The 12th Song of Christmas

Servant Song

Lord, make me a servant, Lord, make me like You;
For You are a servant, make me one, too.
Lord, make me a servant, do what You must do
To make me a servant, make me like You.
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Not your traditional Christmas song; in fact, some may not call it a Christmas song at all. But I challenge you to read the words of the song again…go ahead, I can wait…there, do you see it now? “Servant”! That is what Jesus was. That is why Jesus came. That is what we are called to do! After all, isn’t that what Christmas is all about? During this season, the world celebrates the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, the Son of God. We read the accounts of Matthew and Luke and we marvel at the power of the miracles, the blind obedience of Mary and Joseph, the awe and excitement of the shepherds, the perseverance of the Magi, and the uniqueness of God’s plan. We shake our heads and analyze the fact that the King of Kings was born in a stable, not a palace, that His birth was announced to lowly shepherds, not rulers and ambassadors, and that he grew up a simple carpenter.

But the true meaning of Christmas can also be found in the pages of Philippians.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

There it is again – the complete Christmas story! Jesus left His heavenly glory and made Himself nothing, born as a human - as a servant - only to live His life in obedience so that He could be scorned and crucified along with common thieves. He loved us so much that He gave up His very life so that we might live, free of condemnation, forever in the presence of the God.

If He did all this for us, the words of the Servant Song should be tattooed upon our hearts. You see, Christmas is not about the presents, the carols, the trees or the lights. It is not really about the Christ child, but about Christ the servant. It is not about what we get, but what we give – ourselves. Each day we should yield ourselves to the Lord to be molded and shaped into the image of our servant savior, Jesus.

Merry Christmas!

The 11th Song of Christmas

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him…” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. Matthew 2:1,2,9-11

Magi – commonly referred to as “wise men”. What made them so wise, so special, that Matthew would devote 12 verses to them? They were not Jews, not of the chosen race, yet they left their homes and traveled for about 2 years just to see the King of the Jews. So what made them so wise? Was it their knowledge or intelligence? Their experience or status?

Well, I’m glad you asked. These men had undoubtedly heard of the great Messiah from one or more of the Jews during their time in captivity. Perhaps the story had been handed down and told for many generations. So for many years, these men were watching, vigilant, for the sign of the Christ child. When it appeared, they recognized it and immediately made preparations to honor Him. They quickly gathered gifts fit for a King and began their long journey. When they found Him, they bowed down and worshipped Him!

So what made them so wise? They believed that God would keep His promise. They were attentive to the sign that God was at work. They searched diligently and dedicated their lives to finding the Savior. And when they found Him, they worshipped Him. That’s right, these gentiles, possibly rulers of foreign lands, acknowledged the incomparable sovereignty of the one and only all mighty God, in human flesh. Now how about you?

Wise men still seek Him and bow down before the great I AM in worship!


We Three Kings of Orient Are
by John Henry Hopkins Jr., 1857

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to rein

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Pray'r and praising, all men raising
Worship Him, God most high

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Earth to heav'n replies

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

The 10th Song of Christmas

One Quiet Moment
Written by Bob Kauflin

One quiet moment, on a star–clustered night,
Two weary travelers knew an end was in sight;
So the soon to be mother, grasped her husband’s strong hand,
And paused to remember where the journey began.
Nine months of yearning filled with joy and with pain;
He almost had left her, but then chose to remain
Close by the woman he had not even kissed,
Who would bear him a son that would never be his.

And in one quiet moment, a woman and man
Accepted the part they would have in God’s plan;
To give up His glory, and be born as a man.
In one quiet moment. . .

They dreamed of the days they would spend with their son,
Taking walks through the hillsides and watching Him run.
And some days the fingers that had fashioned the stars,
Would reach out to hold them when the walk was too far.
They wrestled with knowing that His life would bring change;
Friends would grow distant, and shun them as strange.
Though they tried not to think it, in their hearts they were sure,
That their baby was destined to die for the world.

And in one quiet moment, a woman and man
Accepted the part they would have in God’s plan;
To give up His glory, and be born as a man.
In one quiet moment. . .

One quiet moment they could suddenly hear
Thousands of angels singing so clear;
“Glory to God, His Salvation is near !”
In one quiet moment . . .
In this one quiet moment . . .
One quiet moment.
_______________________________

It only takes one single solitary second to make such a huge difference. In just a split second, one choice can mean life or death. In the blink of an eye, any particular decision could change the course of history, decide the fate of nations, or transform the rest of your life forever.

Take Joseph and Mary. “Wait a minute”, you say, “God chose to use them, not the other way around!” Quite true, but just as from the beginning of time, God never made a single soul do what He asked. He has always left it up to man’s own free will…just ask Adam and Eve. Joseph could have said “NO!”, and he almost did. Look for a moment at Matthew 1:18-19.

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly

.There he is, Joseph, a righteous man, a compassionate man, a principled man, and a man who obviously loved his bride to be with all his heart. What was he to do? His fiancée was pregnant…and it wasn’t his baby. His spirit must have been dashed, his soul must have been crushed, and his heart must have felt like someone ripped it from his chest and stomped on it. Yet his integrity was intact. What he was considering he wanted to do quietly, not only to spare her the embarrassment, but also her life. Adultery in those days was punishable by death. So he must have agonized over this one decision long and hard.

But after a visit from an angel, Joseph and Mary both made a choice that would alter the course of eternity! Let’s look again, just a few verses later:

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. Matthew 1:24-25

They didn’t know what lay ahead but they chose to be obedient. They chose to become a part of God’s master plan. And as a result, they got to hold Emmanuel in their arms, they got to hear the mighty choir of heaven sing, and they looked into the face of God.

How do you fit into the plan? Decide to be obedient. Come on, it only takes a moment – and it will be an adventure that lasts forever!

The 9th Song of Christmas

Ever wonder why? Why did God do things the way He did? Why did He choose the ones He did? Wouldn’t it have been better if He had considered other options – not change things or really do them differently, but just tweak them a little? We hear little from Joseph after they were turned away from the Inn, but step into his sandals for a moment and witness the beginning of the salvation of the world from his perspective. Imagine the thoughts that must have raced through his mind: “I know what the Angel said, but He is so tiny!” “How are we going to raise God’s Son?” “Where is the King and his court so they can make a fuss over this miracle child?” “Who are those smelly guys over there and where did they come from?” “Go away, goat, go find your dinner elsewhere.” “Count the toes, count the fingers, are they all there?” “He has His Father’s eyes.” “Am I really holding God?”

But perhaps Joseph struggled most with this simple concept…”What a strange way to save the world.”

...an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:20-21

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A Strange Way to Save the World
4 Him from the CD “Christmas, The Season of Love”

I'm sure he must have been surprised At where this road had taken him
'Cause never in a million lives
Would he have dreamed of Bethlehem And standing at the manger He saw with his own eyes The message from the angel come to life And Joseph said...

Why me, I'm just a simple man of trade? Why Him with all the rulers in the world? Why here inside this stable filled with hay? Why her, she's just an ordinary girl?Now, I'm not one to second guess what angel's have to say But this is such a strange way to save the world

To think of how it could have been If Jesus had come as He deserved There would have been no Bethlehem No lowly shepherds at His birth But Joseph knew the reason The love had to reach so far And as he held the Savior in his arms He must have thought...

Why me, I'm just a simple man of trade?Why Him with all the rulers in the world? Why here inside this stable filled with hay? Why her, she's just an ordinary girl? Now, I'm not one to second guess what angel's have to say But this is such a strange way to save the world

The 8th Song of Christmas

Christmas is a joyous occasion, filled with brightly adorned packages, twinkling lights, festive decorations, carefully selected ornaments, family get-togethers and lots and lots of food. We cherish the Christmas cards, the annual “what’s been going on with our family” letters, and holiday emails. Often we get frustrated at the hustle and bustle of shopping for just the right gift while fighting the crowds and the endless search for parking spaces. Sometimes we lose sight of why we shop for our loved ones – it is no longer about bringing “joy to the world”, but about finding the long lost item that is sold out in every store before some other desperate parent or spouse beats us to it.

Then something happens that lifts the fog and tugs on our heartstrings and reminds us of why we give in the first place. This Christmas, I pray that you catch a glimpse of heaven’s love and are constantly aware of what Christmas is truly all about.

My dear friends, we must love each other. Love comes from God, and when we love each other, it shows that we have been given new life. We are now God's children, and we know him. God is love, and anyone who doesn't love others has never known him. God showed his love for us when he sent his only Son into the world to give us life. Real love isn't our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven. Dear friends, since God loved us this much, we must love each other.

We love because God loved us first. 1 John 4:7-11, 19 (CEV)

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The Christmas Shoes

by Newsong

It was almost Christmas time,
There I stood in another line
Tryin' to buy that last gift or two,
Not really in the Christmas mood
Standing right in front of me
Was a little boy waiting anxiously
Pacing 'round like little boys do
And in his hands he held a pair of shoes

His clothes were worn and old,
He was dirty from head to toe
And when it came his time to pay
I couldn't believe what I heard him say

Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful
If Mama meets Jesus tonight

He counted pennies for what seemed like years
Then the cashier said, "Son, there's not enough here"
He searched his pockets frantically
Then he turned and he looked at me
He said Mama made Christmas good at our house
Though most years she just did without
Tell me Sir, what am I going to do,
Somehow I've got to buy these Christmas shoes

So I laid the money down, I just had to help him out
I'll never forget the look on his face when he said
Mama's gonna look so great

Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight

I knew I'd caught a glimpse of heaven's love
As he thanked me and ran out
I knew that God had sent that little boy
To remind me just what Christmas is all about

Repeat Chorus

The 7th Song of Christmas

Welcome to Our World
by Chris Rice

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You've been promised, we've been waiting
Welcome Holy Child
Welcome Holy Child

Hope that you don't mind our manger
How I wish we would have known
But long-awaited Holy Stranger
Make Yourself at home
Please make Yourself at home

Bring Your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking Heaven's silence
Welcome to our world
Welcome to our world

Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born
Unto us is born

So wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy
Perfect Son of God
Perfect Son of God

Welcome to our world
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The world did not welcome the Christ Child into the world although they had been waiting centuries for this Messiah. He came in this world as the light of the world (John 1:9; 3:19; 12:46), as King and testimony to the truth (John 18:37), and as the Savior of the world (John 3:16-17; 1 Timothy 1:15), and so that we may have life (1 John 4:9).

Today He stands at the door of your heart and knocks. Invite Him in. Welcome Him to your world.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:19-20

The 6th Song of Christmas

Breath Of Heaven (Mary's Song)
By Amy Grant

I have traveled many moonless nights
Cold and weary with a babe inside
And I wonder what I've done
Holy Father You have come
And chosen me now to carry Your Son

I am waiting in a silent prayer
I am frightened by the load I bear
In a world as cold as stone
Must I walk this path alone
Be with me now
Be with me now

Breath of Heaven hold me forever
Be forever near me breath of Heaven
Breath of Heaven lighten my darkness
Pour over me, Your holiness
For You are holy – Breath of Heaven

Do You wonder as You watch my face
If a wiser one, should of had my place
But I offer – all I am
For the mercy – of Your plan
Help me be strong
Help me be
Help me

Breath of Heaven hold me forever
Be forever near me breath of Heaven
Breath of Heaven lighten my darkness
Pour over me, Your holiness
For You are holy – Breath of Heaven
_______________________________

Remember back to a time when you were chosen for some position, or promotion, or to head up some project. What a time of trepidation. They say that the average person in America changes jobs every few years. I remember when I left the law firm to become a Trust Officer. For several months I wondered why they chose me. What attributes did I possess that they wanted? What was I supposed to do? How was I to make a difference in the company and in the lives of the customers? I felt so inadequate and unworthy. But I also felt grateful and honored that I possessed some skill or quality that they could use.

Imagine what Mary must have felt like when God chose her to bring His Son into the world. God has not chosen us to carry His Son, but He has chosen us to carry His Son’s message of love and salvation to the world. What a responsibility! What an honor! We need to pray each day “Lord, I offer all I am. Help me be strong, Lord, help me.”

Then he said: “The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” Acts 22:14-16

The 5th Song of Christmas

Every new mother and father wonder and dream of the life their new baby will have. Each parent wants their child to have a better life…to be the smartest, best looking, most athletic, popular, and talented kid on the block. We hope that our child will grow up to be a doctor, a lawyer, a professional athlete, or a successful businessman who will make a comfortable living, have a good measure of authority, and make a difference in the world.

But what if your child was the SON OF GOD!?! What could you possible wish for? How would you raise Him? Would you have to discipline Him? Would you ever have to correct Him? Or would He correct you? Would He try out for school athletics? Would He make the team? Would He ever fall down and scrape His knee or hit His thumb with a hammer? Would He cry? Would you ever go hungry again? Or could he miraculously provide food when none exists? How do you teach God’s own Son the holy scriptures? Would you constantly have to tell your other children to be more like Jesus? Would you constantly have to tell yourself to be more like Jesus? How might if feel to actually hug and kiss God?

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

Mary Did You Know?
By Mark Lowry

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Did you know
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Did you know
That your baby boy will calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know
That your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little boy
You've kissed the face of God

Mary, did you know?
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
And the dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Did you know
That your baby boy will one day rules the nations?
Did you know
That your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the Great I Am

The 4th Song of Christmas

All major events in history have been accompanied by some kind of celebration and hoopla. The best in sports are greeted with ticker-tape parades. Major victories in times of war are announced on every television set, radio and newspaper and are celebrated in every establishment and business and home in the nation. The arrival of dignitaries are preceded by motorcades with flashing lights and secret service. So you would think that the day that God decided to join His creations here on earth would generate the most excitement known to man...after all, they had been anticipating the coming of the Messiah for generations. Instead, for most of the world, the birth of God’s own Son was just another ordinary day, filled with the same old frustrations and anxieties of every day life. Not really the reception for a King!

The world missed it once – but NEXT TIME all of eternity will hear the fanfare!

And then at last the signal of my coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning all around the earth. And the nations of the world will see me arrive in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And I shall send forth my angels with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast, and they shall gather my chosen ones from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven. Matthew 24:30-31 (TLB)

In the First Light
by Bob Kauflin

In the first light of a new day no one knew he had arrived
Things continued as they had been while a newborn softly cried
But the heavens wrapped in wonder knew the meaning of his birth
In the weakness of a baby they knew God had come to earth

As his mother held him closely it was hard to understand
That her baby, not yet speaking, was the word of God to manHe would tell them of his kingdom but their hearts would not believeThey would hate him and in anger they would nail him to a tree

But the sadness would be broken as the song of life arose
And the firstborn of creation would ascend and take his throneHe had left it to redeem us but before his life beganHe knew he'd come back, not as a baby, but as the Lord of every man

Hear the angels as they're singing on the morning of his birth
But how much greater will their song be when he comes again, when he comes againHear the angels as they're singing on the morning of his birthBut how much greater will their song be when he comes to rule the earth!

The 3rd Song of Christmas

Joy To The World
Words adapted from Psalms 98 by Isaac Watts;
Music by G.F. Handel, arr. By Lowell Mason

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods,
rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love

_________________

Ever seen anyone who is just bustin’ at the seams? Ever been a time when you just can’t contain your joy? The promotion finally came through! You really hit a hole in one! You are now a homeowner for the first time! The baby has arrived!! That will surely put a smile on your face. It’s time to celebrate…break out the cigars (bubble gum, of course), send out the invitations, hang the banners, run up the phone bill, perhaps even buy that new 60” wide screen plasma tv you’ve had your eye on (well, at least a new remote). You can’t wait for someone to ask you what all the fuss is about – and they better have a lot of time to listen to you extol the virtues of your accomplishments and how your life will surely change.

If we pop our buttons over such news, imagine what it would be like if God Himself came down for a visit!! Why, we could never cease to sing His praises. In fact, all of heaven and earth would burst out into a melodious refrain that would shake the very foundation of the earth.

That is why we celebrate Christmas. The fact that the very God that created us came to pay us a visit; to become one of us, to shoulder our burdens and troubles, to conquer the sin that quashed our joy, to utterly envelop us in His love.

Now THAT is reason to sing a joyful song!!

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-12

The 2nd Song of Christmas

Emmanuel
Michael W. Smith, “A Christmas Collection”

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Wonderful Counselor
Lord of Life, Lord of All
He is the Prince of Peace,
Mighty God, Holy One
Emmanuel, Emmanuel

A very simple song...not one that will make you cry or yearn for snow or hot cocoa, or remind you of Burl Ives or Bing Crosby. No sentiments about jingle bells, Santa Claus, sleigh rides, or chestnuts roasting on an open fire. No references to silent nights, mangers, little towns, drummer boys or wise men. Just a simple description of God’s Son.

The Christ is the Wonderful Counselor, the Lord of Life, the Lord of all, the Prince of Peace, the Mighty God, the Holy One. But what makes this simple song so powerful is the single one word description, Emmanuel. What makes it so powerful is its definition – “God with us.” Jesus is not just all of those wonderful things described in the song, He is all those things along side of each of us.

What LOVE!

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23 (KJV)

The 1st Song of Christmas

I promised a brief commentary on 12 Christmas songs that stir my heart. These will be in no particular order of significance or sentiment.

This first song touches me every time I hear it. It is a poignant reminder of what is important in life. We often hear that we need to remember “the reason for the season”, but then we forget that He is also the reason for life itself. There is never a bad time to sing to, or about Jesus!

Christmas Carol

by Newsong, from the Album "The Christmas Shoes"

I first met her in December on a snowy winter’s night
And it didn’t take me long to see that something wasn’t right
They called her Christmas Carol, said her mind was nearly gone
But she could still light up the room when she sang a Christmas song
Seems no one knows the story to explain her Christmas cheer
Why she keeps the decorations up all through the year
And though she long ago forgot the names of family and friends
When it comes to singing Christmas songs she’s like a child again

CHORUS:
Sing, oh sing, Christmas Carol
Sing with all of your might
Sing “Joy to the World"
Sing “O Holy Night“
You’re closer now to Jesus Than you’ve ever been
Sing, oh sing, Christmas Carol
Sing your songs to Him

I had told my son about her, so I thought I’d take him by
And he was so amazed at all the tinsel and the lights
She laughed and told her stories of her Christmas memories
But nothing told it better than when she began to sing

CHORUS

The last time that I saw her, she didn’t recognize me
Her hair was thin and she was frail, and she couldn’t even speak
But I could sit down next to her, sing her favorite Christmas songs
And somehow, God only knows how,
She could still sing right along!

CHORUS

The Reluctant Servant

There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, “Son, go and work today in the vineyard.” "I will not,” he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, “I will, sir,” but he did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted? Matthew 21:28-31

Saturday night, I sat down for the first time to watch the perennial holiday favorite, “It’s A Wonderful Life”. (Never mind that I have owned the movie on video for 8 or 9 years; but, I must confess, I have never watched the whole show from beginning to end until now.) I have seen the ending probably a million times, but I always seem to pick up the film where George is about to jump off the bridge so that his family can collect the life insurance. Thus, all these years, I have missed the main theme of the movie – sacrificial servanthood!

When George Bailey graduated high school, he wanted to set the world on fire. With the money he had saved, he wanted to tour foreign lands and then return to college to get his education so that he could make a difference in the world by building skyscrapers and a “bridge a mile long”. He wanted more than anything to escape the small town life, and his father’s building and loan. However, when his father died, he put his plans on hold and took over the business. He used his savings to send his younger brother, Harry, to college. For 4 years he anticipated his brother’s return so that Harry could take over the business and George could finally escape, but, again, he encouraged his brother to take a better job with his father-in-law and George abandoned his dreams and continued to run the business in order to avoid the evil Mr. Potter from devouring the building and loan. Then, George married his sweetheart, and, just when they were about to leave on their honeymoon, the depression hit and the townspeople flocked to the building and loan to withdraw their money. After explaining that there was not enough money in the vault to satisfy every depositor, George and Mary used their own money, set aside for their honeymoon, to tide the citizens over, foregoing their anticipated honeymoon.

Throughout the years that I have seen the end of the story, I knew it represented that we never know how many lives we touch, but all those years, I missed the true moral of the story…he made a difference in the lives of all those he touched because he was willing to sacrifice his dreams for the good of others.

While watching, I was immediately reminded of the story in Matthew 21 where the son told his father “no”, but was obedient none-the-less. This is exactly what our Father asks of us. After all, this is exactly what He asked of His own Son, and His Son was obedient unto death!

We may be reluctant or even defiant, but in the end, God asks us to be obedient and to put the needs of others above our own desires. Then, He promises, that it will truly be a WONDERFUL LIFE!

The Twelve Songs of Christmas

COMING SOON!

You've heard "The Twelve Days of Christmas" sung ad nauseum over the many years, and each year some reporter/columnist with too much time on their hands tries to figure out just exactly how many thousands, or hundreds of thousands, of dollars everything in the song costs for that year.

Well, as a famous conservative talk show host is want to say, "words mean something". So I will be compiling a list of 12 songs that epitomize the spirit of Christmas for me and elaborating on their significance to my faith walk. Thus I will not be "reviewing" the standard, popular, best loved secular Christmas songs - you might even see a few you may or may not have heard of.

Be watching starting December 14 for a song a day that I hope will make you stop and think about the real reason for the season - and ultimately the real reason and purpose for our very existence.

Waynes World

Some of you may remember the quirky Saturday Night Live sketch about two teenagers who started a cable access show in their basement. The most memorable parts of the recurring sketch were when they had a major guest on their show. The two would fall to their knees and bow to the guests and shout, “I’m not worthy, I’m not worthy!” Although they thought they were gifted and talented, they realized that their celebrity paled in comparison to the greatness of their guests.

Isaiah realized his own unworthiness when in the presence of God. After seeing a vision of the Lord, high and exalted, surrounded by worshipping angels shouting, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory," Isaiah suddenly felt filthy, undeserving, speechless, worthless, insignificant, sinful. (Isaiah 6:3, 5). He cried out to the Lord, “Woe is me!” He was suddenly confronted by his sin and the sin of his people. We too find ourselves in the position of being unworthy. Romans 3:23 tells us that we are all sinners and that we can never measure up. When we realize that we are in the presence of our perfect Creator, we all should fall to our knees and cry out to God that we are “undone” – weak, miserable, destroyed, ruined, helpless, unclean. But, Jesus came to make us strong, blessed, confident, victorious, and clean. So, even though we can never be worthy, God has called us to be His children (John 1:12-13), a chosen people and royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10), His messengers (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15), and a reflection of His glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Paul urges us to live a life worthy of God’s calling by being completely humble and gentle, patient, bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:1-2). Be faithful and persevere in persecutions and trials so that our God may count us worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of ours and every act prompted by our faith (2 Thessalonians 1:5,11).

“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.” Colossians 1:10-12

God is Good

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34.

Thanksgiving – a time of grateful praise to and for the Creator who made us what and who we are and who gave us so many blessings that we cannot count them. I heard a superb lesson last week that pointed out the attributes of God from a “lay person’s” perspective. Psalms 145 reminds us that we cannot fathom the greatness of God. We always think of God as “omni”- omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent, but the psalmist puts this in ways that we can all understand. Here is a list of how David views his God:

Compassionate, slow to anger, rich in love, creator, worthy of praise and glory, everlasting, enduring, faithful, encouraging, provider, righteous, near, listener, savior, protector, conqueror

In short, GOD IS GOOD…ALL THE TIME!

What images come to mind when you think of God?