Good morning,
Happy Wednesday of Christmas week. Praise the Lord for the songs of the season of Advent and Christmas. My wife and all of my daughters love the songs of Christmas. They sing the songs of Christmas and they have sung them since they were very little. I love to sing and hear all the songs of Savior's birth.
Our Church Choir presented a very beautiful and sweet Christmas Cantata last Sunday. For many it doesn’t seem like the Christmas season until we start to hear Christmas songs, and as Christians we listen for the sweet and familiar carols. The truth is that songs have been a part of the celebration of the birth of the Savior for a VERY long time. In fact, the central characters in the Christmas story almost instantly responded to the events surrounding the birth of Jesus with songs. The great Bible teacher, G. Campbell Morgan, writes, “Luke, the artist, has gathered and collected, under the guidance of the Holy Ghost, the stories which reveal the fact that when Jesus came into the world poetry expressed itself and music was reborn.”
As we sing the old and new Christmas songs we can gain a sense of joining hands and lifting our voices with people who have sung them down through the centuries. We become one mighty chorus resounding through the halls of Heaven. In my mind the story of Christmas is all about how God cared for Mary. Mary, just a teenager at the time, was surely overwhelmed with the responsibility that was given to her. Even if she accepted and understood that which the Angel had told her about the birth of Jesus, she needed human support. God directed her to the community of faith, to godly Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah. Here she found people with a mutual faith, mutual hope, and even a mutual experience. God took care of Mary. It seems obvious that God also directs us to community of people with a mutual belief – a church. Mary’s faith very likely would have faltered without the encouragement and support of Elizabeth and Zechariah. Like Mary, we need to make a priority of placing ourselves in a community of those who believe God’s word.
The greatest way to begin the Christmas season is by submission to the person of Christ. Elizabeth recognized herself as a sinner who needed a savior; that Jesus was that Savior and so she submitted herself to Him. Have you submitted yourself to Him?
Yesterday, I decided to send out some Christmas cards. As I was looking through boxes of cards, I came across an old card in a stained envelope. Inside there was cash in the amount of $115. Somehow we had failed to open the gift. Often in our lives we fail to open the gifts that the Lord bestows, and so we miss out on the tremendous blessings He has given to us. This season, let us not miss the gift of Christmas.
Just a note: this evening there will be no soup supper, Bible study, and Adult Choir at the church. Instead, we can spend some time letting the Christ of Christmas be real in our lives. Read a Christmas story, listen to Christmas music, relax, and enjoy.
Praise the Lord,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76RrdwElnTU
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Brown's Daily Word 12-20-10
Praise the for this last full week of 2010. Praise the Lord for the way He makes all things beautiful. I woke up early this morning and looked through the window; it looked crispy and clear and I said "thank you Jesus for this new day, indeed a gift from You". He blessed us with a Soul Full Weekend.
Friday was our Living Nativity. The organizers of the event got suddenly sick, but the Lord provided new leaders crew for it. So many children and parents and the adults came to see the display of the Living Nativity. The scene,nestled beneath the rise of Boswell Hill, appeared to be like the Hills of Judea and the hills of Bethlehem where shepherds kept their watch over their flock by night. The women's singing group, the Four of Hearts, sang live Christmas Carols. The sheep, the goats, and the cows were pleased to welcome the newborn King.
Some of our family and friends attended the annual presentation of the Messiah by the Downtown Singers. It has been a Christmas tradition that yearly the Downtown Singers have presented the glorious performance of the Messiah. Praise the Lord we have so much to celebrate and sing about Jesus Who is the Alpha and Omega. He is Reason for all the seasons. He is the epicenter of all Joy, celebration, and worship.
It was great blessing to prepare a special meal for the poor and needy around us on Saturday at First UMC. Part of the former crew of Russell's Steak House, headed by Sam Echorst, prepared and served a delicious meal. Many came for the time of special fellowship and love. I was able to attend this event. Some new friends came to serve the meal and care for cleaning afterwards. They said that it was a great blessing.
Saturday Evening was the youth event. Youths and adults gathered a special Concert by our friend Jared Campbell. Jared is an anointed singer and artist. He is a gifted proclaimer of the Good News of Jesus. Praise the Lord for all those who came and participated, along with for those who organized the event.
Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, was a very Special day. The church was decorated with so many poinsettias. It looked like a poinsettia garden. The Choir presented our annual Christmas Cantata. The Music was anointed and the readings were powerful. After the Second service all the children were blessed with special Christmas gifts. There was a special dinner reception for all the children, the families, and the choir members. The food was delicious, the fellowship was sweet. Jesus, the Lord of Christmas, joined the banquet as the Host. He smiled at each adult and each child, and He said all is well. I was able, by God's grace, to preach at the 8:30, 9:30, and 11:00 worship services. It was a great thrill to be in His house with His people worshipping the New Born King. I preached from Isaiah 35:3 ff "Strengthen ye the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees, say to them that of fearful heart, be strong fear not, behold your God will come..."
It is always a great blessing to claim verse 10 from Isaiah 35, "And the ransomed of the Lord shall return come to Zion with songs and with everlasting joy upon their heads, and they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away"..
Soren Kierkegaard, the great Danish theologian of another century, told the story of a prince who was running an errand for his father one day in the local village. As he did so, he passed through a very poor section of the town. Looking through the window of his carriage, he saw a beautiful young peasant girl walking along the street. He could not get her off his heart. He continued to come to the town, day after day, just to see her and to feel as though he was near her. His heart yearned for her, but there was a problem. How could he develop a relationship with her? He could order her to marry him. It was in his power to do so. But he wanted this girl to love him from the heart, willingly. He could put on his royal garments and impress her with his regal entourage, and drive up to her front door with soldiers and a carriage drawn by six horses. But if he did this he would never be certain that the girl loved him or was simply overwhelmed with his power, position and wealth.
The prince came up with another solution. As you may have guessed, he gave up his kingly robe and symbols of power and privilege. He moved into the village dressed only as a peasant. He lived among the people, shared their interests and concerns, and talked their language. In time, the young peasant girl grew to know him, and then to love him.
This is what Jesus has done for us. The Word became flesh. The King of heaven put aside his heavenly robes and divine prerogatives. He came to us as one of us. He lived among us, ate with us, drank with us, felt with us — all to win our love. He could have forced us. He could have overwhelmed us, but he chose to romance us. He stands here today with the smile of love and arms extended. He is the God who became real so that we could experience his transforming love. Jesus is not just a truth to believe in, he is a person to be experienced.
As we get ready for this week we are planning for two Christmas eve services. One being at 4:30 pm at the First Methodist Church on McKinley Ave in Endicott. The 7:30 pm one being at the Union Center Methodist church. 28 Maple Drive in Endicott. We would love to have you join is for these services with friends and family. The choir from the Cornerstone Christian church will be singing at the 4:30 service. And there will be other musicians that will be bringing special music for these worship services. "Oh come let us adore him the newborn king"
In Christ
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWrMDd-_sp8
Friday was our Living Nativity. The organizers of the event got suddenly sick, but the Lord provided new leaders crew for it. So many children and parents and the adults came to see the display of the Living Nativity. The scene,nestled beneath the rise of Boswell Hill, appeared to be like the Hills of Judea and the hills of Bethlehem where shepherds kept their watch over their flock by night. The women's singing group, the Four of Hearts, sang live Christmas Carols. The sheep, the goats, and the cows were pleased to welcome the newborn King.
Some of our family and friends attended the annual presentation of the Messiah by the Downtown Singers. It has been a Christmas tradition that yearly the Downtown Singers have presented the glorious performance of the Messiah. Praise the Lord we have so much to celebrate and sing about Jesus Who is the Alpha and Omega. He is Reason for all the seasons. He is the epicenter of all Joy, celebration, and worship.
It was great blessing to prepare a special meal for the poor and needy around us on Saturday at First UMC. Part of the former crew of Russell's Steak House, headed by Sam Echorst, prepared and served a delicious meal. Many came for the time of special fellowship and love. I was able to attend this event. Some new friends came to serve the meal and care for cleaning afterwards. They said that it was a great blessing.
Saturday Evening was the youth event. Youths and adults gathered a special Concert by our friend Jared Campbell. Jared is an anointed singer and artist. He is a gifted proclaimer of the Good News of Jesus. Praise the Lord for all those who came and participated, along with for those who organized the event.
Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, was a very Special day. The church was decorated with so many poinsettias. It looked like a poinsettia garden. The Choir presented our annual Christmas Cantata. The Music was anointed and the readings were powerful. After the Second service all the children were blessed with special Christmas gifts. There was a special dinner reception for all the children, the families, and the choir members. The food was delicious, the fellowship was sweet. Jesus, the Lord of Christmas, joined the banquet as the Host. He smiled at each adult and each child, and He said all is well. I was able, by God's grace, to preach at the 8:30, 9:30, and 11:00 worship services. It was a great thrill to be in His house with His people worshipping the New Born King. I preached from Isaiah 35:3 ff "Strengthen ye the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees, say to them that of fearful heart, be strong fear not, behold your God will come..."
It is always a great blessing to claim verse 10 from Isaiah 35, "And the ransomed of the Lord shall return come to Zion with songs and with everlasting joy upon their heads, and they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away"..
Soren Kierkegaard, the great Danish theologian of another century, told the story of a prince who was running an errand for his father one day in the local village. As he did so, he passed through a very poor section of the town. Looking through the window of his carriage, he saw a beautiful young peasant girl walking along the street. He could not get her off his heart. He continued to come to the town, day after day, just to see her and to feel as though he was near her. His heart yearned for her, but there was a problem. How could he develop a relationship with her? He could order her to marry him. It was in his power to do so. But he wanted this girl to love him from the heart, willingly. He could put on his royal garments and impress her with his regal entourage, and drive up to her front door with soldiers and a carriage drawn by six horses. But if he did this he would never be certain that the girl loved him or was simply overwhelmed with his power, position and wealth.
The prince came up with another solution. As you may have guessed, he gave up his kingly robe and symbols of power and privilege. He moved into the village dressed only as a peasant. He lived among the people, shared their interests and concerns, and talked their language. In time, the young peasant girl grew to know him, and then to love him.
This is what Jesus has done for us. The Word became flesh. The King of heaven put aside his heavenly robes and divine prerogatives. He came to us as one of us. He lived among us, ate with us, drank with us, felt with us — all to win our love. He could have forced us. He could have overwhelmed us, but he chose to romance us. He stands here today with the smile of love and arms extended. He is the God who became real so that we could experience his transforming love. Jesus is not just a truth to believe in, he is a person to be experienced.
As we get ready for this week we are planning for two Christmas eve services. One being at 4:30 pm at the First Methodist Church on McKinley Ave in Endicott. The 7:30 pm one being at the Union Center Methodist church. 28 Maple Drive in Endicott. We would love to have you join is for these services with friends and family. The choir from the Cornerstone Christian church will be singing at the 4:30 service. And there will be other musicians that will be bringing special music for these worship services. "Oh come let us adore him the newborn king"
In Christ
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWrMDd-_sp8
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