Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

By Cheri Cowell –

At the end of the popular TV special, A Charlie Brown Christmas, which has aired during every Christmas season since 1965, the Peanuts characters all sing “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”

Prolific hymn writer Charles Wesley, who helped his brother John begin the Methodist Church, wrote the original words to “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” in 1739. The first two lines were: “Hark, how the welkin [an old English word for heaven] rings/Glory to the king of kings.” But in 1753, Wesley’s friend and co-worker George Whitfield changed those lines to the ones we know today: “Hark! The herald angels sing/glory to the newborn king.”

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” tells the story of the event recorded in the Book of Luke—that after Jesus Christ was born an angel appeared in the sky to announce Christ’s birth and shortly thereafter were joined by a huge chorus of angels singing out praises.

PRAYER: Lord, give me the courage this Christmas season to sing aloud Your praises, to join the triumph of the skies and sing glory to the newborn King in both words and deeds.

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:13-14 NIV).

Songs in the Night

By Gillis Killam –

Recently I read of two people who lost loved ones in two separate plane crashes. They were sharing their grief experiences with each other; how they had sleepless nights, wondering why this happened. I can’t really comprehend their grief because this has never happened to me; but they identified with each other’s grief and were able to bring comfort one to the other.

I do know what sleepless nights are, but for different reasons. Psalm 77 says that David knew about this, too, and wrote of it in the inspired Word which encourages us. He complained to the Lord in this Psalm, stretching out his untiring hands, groaning, with his soul, refusing to be comforted. His spirit grew faint and he was too troubled to speak. His questions are like ours, “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show His favor again?” It seemed His love had vanished forever.

David reflected on the days gone by, and the songs he had in the night that declared the mighty power of God. He mused about the miracles of the past and how Moses and Miriam sang of deliverance from Egypt. He also pondered how through the forces of nature God worked His miracles, parting the sea, the rains pouring down on the earth, the whirlwind, and the lightning. Then he said, “You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron” (Psalm 77:20 NIV). The gentleness of the shepherd is seen in this statement; that he understood what he was experiencing and truly cared for him.

Charles H. Spurgeon said in one of his sermons that people are often looking here and there in their distress, “But none saith where is God my Maker, who giveth songs in the night?” (Job 35:10 KJV). Spurgeon said, we shall, however, leave that inquiry, and dwell upon those sweet words, “God my Maker, who giveth songs in the night.”

Situations often seem worse in the darkness of night, but God is the one who gives us peace in the midst of unspeakable tragedy. Also, in these dark hours He desires to speak to us deeply, and put a song of praise in our hearts.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge” (Psalm 19:1-2 NIV).

The Olive Wood Manger

By Judy Davis –

My first children’s book, The Olive Wood Manger, was published last year. God is so good as He gives us ideas, concepts and insight. Each book I write has plenty of Scriptures for I know His Word will not come back void. “My word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11 NIV).

When our younger grandchildren visit us during the holiday season we always have a joyful time of celebration. I’ll never forget the Christmas our grandson started to open a gift when he saw my little “Olive Wood” manger scene I had purchased in Bethlehem.

He slowly picked up Baby Jesus, then the manger, a donkey, and a camel, holding them in his tiny hand. He laid down his new gifts that were still wrapped and started playing with “Baby Jesus.”

It was not long when he ran to me and said, “Nana, where is Baby Jesus, I can’t find baby Jesus.” We both got down on our hands and knees looking for him under the rug, the sofa, the table. Finally he saw the little replica of Baby Jesus. “I found him, I found him,” squeaked Connor. It was at that moment I thought of the verse, “Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14 NIV).

As we prepare our homes for this joyful holiday let us also prepare our hearts. Make room for Christ in Christmas. When the holidays seem hectic with all the preparation of cleaning house, shopping, gift-wrapping, decorating, baking, and addressing Christmas cards, take time to plan. Start early making a list of things to do. Then you are ready to celebrate the greatest time of the year.

When all the bad news broadcasting around us makes the holidays seem too tense, take time to rejoice! Christmas begins in the manger as the story of the birth of Christ unfolds.

PRAYER: Father, thank you for Jesus Christ the Son of God who lived and died so we may live according to your plan and purpose.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:8, 11-12 NIV).

Meeting A Need

By Anne Johnson –

My children reclined on my neighbor’s couch. After a thorough search through all the channels they finally agreed to watch Looney Tunes. My neighbor, Dee, and I took up our normal stations in the recliners.

“I suffer from A.D.D,” Dee offered.

“Oh?” I asked.

“Yes, I was really embarrassed last night and made my daughter take me home early from supper.”

“Oh, really? But why?”

“‘Cause of A.D.D,” she giggled, “you know, after dinner diarrhea.”

Our laughter startled the children. “What? What?” they shouted over our uproarious cacophony.

For over four years, I have been privileged to fellowship with Dee. Our relationship began formally with a simple, “Hi” or “Hello,” over the backyard fence. For over six years we lived side by side without really knowing each other.

One sunny afternoon, my children and I were in the backyard when we spied Dee sitting on her porch swing. Her normal cheerful disposition seemed masked by weariness and fatigue. She attempted a smile, but it appeared to drain the last bit of energy she possessed. She explained that her husband had suffered a stroke, and she was forced to retire to care for him.

Jesus preached to the people of His time that by meeting the needs of others we are caring also for Him. By giving food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, welcoming a stranger or visiting the sick, we live out Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:35-36. So I asked Dee if the kids and I could bring over a meal and join her for lunch the next day.

The following afternoon, I warned the kids to be on their best behavior as we stood on the stoop of her house. From the moment she invited us in, we were blessed by Dee’s friendliness. Her warmth and kindness filled her home like the scent of fresh-baked bread.

The following week, my children asked when we were going over to our neighbor’s house and talk again. I didn’t want to seem pushy, but they persisted. What started as a gesture to visit the sick and welcome a stranger, turned into a weekly event. Our neighbor was adopted by my children and became “Grandma Dee.”

After her husband’s death, we continued to get together and “chin wag” as we fondly call it. While the children lounge on Grandma’s sofa, we share our hearts with each other. Nothing is off-limits. Our friendship is refreshing and rewarding. Grandma Dee is a true kindred spirit. Though there is quite a few years difference between us, we discovered we share a fondness for quirky songs, and when one of us begins singing a random song, the other pipes up too.

While Grandma shared her story with the kids about her A.D.D.(no details mentioned), I realized how important our “chin wag” dates had become to me. For over four years, we have shared our lives together and laughed our way through tragedies and successes. Through meeting the need of my neighbor I have been eternally blessed.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Matthew 25:35-36 NIV).

History’s Great Gift-Givers

By Hally Franz –

By my latest count, there are 10 consignment or second-hand stores in my town of 10,000 citizens. That’s one used-goods establishment for every 1,000 people. Does that seem like a lot to anyone else?

Let it be known that I am completely supportive of endeavors to reuse, recycle, re-purpose, and even re-engineer objects in order to give them added life. However, I still find myself coming to one conclusion—we all have just too much stuff. Brain science, right?

Perhaps we should keep that in mind as we do this year’s Christmas shopping for friends and family. Before we populate our homes with a fresh set of electronics, clothes, tools, gadgets and toys (only to do a big household purge in January), maybe we should also consider two of the most famous and generous gifts ever given by man.

At two critical points in the life of Jesus, he was the recipient of wonderfully heart-felt expressions of love. Soon after his birth, esteemed wise men came to see him, and, as we know, they brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The Magi traveled to view this prophesied Messiah, pay their respects, and honor him with gifts worthy of a king.

Then, near the end Jesus’s life, Mary, sister of Lazarus, demonstrated her deep love for Jesus by washing his feet with perfume and drying them with her hair. While some were offended by her gift, Jesus recognized this gift as far more than a gesture.

In these examples, the “gifts” did include tangible items that were given. In fact, Mary’s perfume was extremely expensive, as were the incense, spice and precious metal brought by the wise men. But, it seems to me the greater gift was in the lengthy journey of the wise men and the humble service of Mary. It was their magnificent expressions of devotion that most clearly demonstrated the love each had for Jesus, not the sharing and giving of the material items.

As I review this year’s gift-giving list, I think I’ll look for occasions when a visit, time spent, or a service provided might mean much more to someone than just another package under the tree.

PRAYER: Most righteous heavenly Father, as I select gifts this year for my loved ones and friends, help me to remember the spirit of giving demonstrated by Your servant, Mary. Help me to have a heart for giving like hers.

“Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” (John 12:3 NIV).

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