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"Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD" (Leviticus 19:32). "They were both advanced in years" (Luke 1:7).
Four
times during the Christmas story we have an angel addressing a human
with a very concise but to the point statement, "Fear not!" Can you
recall each instance? (See below). I wonder if in their angelic
training the messengers are instructed, "Before you deliver God's
message be sure to calm the fears of the recipient."
In our Sunday School class this week we were discussing how we all deal with fear of one kind or another. An older man in his eighties shared how he feared losing his eyesight or no longer being able to take care of himself. I shared that I fear what life will be like when I am his age, should the Lord tarry and I see that many years!
We
normally associate the Christmas story with youthfulness, properly
focusing on a young couple and a newborn baby. However, at least four
named older people have a prominent role in the Christmas story. The
first two were Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth, parents of John who
was cousin to Jesus. There were also Simeon and Anna, present at the
infant Christ's dedication. I feel this is significant. In my lifetime
I have seen an observable lowering of esteem, honor and respect to the
elderly. We're troubled at how far this will go and what impact it will
have on the inevitable future generation of elderly to which we are
progressing toward.
I
recall sitting next to Menno Brubaker, an older man who passed away at
102 years of age, after we moved to Lancaster County. I only knew him
in his final years on this earth as a rather short bearded man, further
hunched over by age and his leaning upon his cane for support (even to
the very end of his life). He would always warmly greet me by saying,
"We have so much to be thankful for." What a joy to observe him sing
out as we sang the timeless hymns of the church, especially at
Christmas. We both were expressing our faith in the true meaning of
Christmas as were millions of believers around the world.
I believe some of the greatest, most sacrificial forms of ministry are taking place among the elderly. They're often largely forgotten, even by the church. Today I am so thankful that ministries among the elderly in churches I pastored are still going strong. Today I pay tribute to Kandy, Sally, Sherry, Greg, Marita, Peter, Lillian and several others who regularly share God's love among the elderly. I consider our friends, Oren and Naomi, who prepare a monthly meal and service for the elderly called "Golden Nuggets". One thing the elderly sure love wherever we've been is to sing the hymns they have known and loved, many of them from their very young years.
The first daily verse is a powerful principle so neglected in an age when youth is glorified and the elderly in many cases are essentially warehoused: "Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD."
Respect
for the elderly seems to be one of the many elements we're losing as we
slide farther and farther away from Biblical truth. The last phrase of
the sentence and how it relates to the first two phrases especially
intrigues me. It seems to me that they are interrelated. By honoring
the elderly I am showing reverence for God.
Today most of us have the opportunity to practice the Scripture text. It may be a parent or family member that we honor. It may be a dear friend. Perhaps there are shut-ins in your congregation who need a visit, a card, or a phone call. If you can't visit why not call them and pray with them over the phone. How are you showing respect for the elderly in your setting? I want God to keep me mindful of this group of people who often feel pushed aside and replaced by the more active, youth-oriented activities of the day. Let's choose to obey His Word by practicing honor and respect for the elderly. Let us rise for them in their presence and pray for them in their absence.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father,
there are wonders and mercies that You grant to every generation. We
thrill at the sight of a newborn. We find pleasure in watching an
active, playful child. We're amazed and prayerful as the child grows
into their questioning teen years. And we rejoice as the youth takes
on the responsibilities of adulthood and family. We respond
differently to every generation and conclude with respect and honor to
those who go before us; the seniors and elderly. They deal with
confinement, pain, physical and mental changes, in addition to the
repeated losses of friends and family members. Prompt our memories to
include them in our activities when possible, to give them personal
attention, to pray for them regularly, and to seek them out when
they're among us. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Brooksyne's Note: I want to share an interesting side note regarding others giving proper respect to the elderly. Ester was telling me about an event that took place on Sunday evening. After our musical Sunday night we had a number of chairs in circles for people to sit and enjoy refreshments. Not knowing how many would attend we didn't know how many chairs to set out. Upon arriving for refreshments the children, instead of the adults, took quickly to the available chairs and several seniors were left standing. Ester told me she asked the children to sit on the floor so the older people could sit down. One 9 year old replied, "Let them sit on the floor" as she refused to give up her seat. I'd say this young girl's parents needs to have a serious talk with their youngster (admittedly, I certainly would have had I overheard her troubling attitude).
Expositional Note: Scripture states that Zacharias and Elizabeth as well as Anna were "advanced in years" or as the KJV colorfully states, "well stricken in years". In fact Anna is specifically recorded as being 84. It is not specifically stated that Simeon was old but it is assumed based upon Luke 2:25-32.
"Fear not" ("do not be afraid") commands from angels in the Christmas story.
To Zacharias (Luke 1:13)
To Mary (Luke 1:30)
To Joseph (Matthew 1:20)
To the shepherds (Luke 2:10)
Last
night we joined our friends Rick and Rachel Caldwell for a delicious
beef stew dinner and
a warm time of fellowhip at their home in York, Pennsylvania. They had
a very
interesting Christmas scavenger hunt for us, similar to what they had
during our visit last year. In nearly every room of their home
they hid a
tiny Santa Claus character which was visible but barely, since they
were so small. They challenged us to
go though their home and locate each piece. We had quite a
time and occasionally needed hints (in one room especially) but managed
to find them all eventually (with their coaching)! My favorite hiding
spot was a tiny Santa hidden behind the bathroom sink sitting on the
drain pipe! It was a great idea. Brooksyne commented that only
good housekeepers could plan such a game and Rachel is definitely a
good housekeeper. Not a scant of dust could be found where we located
the wee characters!
Rachel
is an amazing homemaker with every room in their home decorated for
Christmas. My favorite is this display of her Yankee Candles, which was
made by her father. The sign at the top left states "My Favorite
Things". I think that's probably from a line in a musical that states,
"These are a few of my favorite things." Now can you hum along with
that?
Rachel and Brooksyne both enjoy candles. In fact I tease Brooksyne that I wonder if she is addicted to them! (However I suppose if you are going to be addicted to anything, this would be a safe addiction!) We spoke of going up together to see the Yankee Candle flagship store in South Deerfield, Massachusetts where we have been several times when we lived in New England. For Candle Lovers, if you've not been there it's a neat place to go.
"Light" in Christmas carols
Yesterday we shared a short quiz regarding the theme of light which is common in Christmas carols and asked readers to see if they can identify the carol by just the phrase referring to light. Here's the quiz again.
1) Son of God, love's pure light
2) Yonder shines the infant light:
3) And to the earth it gave great light,
4) Light and life to all He brings,
5) But high from God's heaven a star's light did fall,
6) The everlasting Light;
7) Guide us to thy perfect light.
See below for the answers.
Are you Christmas shopping online?
Daily
Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com. Any orders
placed
to
Christian Book Distributers using this link
or any specific product link to
a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our
Daily
Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank
you for considering using these links when purchasing online through
CBD! Tip:
If you are regular CBD customer consider bookmarking this link and using it whenever you
shop.
Looking for a very special Christmas gift for your parents?
Here's an idea! "The Best Gift You Can Ever Give Your Parents"
Looking for a very special Christmas gift for your children?
Here's an idea! "The Blessing"
Christmas carol quiz answers:
1) Silent Night
2) Angels from the Realms of Glory
3) The First Noel
4) Hark the Herald
5) I wonder as I wander
6) O Little Town of Bethlehem
7) We Three Kings
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
In our home we get excited about the first snow. Ester is watching for her ride and her furry friends are watching with her.
Note: This photo was taken last year and we presently don't have as much snow on the ground but we had a nice dusting last night and it is very cold.
Listen to this
message on
your
audio player.
In our home we get excited about the first snow. Ester is watching for her ride and her furry friends are watching with her.
Note: This photo was taken last year and we presently don't have as much snow on the ground but we had a nice dusting last night and it is very cold.
Listen to this
message on
your
audio player."Respecting The Elderly"
"Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD" (Leviticus 19:32). "They were both advanced in years" (Luke 1:7).
Four
times during the Christmas story we have an angel addressing a human
with a very concise but to the point statement, "Fear not!" Can you
recall each instance? (See below). I wonder if in their angelic
training the messengers are instructed, "Before you deliver God's
message be sure to calm the fears of the recipient."In our Sunday School class this week we were discussing how we all deal with fear of one kind or another. An older man in his eighties shared how he feared losing his eyesight or no longer being able to take care of himself. I shared that I fear what life will be like when I am his age, should the Lord tarry and I see that many years!
We
normally associate the Christmas story with youthfulness, properly
focusing on a young couple and a newborn baby. However, at least four
named older people have a prominent role in the Christmas story. The
first two were Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth, parents of John who
was cousin to Jesus. There were also Simeon and Anna, present at the
infant Christ's dedication. I feel this is significant. In my lifetime
I have seen an observable lowering of esteem, honor and respect to the
elderly. We're troubled at how far this will go and what impact it will
have on the inevitable future generation of elderly to which we are
progressing toward.I
recall sitting next to Menno Brubaker, an older man who passed away at
102 years of age, after we moved to Lancaster County. I only knew him
in his final years on this earth as a rather short bearded man, further
hunched over by age and his leaning upon his cane for support (even to
the very end of his life). He would always warmly greet me by saying,
"We have so much to be thankful for." What a joy to observe him sing
out as we sang the timeless hymns of the church, especially at
Christmas. We both were expressing our faith in the true meaning of
Christmas as were millions of believers around the world.I believe some of the greatest, most sacrificial forms of ministry are taking place among the elderly. They're often largely forgotten, even by the church. Today I am so thankful that ministries among the elderly in churches I pastored are still going strong. Today I pay tribute to Kandy, Sally, Sherry, Greg, Marita, Peter, Lillian and several others who regularly share God's love among the elderly. I consider our friends, Oren and Naomi, who prepare a monthly meal and service for the elderly called "Golden Nuggets". One thing the elderly sure love wherever we've been is to sing the hymns they have known and loved, many of them from their very young years.
The first daily verse is a powerful principle so neglected in an age when youth is glorified and the elderly in many cases are essentially warehoused: "Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD."
Respect
for the elderly seems to be one of the many elements we're losing as we
slide farther and farther away from Biblical truth. The last phrase of
the sentence and how it relates to the first two phrases especially
intrigues me. It seems to me that they are interrelated. By honoring
the elderly I am showing reverence for God.Today most of us have the opportunity to practice the Scripture text. It may be a parent or family member that we honor. It may be a dear friend. Perhaps there are shut-ins in your congregation who need a visit, a card, or a phone call. If you can't visit why not call them and pray with them over the phone. How are you showing respect for the elderly in your setting? I want God to keep me mindful of this group of people who often feel pushed aside and replaced by the more active, youth-oriented activities of the day. Let's choose to obey His Word by practicing honor and respect for the elderly. Let us rise for them in their presence and pray for them in their absence.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father,
there are wonders and mercies that You grant to every generation. We
thrill at the sight of a newborn. We find pleasure in watching an
active, playful child. We're amazed and prayerful as the child grows
into their questioning teen years. And we rejoice as the youth takes
on the responsibilities of adulthood and family. We respond
differently to every generation and conclude with respect and honor to
those who go before us; the seniors and elderly. They deal with
confinement, pain, physical and mental changes, in addition to the
repeated losses of friends and family members. Prompt our memories to
include them in our activities when possible, to give them personal
attention, to pray for them regularly, and to seek them out when
they're among us. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray. Amen.Brooksyne's Note: I want to share an interesting side note regarding others giving proper respect to the elderly. Ester was telling me about an event that took place on Sunday evening. After our musical Sunday night we had a number of chairs in circles for people to sit and enjoy refreshments. Not knowing how many would attend we didn't know how many chairs to set out. Upon arriving for refreshments the children, instead of the adults, took quickly to the available chairs and several seniors were left standing. Ester told me she asked the children to sit on the floor so the older people could sit down. One 9 year old replied, "Let them sit on the floor" as she refused to give up her seat. I'd say this young girl's parents needs to have a serious talk with their youngster (admittedly, I certainly would have had I overheard her troubling attitude).
Expositional Note: Scripture states that Zacharias and Elizabeth as well as Anna were "advanced in years" or as the KJV colorfully states, "well stricken in years". In fact Anna is specifically recorded as being 84. It is not specifically stated that Simeon was old but it is assumed based upon Luke 2:25-32.
"Fear not" ("do not be afraid") commands from angels in the Christmas story.
To Zacharias (Luke 1:13)
To Mary (Luke 1:30)
To Joseph (Matthew 1:20)
To the shepherds (Luke 2:10)
Rachel and Brooksyne both enjoy candles. In fact I tease Brooksyne that I wonder if she is addicted to them! (However I suppose if you are going to be addicted to anything, this would be a safe addiction!) We spoke of going up together to see the Yankee Candle flagship store in South Deerfield, Massachusetts where we have been several times when we lived in New England. For Candle Lovers, if you've not been there it's a neat place to go.
"Light" in Christmas carols
Yesterday we shared a short quiz regarding the theme of light which is common in Christmas carols and asked readers to see if they can identify the carol by just the phrase referring to light. Here's the quiz again.
1) Son of God, love's pure light
2) Yonder shines the infant light:
3) And to the earth it gave great light,
4) Light and life to all He brings,
5) But high from God's heaven a star's light did fall,
6) The everlasting Light;
7) Guide us to thy perfect light.
See below for the answers.
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
Click on the link to open and play.
(In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)
"The Light Of That City" Video The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. A great perspective on death and eternity!
"God Of The Ages" Video A wonderful song based on Scripture.
"Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" Video Today's classic Charles Wesley anthem goes well for several messages in this series. I really like this version with the acapella voices. Here's a beautiful instrumental version. Video
Last year Brooksyne directed our choir in the "Hope Has Hands"
Christmas musical. Our friend Mike Book stopped by to rehearse a
duet with Brooksyne they sang together titled, "The Lord Has Been Kind" Audio It's a song written as though Anna and Simeon are singing it!
Click on the link to open and play.
(In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)
"The Light Of That City" Video The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. A great perspective on death and eternity!
"God Of The Ages" Video A wonderful song based on Scripture.
"Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" Video Today's classic Charles Wesley anthem goes well for several messages in this series. I really like this version with the acapella voices. Here's a beautiful instrumental version. Video
Resources
for Christmas Celebrations
(We will leave these resources posted below our daily messages through Christmas)
Each year we share several online resources that we have used over the years and that may be a blessing to
families and
churches during this Christmas season. As we find additional material that we
believe will be a blessing we will add it to this list as well.
"In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services many years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling.
"When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune.
Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family:
John 1:1-18 pdf
"O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf
My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. This is the poem that Brooksyne read and wrote about in this message.
Christmas Knowledge Test
We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down).
"In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services many years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling.
"When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune.
Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family:
John 1:1-18 pdf
"O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf
My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. This is the poem that Brooksyne read and wrote about in this message.
Christmas Knowledge Test
We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down).
Are you Christmas shopping online?
Daily
Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com. Any orders
placed
to
Christian Book Distributers using this link
or any specific product link to
a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our
Daily
Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank
you for considering using these links when purchasing online through
CBD! Tip:
If you are regular CBD customer consider bookmarking this link and using it whenever you
shop. Looking for a very special Christmas gift for your parents?
Here's an idea! "The Best Gift You Can Ever Give Your Parents"
Looking for a very special Christmas gift for your children?
Here's an idea! "The Blessing"
Christmas carol quiz answers:
1) Silent Night
2) Angels from the Realms of Glory
3) The First Noel
4) Hark the Herald
5) I wonder as I wander
6) O Little Town of Bethlehem
7) We Three Kings
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Text only version for printing: To make a text only version for printing (without photos or any of the supplemental materials)
1) Open the basic text editor that comes with all computers (known as wordpad, textpad, etc.) You can also use a program like Word and select paste text only.
2) Select and copy the text from the portion of the message you want to print.
3) Paste into the text pad. (The photos won't show up but you will have a brief text description of the photo which you can delete or just ignore.)
4) Format if you desire (change font, increase or decrease size, etc.)
5) Print!
Text only version for printing: To make a text only version for printing (without photos or any of the supplemental materials)
1) Open the basic text editor that comes with all computers (known as wordpad, textpad, etc.) You can also use a program like Word and select paste text only.
2) Select and copy the text from the portion of the message you want to print.
3) Paste into the text pad. (The photos won't show up but you will have a brief text description of the photo which you can delete or just ignore.)
4) Format if you desire (change font, increase or decrease size, etc.)
5) Print!
Scripture
references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version.
© 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD
BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation,
New King James
Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the
King
James Version.
Personal
Mission Statement:
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ
I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord.
My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and
to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
Daily
Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com
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Copyright 2010
Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
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