands, decrees and precepts. Following Moses’ disclaimer about generational sins, the ten commandments are centered around loving God and loving your neighbor.
And Cain said to his brother, [b]Let us go out to the field. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. 9 And the Lord said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And he said, I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper? 10 And [the Lord] said, What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground. 11 And now you are cursed by reason of the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s [shed] blood from your hand. 12 When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength; you shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth [in perpetual exile, a degraded outcast], Genesis 4:8-12.
After the act of original sin, a joint venture by Adam and Eve, who was right there with her while taking a bite from the forbidden Tree of Knowledge in Genesis 3:6, the second sin in the Bible is mentioned in the passage above. Just as Eve made a decision to break God’s only boundary in the Garden of Eden, Cain made up his mind to eliminate his competition and the source of his envy/jealousy. Cain’s act of murder was passed down to his children and grandchildren, up to four generations.
Lamech said to his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say; for I have slain a man [merely] for wounding me, and a young man [only] for striking and bruising me. 24 If Cain is avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech [will be avenged] seventy-sevenfold, Genesis 4:23-24.
Although I’ve read the book of Genesis on numerous occasions, I failed to see the confession made by Lamech to his two wives. Following some sort of altercation and dispute, Lamech admits to killing a young man who physically assaulted him. Lamech reflects upon what God said about Cain and his earthly punishment. When I heard Lamech’s confession, this is clearly a sign from God to break any generational sins in your family before it’s too late. Follow the apostle Paul’s advice in Galatians 5:16-25 to break this sinful pattern so you don;t follow in your father’s wayward footsteps.
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