On Saturday our presentation of the Living Nativity began in a haste. The milieu of the presentation was the majestic center court of the Oakdale mall. The center court is decorated brilliantly and studded with stunning Christmas trees along with a very winsome Creche. The Christ of Christmas blesses our meager efforts in serving Him. Our dear friend Yancey Moore played the Grand piano and the choir sang the ageless Christmas carols. The children, the youth, and some adults presented the Living Nativity. At 6:30 many talented and gifted musicians gathered in front of the Creche and the living nativity... some were scattered in the courtyard... to sing with great gusto and deep abandon the glorious, breath-taking Hallelujah Chorus. The Lord, the Messiah, visited us. He anointed the singing. We were all so blessed. The center court of the mall began to rock. It was beyond imagining. One of the local TV stations and the local press covered the event. We were so blessed, so filled, and so humbled. Praise the Lord for every one who participated with joyful and jubilant hearts and voices. Praise the Lord for each and every one. A big thank you to you all.
Sunita flew back after being away in London for a week. She was thrilled to attend the a concert of Christmas carols at the Royal Albert Hall in London. We here all love Christmas music to the hilt. We do not get enough if it. Sunita, and Andy, and Gabe came home yesterday.
The Lord blessed ysterday, the Fourth Sunday in Advent with a summer like day. A week ago it was snowy and wintry... Yesterday it was as warm and gentle as a spring day. Praise the Lord for the peace that came down at the first Christmas , because the Prince of Peace came down.
Albert Camus has called
ours "an age of overt anxiety." Worry has been termed the "official emotion of
our generation," "the basis of all neuroses," and "the most pervasive
psychological problem of our time." Mark Twain once said "From his cradle to
his grave a man never does a single thing which has any first and foremost
object save one -- to secure peace of mind for himself."
It is in such a world
that Christians this time of year talk, sing, dream, and preach about "Peace on
Earth." In an age of anxiety, how is it that we can come together today and
celebrate? It all has to do with a child being born in a stable on a still and
silent night. Angels proclaimed Peace on Earth because the Prince of Peace had
come. Long ago the prophet Micah prophesied of His coming, declaring that this
child of Bethlehem would be our peace. It is written that the Child of Christmas Brings Peace with God
(Ephesians
2:11-14)
We celebrate the birth of
Jesus, first and foremost, because He has brought us peace with
God. He Himself is our
peace, who has made the two (that's Jew and non-Jew) one and has destroyed the
barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the Law with
its commandments and regulations His purpose was to create in Himself one new
man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of
them to God through the cross, by which He put to death the hostility. He came
and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were
near. Through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with
God's people and members of God's household.
Billy Graham tells the
story of a little bird. The sea was beating against the rocks in huge dashing
waves, the lightning was flashing, the thunder was rolling, the wind was
blowing; but the little bird was asleep in the crevice of the rock, its head
serenely under its wing -- it was sound asleep. That is peace -- to be able to
sleep in the storm! In
Christ, we are at peace in the midst of the confusions, bewilderments, and
perplexities of this life. The storm rages, but our hearts are at rest. When
Christ comes in, He stands against the winds and the storms and cries out,
"Peace, be still!" If Christ is here in our hearts, then we can be at peace.
We find peace when we find Him. He is our peace!
Augustine said, "Thou
hast touched me and I have been translated into Thy peace." Ephesians
2:13-14 reminds us: "But
now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near, through
the blood of Christ -- for He Himself is our peace."
In Christ,
Brown
If you are in the Endicott area please join us for one of our
Christmas Eve services. All are welcome!
4:30 PM Christmas Candlelight Service. Wesley United Methodist Church, 1000 Day Hollow Road, Endicott, NY 13760
7:30 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service. Union Center United Methodist church, 128 Maple Drive Endicott, NY 13760
Joy to the world! The Lord is come!
4:30 PM Christmas Candlelight Service. Wesley United Methodist Church, 1000 Day Hollow Road, Endicott, NY 13760
7:30 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service. Union Center United Methodist church, 128 Maple Drive Endicott, NY 13760
Joy to the world! The Lord is come!
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