Children have long been referred to as the key to our future, and rightly so as they will inherit the world and eventually reside, influence and lead it as adults. From a theological sense, however, there have been many references to the guarantee of a place in heaven, much akin as the key to heaven, being the ability to see and live life through the eyes of a child.
What then, could it possibly mean to see through the eyes of a child? At a minimum, it is the absence of filters, pure honesty and innocence magnified. Moreover, it is authenticity, vulnerability and kindness without compromise, without prejudice nor fear.
The eyes of a child represents a naive, positive and pure observation of reality, absolute and unaltered in semantics and virtue. The eyes of a child observes the world with pure honesty, with unlimited potential, with absolute faith, blamelessness…
Ring Christmas Bells Ring them loud with the message bringing Peace on the earth Tidings of good cheer Come carolers Come and join with the angels singing Joy to the world Christmas Time is here again
Children gather around and listen You’ll hear the sound Of angels filling the sky Telling everyone Christmas Time is here
Ring Christmas Bells Ring them loud with the message bringing Peace on the earth Tidings of good cheer Come carolers Come and join with the angels singing Joy to the world Christmas Time is here again
Loved ones close to our hearts And strangers in lands afar Together share in the joy Emmanuel To tell the world He has come to dwell The time is near With one voice Let the world rejoice
Christmas Time is here
Ring Christmas Bells Ring them loud with the message bringing Peace on the earth Tidings of good cheer Come carolers Come and join with the angels singing Joy to the world Christmas Time is here again
Children gather around and listen You’ll hear the sound Of angels filling the sky It’s Christmas Time is here again
All the lights, sights, and sounds of Christmas Time…
Point to one thing…
That we should…
Rejoice!!
We’re celebrating the birth of our Savior!!
Matthew 1:22-23
“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel”(which means “God with us”).
Into darkness, sadness, desperate madness, creation so torn.
We were so lost on earth, no peace, no worth, no way to escape.
In fear, no faith, no hope, no grace, and no light
But that was the night before Christmas.
Warm hay, cold sweat, a mother, not yet.
Praying godspeed the dawn.
She looks to her man, holding her hand. They wonder how long.
And the shepherds, wise men come to find them, and bow to a king.
One star above shining on love, so bright, it lit up the night before Christmas.
And the world didn’t know mercywas meek and so mild.
And the world didn’t know that truth was as pure as a child.
The night before Christmas.
The night before Christmas.
And the world didn’t know, redemption was sweet and so strong.
And the world didn’t know salvation was writing a song.
The night before Christmas.
The night before Christmas.
The night before Christmas.
Empty manger, perfect stranger, about to be born.
I wonder if you’ve heard the story Of little fame and lesser glory The night the keeper of the inn In the little town of Bethlehem Encountered Joseph and his Mary About to birth the Savior of the world.
His wife said, “Go and see who’s knocking.” He ran down to the gate, unlocked it The moment he heard Mary’s cry He couldn’t look them in the eye Denied them in, went back to bed When his wife asked who was there, he said… “I don’t know… Just a girl Just a couple of gypsies begging at the door Told them we don’t have room for anymore And closed the door It was just a girl” He tried to sleep, but wasn’t able He snuck out to the dirty stable Where two had found the covering And later in her suffering The keeper knelt outside the barn And in the light of that great star, he prayed “What have I done? He’s just a babe Just minutes old there trembling in the hay I could’ve found a room for them to stay I’m so ashamed He’s just a babe.”
There was no robe There was no crown The shepherds stood on Royal ground The keeper wept, for what he’d done He turned away, God’s own Son
Just a King Just a million angels crowding in to see Jesus there among humanity
Just a babe Just minutes old there trembling in the hay Staring at His mother in the face She’s just a girl
Just a girl Does she even know that she just changed the world? Does she even know that He will save the world? Does Mary know that He will save the world? She’s just a girl Just a girl Just a girl
If you told me all about your sorrows
I’d tell you about a cure
If you told me you can’t fight the battle
There’s a Baby Boy who won the war
The war was won by a Baby Boy
Alleluia, we can sing it
Alleluia, Heaven’s ringing
Alleluia!
Endless hope and relentless joy started with a Baby Boy
Oh, before that silent night
No Savior and no Jesus Christ
The world cried out so desperately
And the Baby Boy was the reply,
Yes, Heaven’s reply was a baby boy
Alleluia, we can sing it
Alleluia, Heaven’s ringing
Alleluia!
Endless hope and endless joy started with a Baby Boy
See, the King is coming down
And He’s here without a crown
The Baby Boy without a bed
Giving life back to the dead
And hear the angels shout it out
As the people are coming down
Unexpected majesty
Alleluia, what a King
Alleluia, we can sing it
Alleluia, Heaven’s ringing
Alleluia!
Endless hope and relentless joy started with a Baby Boy
Alleluia, we can sing it!
Alleluia, yeah, Heaven’s ringing!
Alleluia!
Endless hope and relentless joy started with a Baby Boy!
out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David,
which is called Bethlehem;
(because he was of the house and lineage of David.)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there,
the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son,
and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger;
because there was no room for them in the inn.”
I’ve made the same mistake before Too many malls, too many stores December traffic, Christmas rush It breaks me ’til I push and shove
Children are crying while mothers are trying To photograph Santa and sleigh The shopping and buying and standing forever in line What can I say?
I need a Silent Night, a Holy Night To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here To end this crazy day with a Silent Night
December comes then disappears Faster and faster every year Did my own mother keep this pace Or was the world a different place?
Where people stayed home wishing for snow Watching three channels on their TV Look at us now rushing around Trying to buy Christmas peace
I need a Silent night, a Holy Night To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here To end this crazy day with a Silent Night
What was it like back there in Bethlehem With Peace on earth, good will toward men?
“There were shepherds out in the field Keeping watch over their flock by night And the glory of the Lord shone around them And they were so afraid
And the angels said, ‘Fear not, for behold I bring you Good News of a great joy that shall be for all people For unto you is born this day, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’
…And His Name shall be called, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace.”
(Luke 2:8-11, Isaiah 9:6)
I need a Silent Night, a Holy Night To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here To end this crazy day with a Silent Night To end this crazy day with a Silent Night
“Silent Night”
Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and Child. Holy Infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
“Silent Night” was written by a Catholic priest, Joseph Mohr, pastor in the Austrian Alps in a little town of Oberndorf.
It was Christmas Eve, 1815, when he meditated on the wonderful story of the birth of Christ and wrote the sweet, simple verses of this song.
The next day he took them to the village schoolmaster, an organist, Franz Gruber, who prayerfully put them to music that fits them so quietly and so well.
And that night they had the choir sing it for the first time with only guitar accompaniment, since the organ had broken down .
Through the years this sweet song drifted out to the world and now millions of people rejoice as they sing.
If you search YouTube for Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus,” you’ll discover countless versions, from the Mormon Tabernacle choir to smaller church singing groups. For me, though, nothing moves me more than a flash mob in the food court at the mall.
Although this video has been around for a number of years and although it enjoyed viral status, I find myself searching for this video all year long. There are so many layers that bring on my emotions: having this amazing sound in something as common as the mall, watching the passion of the performers (who took the time to do this) and the reactions of the shoppers (who paused during the hectic holiday prep time), and wishing that I could be somewhere just as a flash mob begins.
Without any further delay, here is the “Hallelujah Chorus.” Please, pass the Kleenex.
Through the good you do for the people that don’t have it so good!
Light up…
Show the way…
Don’t wait for Christmas Day!
Light up…
And finally figure out…
What Christmas is all about!!
Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!
Hear the sound?
A thousand angels singing out!
To God Almighty.. .
We’re bowing down…
And that’s what Christmas is all about!!
Isaiah 7:14
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,
and will call Him Immanuel.”
Isaiah 9:6-7
“For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”
With my cup of coffee on a bright sunny day last week…
Reading through some old Pentecostal Evangel magazines…
I have ready outside for just such an opportunity to sit and relax!
I came across an article about “Dave and Robin Kidd, who pastor True North Church (Assemblies of God) in Minerva, Ohio, and offer marriage seminars through their Binding Hearts Marriage and Family Ministries. The Kidd family suffered the destruction of their home to a fire on the night of April 27, 2013. Their son, Justin, 20, was unable to get out of his basement bedroom, and perished in the fire. The Kidds have continued in ministry during the months following Justin’s death, and reflect this Thanksgiving on the blessing of his life.”
To read the entire interview with
Scott Harrup, Pentecostal Evangel managing editor…
And Justin had posted the same topic to his youth group!
It caught my attention, because…
I had just counseled one of our young adults on the same subject!
God gives us more than we can handle…
God asks us to do difficult things…
But, we aren’t expected to do them alone…
We’re expected to depend on Him and not on our own understanding!!
Here’s
Justin’s Post of Apr. 18, 2013
Can You Handle?
One of the most common things you will hear people say is simply this: “God Will Not Give You More Than You Can Handle.” Seriously…I have lost count of how many times I have heard this said. Not only have I heard it numerous times, I am also guilty of saying this myself over the years…But here is the thing..It actually is another one of the lies that we buy..Before I started studying the word of god, and actually getting to know him better over the last year I have learned that this is actually in fact false.
This Statement, is actually misquoted scripture coming from 1 Corinthians 10:13 which says simply this:
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be TEMPTED beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
Saying that God will not give you more than you can handle, and saying he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, IS NOT THE SAME! Temptation is not circumstances..they are separate. You will be tempted and Tested in life, but as it says with the temptation will come a way out so you can endure the temptation, but he didn’t say he wouldn’t give us problems we couldn’t handle. This is why so many people misquote this scripture.
I in fact now believe the opposite. God does in fact give us more than we can handle. This is for the sole purpose of our need for his divine intervention. We alone can not handle..but with his help we can. That is why he allows test/trials.
Yes the saying God won’t give you more than you can handle sounds good..but here is the catch…just because something sounds good…doesn’t mean its true or biblical. There are plenty of things out there in the world that people will tell you that sounds great, but as I said, that doesn’t mean it is true.
I in fact now believe the opposite. God does in fact give us more than we can handle. This is for the sole purpose of our need for his divine intervention. We alone can not handle..but with his help we can. That is why he allows test/trials.
So what is my challenge to my readers this week?
Before believing anything you hear, go to gods word first. As I already said, just because it sounds good, that doesn’t mean it is true. CHECK IT!
This is a new thing that is new to my youth, since this is what I preached last night, but I have been doubting myself and this message since last night, and just now my Aunt turned on a movie, and it just had a scene that I caught and in the scene this message was just taught by the pastor in the movie, so to me this was a confirmation that this is what was to be shared. And for that I thank god for. I needed that myself.
I just loved his passion for God…
For God’s Word…
And for the youth he worked with!
Here’s another one of his posts…
Perfectly Broken
An excerpt from Justin’s post on March 28th, 2013:
1.) If we think we are perfect, we simply are not real and we are empty.
2.) We are perfect at one thing…..being broken!
3.) We are imperfect and broken people being brought back together by the Perfect God!
4.) The sooner we stop trying to achieve the perfect life, the sooner we can start focusing on things that matter more, and do greater and better things!
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