Hark-Do You Hear Them?

Luke 2:10-14
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 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.”

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.”

You gotta love Linus!

I don’t think I’ve missed watching A Charlie Brown Christmas since the show debuted in 1965. Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate Linus and his blanket. If you watch closely, when he recites the story of Jesus’ birth, he drops his security blanket. He knows his true security has come as a babe in the manger. Yes, the characters are cartoons, but the story is real. Charlie Brown represents all of us who are searching for the truth, and Linus presents it to him in the most beautiful way.

As Linus tells, the angels addressed the shepherds with good news of great joy. Years ago, a hymn called Hark How All the Welkin Rings by Charles Wesley evolved over time into Hark the Herald Angels Sing. Welkin means heavens or skies. He shared the beautiful idea of the angels, who rejoiced. Wesley’s hymn changed, but the story of Jesus’ birth remains the same. The angel approached shepherds, a lowly lot by society’s standards, and shared the good news of Jesus. That act shows me Jesus came for every one of us so we can have a relationship with His Father, God.

A few years ago, I realized I’d clung to this hymn because Linus and all his pals sang it at the end of A Charlie Brown Christmas. It has stayed at the top of my favorites list for years.

As you contemplate Christmas and the love of Jesus, I hope you sing with joy.

Celebrating Christmas~Angels

Luke 1:28-33
The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

An angel carried hope to a broken world.

Years ago, I sewed an angel costume for my daughter to wear in the church's Christmas play. She was adorable. That same simple, white dress, and angel wings have been passed down through the family. What a delight to see the little ones dressed in glittery garland halos, and singing from their little hearts.

How do you picture an angel?
In my mind's eye I see cherub cheeks, ringlets in their hair, and bright eyes. Their tiny barefoot feet poke out under crisp white gowns. Each one stands erect and they sing the most beautiful melody. But the angels in the Bible weren't cute little cherubs, they were pictured as fierce warriors, men dressed in white, some bigger than life.

God created angels to minister to his people. In the Bible, angels prepared for spiritual combat, while others delivered divine messages. Either way, they are prepared to battle for and care for Jesus' followers.

Before Jesus was born, they led the brigades to prepare the way for the King of Kings. In the Christmas story these men God sent to earth, visited Joseph, Mary, Zechariah, and the shepherds. They showed up to spread the good news of hope, joy, and love.

You see, God sent the angels with purpose. Our world is broken. God's people need heavenly beings to fight for us, assist us, and speak to us. God asked his angels to spread God's words. I've not seen an angel (that I know of) but I believe they dwell among us. They minister to God's people even as they did in biblical times.

Read the Christmas story in Matthew and Luke and focus on the angels, find the joy they shared as hope for our weary world.

 

Are You Listening to Christmas Music Yet?

I'll confess, I tuned in to the lovely melodies of the holidays as soon as Star 93.3 started playing them. And I may have sneaked a few in before then, from my Amazon play list. 

On Sunday the church's worship team led one of my favorites, Go Tell it on the Mountain. I've loved that song since I was a little girl. There are so many wonderful Christmas songs, both old and new. I'm writing a blog post for work later this week. For the post I asked my co-workers to name their top three favorite holiday songs. Of course I had to answer the question, too. 

I have so many that I love. I had a hard time narrowing the list down. But I did. 

My all time favorite has to be "The Christmas Song." You know the one about chestnuts roasting on an open fire. I am partial to Johnny Mathis's version, his voice is so smooth. And no doubt we listened to his version on the radio when I was young. 

My numbers two and three are performed in a Charlie Brown Christmas. Charlie Brown's friends sing "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" at the end of the show. I love this carol because it reminds me of the joy the angels brought to the shepherds. I can't imagine how they must have felt, minding their own business on the hillside, when the angels appeared. How exciting to receive the news of Jesus birth first hand.

Last, I love the song "Christmas Time Is Here" written by Lee Mendelson and Vince Guaraldi. 

What are your favorite holiday songs? I'd love to know.