The term melody if a sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying. However, as spontaneous worship montages have grown in popularity throughout churches across the country, it’s not uncommon for musicians to blend the end of one song with the start of another. This is what the Red Rock Worship team has accomplished in their featured selection: A Christmas Medley. A medley is themost common form of overture for musical theatre productions.
And listen! You will become pregnant and will give birth to a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great (eminent) and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His forefather David, Luke 1:31-32.
When I was younger, my musical tastes were secular in nature, always standing up for my favorite bands of the 1980’s like Boston, the Cars, the Police and U2. However, my college roommate Mike opened my mind to worship music. While most students at Delaware were out partying, Mike and I sat out in lawn chairs in our front yard Friday night listening to Christian music and talking. May listening to A Christmas Medley get your soul ready to worship Emmanuel, God with Us.
“Hark! The Herald AngelsSing” first appeared in 1739 as part of acollection of Hymns and Sacred Poems. This compilation features lyrical contributions from Charles Wesley and George Whitefield. Charles Wesley wrote “Hark! The Herald AngelsSing” and later went on to found the Methodist Church. Meanwhile, Whitefield became a famous evangelist speaking at Big Tent Revivals on the east coast.
For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from the [latter] time forth, even forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this, Isaiah 9:6-7.
Sometime after reading Luke 2:14 which tells of an angelic chorus singing praises to God, Wesley was inspired to begin writing this Christmas carol. Later on music to “Hark! The Herald AngelsSing” was adapted from “Vaterland, in deinen Gauen” by Felix Mendelssohn. Going back to the story in the Bible, the birth of Jesus suddenly brought a great company of heavenly hosts to appear before shepherds.
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone all about them, and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people. 11 For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord! – Luke 2:9-11
The anticipation of the Bible’s first prophecy in Genesis 3:15 was within moments of being fulfilled. Jesus was about to become a second Adam to restore what was lost in the Garden of Eden, Luke 19:10. Just as children are anxious to pour out the contents inside of their stockings and rip open their presents, the realization of God with us, Emmanuel, inspired the angels to sing.
Depending upon when you were born in a calendar year, your birthday is either overshadowed by Christmas, spread out throughout the year or occurs in the summer when most of your friends are on vacation. I fall into the latter category, often struggling to a find a few friends who are home in August. Yet, most of the women in my family are forced to mix their birthday with Christmas. My mother and wife were born one day a part in the middle of this month while my sister Cindy and Leanne’s mom were born on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, these days are mere appetizers that lead up to the birth of Christ.
[My purpose is] that you may know the full truth and understand with certainty and security against error the accounts (histories) and doctrines of the faith of which you have been informed and in which you have been orally instructed, Luke 1:4.
In the wake of the Coronavirus, a once in a century event, some of you wish that you were born during a different month or period in history. During a late night conversation with a Pharisee named Nicodemus, Jesus refers the spiritual process of being “born again.” At the time of their discussion, this theological term wasn’t known causing Nicodemus to become sarcastic. “Do you really expect our mother’s to open up their legs to be forced back in their womb again?” The wry smile on Nicodemus face vanished quickly. According to John, this religious leader stops talking, intrigued by the thought of being spiritually reborn.
For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([d]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him, John 3:16-17.
As neighbors decorate the interior and exterior of their homes for this celebration, don’t be caught off guard by silly Nick. Rather, prepare your hearts for the true meaning of this holiday season. The passage above highlights what some Christmas Carols declare, “Joy to the World as Immanuel has come to earth to save this fallen world from sin. This gift wasn’t without a sacrifice as God offered up his one and only son to become the perfect Lamb of God. Perhaps, this Christmas as people gather together at a church, in a home or view an online service, the only birth that matters is the decision to become born again, Romans 10:9-11.
If you work for a large company, you will come across various characters, personalities and temperaments. Meanwhile, if you are a regular visitor of social media sites, you can usually decipher those seeking attention from people who simply enjoy connecting with friends. While there are numerous methods entrepreneurs can cash in on today, it’s okay to live a quiet life beyond the spot life. Such is the case of one first century man.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by [the power of] the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her [promised] husband, being a just and righteous man and not wanting to expose her publicly to shame, planned to send her away and divorce her quietly, Matthew 1:18-19.
As a former junior high teacher, teenagers can be cruel. Teens going through puberty can be down right nasty. Imagine if your girl friend shows up to school pregnant and you didn’t have sex with her. These were the thoughts racing through Joseph’s mind when his fiancée returns home from his aunt’s house several months pregnant. Betrayed, confused and distraught, Joseph was on his way to break off his engagement quietly to avoid a messy divorce. When an angel intervened, this forgotten man of Christmas had to wait until Jesus was born to consecrate his marriage.
Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year for the Passover Feast. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the Feast; 43 and as they were returning [to Nazareth], after spending the required number of days [at the Feast], the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. Now His parents did not know this, 44 but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and traveled a day’s journey; and [then] they began searching [anxiously] for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 When they did not find Him, they went back to Jerusalem looking for Him [everywhere], Luke 2:41-45.
Joseph is one of those characters who quickly fades from the forefront, written out of a drama, movie or show after completing his mission. There is only one mention of Joseph in the Bible following the events of Christmas, Jesus’ bar mitzvah, the event to celebrate a Jewish boy becoming a man. This symbolic act enabled Jesus to become a man in God’s house. Joseph likely died of natural causes, assumed to be dead and long gone, out of the picture, by the four gospel authors. Then again, Joseph could have completed God’s will for his life following Jesus’ bar mitzvah. Either way, Joseph is the forgotten man of Christmas, taking a back seat to Emmanuel, God with us in the form of baby Jesus..
According to the book of Genesis, the first family on earth felt compelled to make offerings to the Lord. It’s unclear if God first communicated the concept of a tithe to Adam while living in the Garden of Eden or later on in life. Nonetheless, sons of Adam, Cain and Abel began to practice what is referred to as first fruits. As a farmer, Cain brought forth crops during the harvest. Meanwhile, little brother Abel was a shepherd, not withholding any expense, presenting the Lord with some of his finest sheep. These offerings often reveal who trusts God completely from those whom are still trying to control the steering wheel.
In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord, Genesis 4:3.
Like buying Christmas gifts, some individuals have the means to purchase anything they want. Meanwhile, the majority have to set spending limits to avoid going into debt. This limitation can create animosity between family members or friends over the holidays. If you expect a certain amount of gifts in your mind, any type of high expectations can lead to disappointment. From God’s perspective, He is the Creator of life, a spiritual father to all. Unfortunately, human nature breeds selfishness, causing many to forget about God the Father, like the wayward child in the parable of the prodigal son.
And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, Genesis 4:4.
The prophet Isaiah uses the term Emmanuel to refer to the coming Messiah, Jesus. When translated into English, Emmanuel means God with us. Perhaps, this inspired three Magi to each bring gifts from their lands. One brought gold, another frankincense and the last myrrh. If there is a lesson people can learn from these three wise men it’s that tithes and lives go together. Giving tithes and transforming lives go hand in hand. As Christmas Day approaches, may the Holy Spirit inspire you to give back to God through tithes and a rededicated life to Jesus.
As Christmas Day draws near yet again, it appears the Grinch Who Stole Christmas isn’t just a Dr. Suess classic. Rather, a lack of thanksgiving is turning hearts once full of joy into Ebenezer Scrooge. While 24 hours of Christmas music attempts to put people into the Christmas spirit, demons whispering Bah Humbug are drowning out carolers in the streets.
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:17-18.
I’m not sure the initial reason, but a song writer felt called to create a piece entitled the Twelve Days of Christmas. Perhaps, modern times need a composition to prepare souls to celebrate the birth of Emmanuel, God with us. If Thanksgiving Day is used properly, this celebration could kick start the 12 Days of Thanksgiving, enabling a spirit of thanks to be transformed into an attitude of gratitude.
Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 5:19-20.
The apostle Paul provides a blue print for this evolution in a letter to the church at Ephesus. The ungrateful tend to drown their sorrows in alcohol. Meanwhile, the expense of gift giving can steal your joy for this special season. To avoid this common fate, turn bitterness into praise by humming Christmas classics. As this is practiced daily, perspectives slowly change from self-gratification toward a heart of service. If you want to change for the better, start keeping a journal of reasons to be thankful. When healthy practices become a habit, an attitude of gratitude will be established.
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