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Tuesday,
December
22,
2020
The blast furnaces at the former Bethlehem Steel
Mill, Bethlehem, PA
The huge mill closed about 25 years ago. Rather
than demolishing the blast furnaces they re-purposed the
area as an historical and entertainment district called
Steel Stacks.
(Click on photo to enlarge)
"Hush
The Noise And Hear The Angels Sing"
Message summary: All over the earth today many are receiving Jesus, the King of kings. Have you?
Listen
to this message on your audio player."Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests" (Luke 2:14). "He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:11,12).
Sunday morning we sang a selection of traditional Christmas songs in our church. Although we appreciate contemporary music and like most churches these days that's the main musical focus of the church we attend. But we also enjoy the traditional hymns, especially at Christmas.
Several
years ago Brooksyne and I talked to an individual
who attends one of our area's super "cool" churches
and he said that they purposely don't sing
traditional Easter or Christmas hymns. That really
puzzled us so we questioned why! He told us the
church leadership feels that the old and traditional
will turn off "seekers", and that new and
contemporary will compel them to attend. Of course,
this thinking is not uncommon.
Thankfully, in our church we continue to sing the classic Christmas hymns sung for generations; the same songs sung in many churches, from house to house, on the streets, in nursing homes, mission stations, in cantatas and concerts from all over the world (excepting the covid surge that has cancelled many Christmas plans in 2020).
Thankfully, in our church we continue to sing the classic Christmas hymns sung for generations; the same songs sung in many churches, from house to house, on the streets, in nursing homes, mission stations, in cantatas and concerts from all over the world (excepting the covid surge that has cancelled many Christmas plans in 2020).
This
last Sunday we sang "It Came Upon the Midnight
Clear", a song written as a
poem by Edmund Sears in 1849 and set to music the
following year. One account says the carol was first
performed by parishioners gathered in Sears' home on
Christmas Eve. It has long been assumed to be Sears'
response to the just ended Mexican–American War.
As we sang and the words were projected to the screen a verse seemed to pop out at both of us simultaneously, as we turned and looked at each other. It was speaking to us regarding the times in which we presently live over 170 years later. We don't recall paying much attention to this verse before, possibly because it is no longer included in modern hymnals. Sometimes we can also miss things due to familiarity and at other times the events of life prompt a special consideration such as the following stanza. Read it slowly and consider its timely message:
As we sang and the words were projected to the screen a verse seemed to pop out at both of us simultaneously, as we turned and looked at each other. It was speaking to us regarding the times in which we presently live over 170 years later. We don't recall paying much attention to this verse before, possibly because it is no longer included in modern hymnals. Sometimes we can also miss things due to familiarity and at other times the events of life prompt a special consideration such as the following stanza. Read it slowly and consider its timely message:
Yet
with the woes of sin and strife the world has
suffered long;
Beneath the angel-strain have rolled two thousand years of wrong;
And man, at war with man, hears not the love-song which they bring;
O hush the noise, ye men of strife, and hear the angels sing.
Beneath the angel-strain have rolled two thousand years of wrong;
And man, at war with man, hears not the love-song which they bring;
O hush the noise, ye men of strife, and hear the angels sing.
"And
man, at war with man," Nothing new here, in
one way or another man has always been at war with
man. Nation against nation, civil strife within a
nation, and of course even in our homes and churches
there may be strife.
"hears not the love-song which they bring." O that the people of earth would hear the love song from the angels. It's clearly heard if we would listen and recall their words that were spoken for "all the people".
"O hush the noise, ye men of strife, and hear the angels sing." Our prayer is that men and women all around the world would "hush the noise" or "Bab-el sounds" (in v.2 of song) so that we can hear, comprehend, and receive the angel's timeless message, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests."
Another very familiar Isaac Watts hymn, "Joy to the World" invites the listener to "let earth receive her King”, which is the proper response to the apostle John's invitation: "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).
The children of God are those of any generation, of any nation, of any race, of any economic level, powerful or powerless, who have received the King, who have believed in His Name. And all over the earth today many are receiving the King of kings. Brooksyne and I chose to receive Him in our teen years, over 50 years ago. Have you chosen to receive Him? If so, "Let all within us praise His holy name. Christ is the Lord! We will praise His name forever! His power and glory for-ev-er-more we will proclaim!"
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, there is nothing we can do in
our own power or position to receive Your favor. The
world is full of books, intellects, media "experts",
and even religious scholars that offer the public
temporary solutions or incomprehensible babble that
leads us even farther from the truth of Scripture.
And yet o'er the "ba-bel sounds" the blessed angels'
message came through loud and clear, "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." We thank You for sending Your
angelic messengers who pointed the shepherds in the
right direction to receive Christ as King. And today
where all meek souls still receive Him, the dear
Christ enters in, for which we are eternally
grateful. Amen.
Special Year-end
Financial Appeal
We want to
thank all who have financially supported our
ministry this past year (and some for many
years!). We realize there are many fine
ministries and causes requesting support at this
time but if the Lord would lead you we surely need
and appreciate the financial support from our
readers and listeners. Like many ministries,
we typically see a spike in giving at the end of
the year for which we are most thankful.
Our ministry labor is comprised of approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies for which we receive compensation. Each of these ministries essentially is the same as a part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for each of us. Our goal for many years is that each would provide half of our ministry expenses and income.
If you would consider making a donation to our ministry see here for more information.
To
donate directly online click here.
This will open to a page that designates the
offering to: WEBER,STEPHEN CHAP, Specialized
Chaplaincy Ministry ID: 700001-237376
Our ministry labor is comprised of approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies for which we receive compensation. Each of these ministries essentially is the same as a part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for each of us. Our goal for many years is that each would provide half of our ministry expenses and income.
If you would consider making a donation to our ministry see here for more information.
To
donate directly online click here.
This will open to a page that designates the
offering to: WEBER,STEPHEN CHAP, Specialized
Chaplaincy Ministry ID: 700001-237376
Please Note: We
also provide this easy option due to the
convenience, for international supporters, and
for those who may not be concerned regarding
receiving an official tax deductible receipt. Click here to
send an offering using PayPal. This
will open to a page that states "Brooksyne
Weber"Thank you,
Stephen & Brooksyne
Today
we will share some more photos from our trip
to Bethlehem, PA on Sunday.
Candles
in all the windows, Bethlehem, PA
(Click on photo to enlarge)
(Click on photo to enlarge)
They
are serious about candles in the windows as we
saw in the wiring and the permanent built-in
candle stands!
We
enjoyed the historic doors
Signs
of the times!
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"It
Came Upon the Midnight Clear" Video
Calvary Church includes an introduction
from our worship leader, Dave Ross.
Steel Stacks in
Bethlehem, PA
An
additional thought: Edmund Sears,
although best known for the Christmas hymn
we wrote about today took a strong stand
for right in his generation. After the
Fugitive Slave Law was passed, he declared
from his pulpit that "when the human and
the Divine law are in conflict it is the
duty of all to obey the latter." That
sound like Acts 5:29!
On
Sunday, June 16, 1856, Rev. Sears
delivered a sermon entitled "Discourse"
which not only condemned chattel slavery
as evil, but also the slaveholders whom he
called the "slave power." The sermon was
deemed to be such a strong argument
against slavery that it was published and
circulated as a pamphlet by Massachusetts
Abolitionists. "When wrong has become so
organized as to make the state its
permanent body," said Rev. Sears, then the
state's functions and the men holding
offices do the bidding of wrong and of
evil. Rev. Sears continued, "... humanity
dies out of it [the state], and demonism
becomes its life and soul."
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 you, your family
or church during this Christmas
season.
"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 over the 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. Here's a great Communion Hymn for Christmas (Video)
"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 page was first posted in 2005 soon after my Mom passed away.
Christmas Knowledge Test
"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 over the 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. Here's a great Communion Hymn for Christmas (Video)
"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 page was first posted in 2005 soon after my Mom passed away.
Christmas Knowledge Test
Finally today:
Bethlehem,
PA Christmas tree
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a message to Stephen
& Brooksyne
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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 make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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 make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
© Copyright 2020 Stephen C. & Brooksyne
Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA