Monday, December 31, 2018

A Year Of Precious Blessings



"Come to the waters, and he who has no money, come,
buy and eat! Yes, come, buy priceless spiritual wine
and milk without money and without price,
simply for the self-surrender that accepts the blessing."
Isaiah 55:1


Life Giving Water
Yongsung Kim



A year of precious blessings
And glorious victories won,
Of earnest work progressing,
Its onward course has run;
To Thee, O God, our refuge,
Whose goodness crowns our days,
Within Thy earthly temple,
We lift our souls in praise;

Within Thy earthly temple,
We lift our souls in praise.
Thou master of assemblies
In mighty power descend,
Behold our glad reunion,
Conduct it to the end;
Inspire our hearts with courage
And deeper love for Thee,
That all, Thy name may honor
Where'er our field may be.

O Church of God's anointed,
March on the world to win,
Lead forth thy ranks by millions
Against the hosts of sin,
Till at His throne in glory,
Where angels prostrate fall,
One hallelujah chorus
Shall crown Him Lord of all,
One hallelujah chorus
Shall crown Him Lord of all.


"A Year Of Precious Blessings"
Fanny Crosby
(1820-1915)
 Prolific American hymn writer.
During her life time, Fanny, who had been blind
since infancy, wrote over 8,000 Christian praise and worship songs.


To all my dear readers around the world who graciously take
the time to read this blog, thank you for your consideration and kindness.
May God grant each one of you His precious and abundant blessings of 
good health, prosperity, and especially, His peace.




New Year Song





They say that the year is old and gray,
That his eyes are dim with sorrow;
But what we care, though he pass away?
For the New Year comes tomorrow.

No sighs we have for the roses fled,
No tears for the vanished summer;
Fresh flowers will spring where the old are dead,
To welcome the glad new comer.



Air Castles
(1905)
Maxfield Parrish
(1870-1966)
American artist



He brings us a gift from the beautiful land
We see, in our rosy dreaming,
What the wonderful castles of fancy stand
In magical sunshine gleaming.

Then sing, young hearts that are full of cheer,
With never a thought of sorrow;
The old goes out, but the glad young year
Comes merrily in tomorrow.



Vintage cover art from 100 years ago
J.C. Leyendecker
(1874-1951)
American Illustrator



"New Year Song"
Emily Huntington Miller
(1833-1913)
American author, poet, educator
assistant editor and hymn writer




Sunday, December 30, 2018

Fifth Sunday Meditation: Behold God My Salvation!





"But Mary was keeping within herself all these sayings,
weighing and pondering them in her heart."
Luke 2:19



Madonna of the Rose Bower
(1440-1442)
Stefan Lochner
(1410-1451)
German painter



ISAIAH
CHAPTER 12

And in that day you will say, I will give thanks to You, O Lord;
for though You were angry with me, Your anger has turned away,
and You comfort me.

Behold, God, my salvation!

I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord God is my Strength
and Song; yes, He has become my Salvation.

Therefore with joy will you draw water from the wells of salvation.

And in that day you will say, Give thanks to the Lord, call upon
His name and by means of His name is solemn entreaty;
declare and make known His deeds among the peoples of the earth,
proclaim that His name is exalted!

Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done excellent things, gloriously;
let this be made known to all the earth.

Cry aloud and shout joyfully, you women and inhabitants of Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.




Faith
Yongsung Kim



Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would 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?
Mary 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?
When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God?

(Refrain)
Mary did you know? Mary did you know? Mary did you know?
Mary did you know? Mary did you know? Mary did you know?


The blind will see, the deaf will hear, 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?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
That sleeping child you're holding is the great I AM.

(Refrain)



"Mary Did You Know?"
(1984)
Lyrics written by
Mark Alan Lowry
(1958-
American Christian singer/songwriter
Music composed by
Buddy Greene
(1953-
American Christian singer/songwriter




Saturday, December 29, 2018

The Twelve Days of Christmas






This old Christmas carol was actually a cleverly disguised way
of helping children learn the tenets of their Christian faith in 16th century England.
The dominant religious forces operating within the political atmosphere at the time, 
 had Protestants persecuting Roman Catholics and Roman Catholics persecuting
Protestants, while those with a more nonconformist attitude towards their
religious beliefs were also targeted for subjugation under the law.



The Partridge In A Pear Tree
Lynn Bywaters


In other words, you could not be a self-declared believer and follower
of Jesus Christ independent from belonging to an organized church.

This terrible time of violence and death is what eventually led to the exodus of 
thousands of Christians from England, seeking their desired religious freedom across
the stormy seas of the Atlantic to the primitive shores of the New World,
"the promise land" which would one day be the nation of America.


On the first day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
A partridge in a pear tree!

Like the mother partridge who selflessly defends her young by
luring predators away from her nest, our Lord Jesus Christ selflessly
gave His life on the cross to save us from sin and the curse of death.


On the second day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree!

Doves are often depicted in the Bible as messengers of hope, as
when the second dove Noah sent out from the ark returned with an
olive leaf and he knew that the flood waters had subsided from the land.

When Jesus was baptized by John in the river Jordan, behold the
heavens opened and the Spirit of God descended like a dove and
alighted on Him.  "And behold, a voice from heaven said:
"This is My Son, My Beloved, in Whom I delight!"
(Matthew 3:17)


On the third day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree!

According to some historians, French hens were a
culinary delight fit for the table of a king.
The gifts brought to the Christ child by the Magi-
gold, frankincense and myrrh- were gifts befitting
the majesty of a king, and were given to the
Lord to honor Him as the King of kings,
and Lord of lords.


On the fourth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree!

The four calling birds represent the four evangelists,
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and their message
of the life and teaching ministry of Jesus and the ethical and
spiritual principles of the Messianic kingdom, with special
emphasis that the Son of God came to earth to live among us,
to seek and to save that which was lost.


On the fifth day of Christmas 
My true love gave to me
Five golden rings!
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree!

Gold has long been symbolic of wealth and
worldly riches, yet, the value of gold pales in comparison
to the lasting truth and promise found within the Word of God.


On the sixth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Six geese a layin'
Five golden rings!
Four calling birds 
Three French hens
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree!

Eggs are a symbol of new life, and the 'six geese a layin'
 further remind us that God created the world in six days.


On the seventh day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Seven swans a swimmin'
Six geese a layin'
Five golden rings!
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree!


The beautiful Swan,  although graceful in appearance,
is actually a creature of tremendous strength. 
One swat from their wings can actually break a man's leg!
That said, the latent strength of the swan reminds us that
our Lord, though gentle and humble in appearance,
is our Strength and our Shield against all the schemes
of the enemy and the rampant deception of this
lost and fallen world.


On the eighth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Eight maids a milkin'
Seven swans a swimmin'
Six geese a-layin'
Five golden rings!
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree!


In the words of the apostle Peter,
"Like newborn babies you should crave the
pure unadulterated spiritual milk, that you may be
nurtured and grow into complete salvation."
(1 Peter 2:2)
Be not only readers of the Word, but put your
complete trust and hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.
They who rely on Him will never be disappointed
or put to shame.


On the ninth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Nine ladies dancing
Eight maids a milkin'
Seven swans a swimmin'
Six geese a-layin'
Five golden rings!
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree!


"But the (nine) fruits of the Holy Spirit, the work of
His presence within accomplishes:

 love
 joy
 peace
patience
kindness
goodness
faithfulness
humility
self-control
(Galatians 5:22-23)


On the tenth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Ten lords a leapin'
Nine ladies dancing
Eight maids a milkin'
Seven swans a swimmin'
Six geese a-layin'
Five golden rings!
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree!


The ten lords a leapin' are thought to
represent the Ten Commandments and the impact
the laws of God have on the life of the obedient believer.

"Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord.
Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool.
If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.
But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.
(Isaiah 1:18-20)


On the eleventh day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Eleven pipers piping
Ten lords a leapin'
Nine ladies dancing
Eight maids a milking
Seven swans a swimmin'
Six geese a-layin'
Five golden rings!
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree!


Jesus began His ministry with twelve hand-picked disciples,
until one, Judas Iscariot, betrayed Him.  The tragic end
of Judas reminds us of the temptation of sin and the lies and deceit
of the enemy of the souls of mankind.  Unlike much of the church
today, Jesus had absolutely no problem teaching on the subject
of hell and how to avoid going there.  He reminds us of
the end result of compromising with the enemy and 
the false values of the world system when He said:
"And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot
kill the soul; but be afraid of Him who can destroy both
soul and body in hell."
(Matthew 10:28)


On the twelfth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Twelve drummers drumming
Eleven pipers piping
Ten lords a leapin'
Nine ladies dancing
Eight maids a milkin
Seven swans a swimmin'
Six geese a-layin'
Five golden rings!
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree!


Drums were often used in biblical times as instruments
of praise and worship to the Lord.

The Hebrew word "tof" or frame drum, is commonly
mistranslated in the Scriptures as tambourine or timbrel.
However, according to both archaeologists and biblical 
scholars alike, the tambourine did not appear until
Roman times.  In one of the earliest records of a drum
being used in worship, the prophetess Miriam, sister of
Moses and Aaron, "took a timbrel (drum) in her hand,
and all the women went out after her with timbrels and
dancing.  And Miriam responded to them, 
"Sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously
and is highly exalted; the horse and the rider 
(Pharaoh's chariots and horsemen in pursuit of Israel)
He has thrown into the sea."
(Exodus 15:20-21)


The Song of Miriam 
Celebrating after crossing the Red Sea
(18th Century)
Paulo Malteis
(Italy)




Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Good King Wenceslas





The day after Christmas in England is called Boxing Day.
Traditionally it was a time when people gave gifts
of food, clothing, and money to their employees and to
those in domestic service, as well as distributed 
alms to the poor and needy.

 December 26th is also the Feast of Saint Stephen.
Stephen was the first Christian martyr.
This is a public holiday is observed in many nations in Europe
including Ireland, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic,
 Wales, Germany, Poland,  Spain, and Switzerland.


"Good King Wenceslas" tells the story of a Bohemian king
traveling during harsh winter weather in order to give alms to
the poor on the Feast of Saint Stephen, the Second Day of Christmas.



Antique biscuit container with the lyrics from the carol
"Good King Wenceslas"
(circa. 1913)
Victoria and Albert Museum
London, England




Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the Feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about
Deep and crisp and even
Brightly shone the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gathering winter fuel.


Hither, page, and stand by me,
If thou knowst it, telling
Yonder peasant who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?
Sire, he lives a good league hence,
Underneath the mountain
Right against the forest fence
By Saint Agnes fountain.

Bring me flesh and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I shall see him dine
When we bear them thither.
Page and monarch, forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude winds wild lament
And the bitter weather.

Sire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger
Fails my heart, I know not how
I can go no longer.
Mark my footsteps, good my page
Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shall find the winters rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly.

In his masters steps he trod
Where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed
Therefore Christian men be sure
Wealth or rank possessing
Ye who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing.


"Good King Wenceslas"
Lyrics written by
John Mason Neale
(1818-1866)
Anglican priest, scholar, hymn writer




Tuesday, December 25, 2018

200 Years Of Silent Night





On Christmas Eve in 1818, in a church in Oberndorf, Austria
this beautiful song was sung at Midnight mass for the first time...



Holy Spirit Dove
Jayne Pinnix



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, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born.

Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light;
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Silent night, holy night,
Wondrous star, lend thy light;
With the angels let us sing,
Alleluia to our King;
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born!



Silent Night Chapel
Oberndorf bei Salzburg
Austria




"Silent Night"
"Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht"
(1818)
Words by Joseph Mohr
(1792-1848)
Austrian Roman Catholic priest

Composed by Franz Xaver Gruber

(1787-1863)
Austrian teacher, composer, church organist