Our Religious Symbols
There is something univerally built into the human race, like breathing, that compels us to express our inward feelings outwardly so that other people can see them at a glance. In every nation and every century this is true. The way we dress, the way we wear our hair, the cars we drive, the associations of people we join or shun, the flags we salute, and the uniforms we wear. Our music and art and pastime says a lot about who we are. It's part of being human. National holidays are important. God appointed holidays (holy days) for Israel because in God's sight they were important.
For several nations of the world, Christmas is an important time of the year. It is now tarnished and degraded from its original meaning like the human race is tarnished and degraded after being made in the image of God. Even so, we maintain some likenesses of God even in our fallen state. Christmas is like that. In recent years we have seen intense public struggle over Christmas trees and Holiday trees. What appeared at first to be a decision of little consequence, Target and Walmart stores and many others, decided it would be less offensive if they sold Holiday trees. Big mistake!
The Christmas tree issue was greatly underestimated. The executives were there to turn a buck for the stock holders and their own CEO paychecks. "Don't offend people. It's time to get rid of Christmas trees. People will be broadminded and buy holiday trees and give holiday gifts, and go to Grandmother's house for the holidays." This year I've seen Target ads for Christmas shopping at Target. Walmart got the message the very first year and pulled back. "Come on over to Walmart…we've got lots of Christmas gifts at Walmart!"
So, with all of America's corruption, we are not yet ready to give up Christmas—whatever that is. I'm sure that Grinch could not possibly steal the real Christmas which is about the Christ child in the manger who came to die on a cross to save sinners and who will one day rule the world from the throne of his father David in Jerusalem as the angel promised Mary and as God spoke to Joseph.
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end (Luke 1:30-33).
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:20-21).
For the next three weeks I would like to examine a few of the religious symbols of Christianity and Judaism. Someone has said: "the New Testament is in the Old contained, and the Old Testament is in the New explained." We'll begin today by including an untouched speech by President Obama before he pulled the switch to light the National Christmas Tree, a 40-foot Colorado Spruce, on December 3, 2009. This annual event began in 1923 and has continued every year by every president for 86 years. It continues as a national tradition. You can read the short speech printed below from the Los Angeles Times as provided to them by the White House, or follow the links to read the larger story from the Times or to watch the seven-minute video.
"In 1923, the Washington, D.C. Public Schools wrote a letter to the White House asking if they could put up a Christmas tree on the South Lawn. And First Lady Grace Coolidge said they could use the Ellipse. (Laughter.) And in the eight decades since -– in times of war and peace, hardship and joy –- Americans from every corner of this nation have gathered here to share in the holiday spirit.
Tonight, we celebrate a story that is as beautiful as it is simple. The story of a child born far from home to parents guided only by faith, but who would ultimately spread a message that has endured for more than 2,000 years -– that no matter who we are or where we are from, we are each called to love one another as brother and sister.
While this story may be a Christian one, its lesson is universal. It speaks to the hope we share as a people. And it represents a tradition that we celebrate as a country –- a tradition that has come to represent more than any one holiday or religion, but a season of brotherhood and generosity to our fellow citizens.
It's that spirit of unity that we must remember as we light the National Christmas Tree –- a tree that will shine its light far beyond our city and our shores to every American around the world. And that's why tonight our thoughts and prayers are with the men and women who will be spending this holiday far from home –- the mothers and fathers, the sons and daughters of our military who risk their lives every day to keep us safe. We will be thinking of you and praying for you during this holiday season.
And let's also remember our neighbors who are struggling here at home -– those who've lost a job or a home; a friend or a loved one -- because even though it's easy to focus on receiving at this time of year, it's often in the simple act of giving that we find the greatest happiness.
So on behalf of Michelle and Malia and Sasha and my mother-in-law, Mama Robinson -- I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. May you go out with joy, and be led forth in peace."
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/12/obama-national-christmas-tree-xmas-tree.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4uICocZ3sA&feature=player_embedded
Silent Night—Barbara Carr
Lord willing, we will publish three issues of the Encourager before Christmas. Christmas is a time for singing and praising our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The carols are so beautiful and we all grew up hearing and singing them. Today we have some beautiful Christmas songs that are not spiritual songs. We love Christmas carols played by Dino on the piano and Kenny G with his soprano saxophone. But we love best the old carols sung by choirs and carolers. We need to teach our children to love these carols because they teach about the birth of Jesus and all the glorious events at that time.
I am going to give a short account of how three of these carols came about. Silent Night is my favorite, so that is where I will begin.
The words to Silent Night were written December 24, 1818 by Joseph Mohr. Father Mohr lived in the Austrian Alps. He had planned a Christmas Eve program for the midnight service in the Church of St. Nicholas in Oberndorf near Salzburg. While he was going over the plans for the service, he discovered that the organ was broken. As he wondered and prayed about what he should do, these words came to his mind: "write a new song, a song that could be sung without the organ."
Father Mohr sat down and wrote Silent Night. He took the words to organist, Franz Gruber and explained about the organ and asked for his help. He wanted Franz to write a simple tune that could be sung with a guitar.
When Karl Mauracher came to repair the organ, they told him of the near disaster Christmas Eve. He asked for a copy of Silent Night and spread it through the Alpine region of Austria.
Silent Night was first published for congregational singing in 1838 in a German hymnbook. It was brought to America by German immigrants and was sung in their German speaking church services. Later it was translated to English in a book of Sunday school songs in 1863 in the middle of the American Civil War.
What Father Mohr considered to be a problem, turned into a great blessing that continues to this day. The song tells of a virgin giving birth to a son; it tells of the shepherds seeing the glory of Heaven and it tells of the Son of God. Father Mohr must have known the Old Testament scripture that reads:
"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14)
God can use anything or anyone to bring glory to Him. In this case He used a broken organ.
With the angels let us say/sing, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:14)
I have already begun preparing for Christmas—making & freezing breads, making candy and dragging out decorations. Which is a good thing, but the most important thing I can do is prepare my heart. I need to ask my Lord and Savior to cleanse my heart. My Sunday school teacher in Southern Pines has said, "If we had a movie screen at the front of the church and our thoughts could be projected onto that screen, how many of you would be willing for your thoughts to be projected there for all to see?" If we truly want a clean heart, it's confession time before the Lord.
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." (Psa 51:10)
Supplementing material for the above article was taken from Then Sings My Soul written by Robert J. Morgan.
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