Christmas Reflections

Well another Christmas season has come and gone and soon the New Year will be upon us. However, still have some thoughts about Christmas. This season has brought this writer a lot of searching into the roots of Christmas and prayer over the appropriateness of celebrating Christmas. The reflection started with a reminder of the pagan roots to Christmas as well as the purposeful change from any connection from Judaism due to antiemetic mindset of Constatine.

Christmas and Easter were designated as an attempt to reach culture with The Gospel and the celebration of Jesus Birth and Resurrection were selected on days set aside already for pagan deities such as Mithras. It was a clear changing of times and seasons that are part and parcel to antichrist. Yet, for many believers in the Gospel today, it is the prime day that the birth of our Messiah, Yeshua is commemorated.

Today Christmas is either largely secular with focus on gifts, materialism, and family or it is about Jesus. From the secular perspective, it is where the essential elements of the culture are celebrated and even a key component to the health of our economic system. As the Christmas holiday consumerism goes, so goes the economic health of the United States. Most people in the United States are generally aware that Christmas is supposed to be about Jesus and his birth. Yet, even so they fail to fully grasp the depth of the Gospel. In fact, ultimately many false views of Jesus get wrapped up and celebrated on Christmas day. Christmas for many is blended as is the culture of the United States of America with a majority of Americans failing to truly grasp the essential components of the Gospel, that Jesus in the only way to True Peace by having our sin and selfishness redeemed, if we accept the gift and turn away from self.

Some people are aware of the pagan roots and see the day and the symbols as really being a way folks give own to the demonic pagan deities at the root. Yet, God is in full control and there is no day which darkness has the true authority over and there is no symbol which darkness owns. God can and does redeem all. God is in control. For this writer, Christmas is about God’s redemptive work. No while Christmas was established by man, God does direct us to remember and commemorate His moves and actions. Christmas is a time for commemorating God’s redemptive work through given us the Messiah Yeshua who by his taking on sin we can be redeem and all darkness is and will be defeated. So this writer will continue to celebrate Christmas, with full recognition of roots, for it is a day that celebrates redemption. Yes, it was set up by man, it has pagan roots, but it is a day that Honors God if the heart of the person is worshipping and honoring God. So for each person, what do these holidays mean to you? Are you caught up in cultural Christmas, do you blend celebrating Jesus and the cultural celebration? What is this time of year about?

The Carol of the Bells: A personal meaning and reflection for this Christmas Season

      My wife is a pianist and during the Christmas season she tries to pick a meaningful piano piece to be played during a church service during this holiday season. This season she was drawn to Carol of the Bells.  It is a joyous and pleasing musical piece, but personally not much was known about this piece of music other then it was beautifully performed by Manhiem Steamroller. 

      So exploring the origins, roots, and lyrics of this carol is very interesting.  It has an orgin that is not rooted in the Nativity or Christianity initially. It was based on a tune from an Ukrainian folks song meant for well wishing and ushering in the spring. The original lyrics had a sparrow flying and proclaiming wealth to come and was known primarily as a New Year’s carol.  The lyrics are as follows:

Shchedryk, shchedryk, a shchedrivka [New Year's carol];
A little swallow flew [into the household]
and started to twitter,
to summon the master:
“Come out, come out, O master [of the household],
look at the sheep pen,
there the ewes are nestling
and the lambkin have been born
Your goods [belongings] are great,
you will have a lot of money, [by selling them]
if not money, then chaff: [from all the grain you will harvest]
you have a dark-eyebrowed wife.”
Shchedryk, shchedryk, a shchedrivka,
A little swallow flew.

       In 1936, Peter Wilhousky composed the lyrics now primarily associated with the tune because the sound reminded him of bells.   The lyrics are as follows:

Hark! How the bells, sweet silver bells,
all seem to say, throw cares away
Christmas is here, bringing good cheer,
to young and old, meek and the bold,
Oh how they pound, raising the sound,
o’er hill and dale, telling their tale,
Gaily they ring, while people sing
songs of good cheer, Christmas is here,
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas,
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas,
On on they send, on without end,
their joyful tone to every home
Dong Ding dong ding, dong Bong

The carol had alternate Nativity and Christian based lyrics written in 1947 by Minna Louise Hohman. However, the specific inspiration for the lyrics other then the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is not documented or easily located.   The lyrics are as follows:

Ring, Christmas Bells, Merrily ring,
Tell all the world: Jesus is King!
Loudly proclaim with one accord,
The happy tale; Welcome the Lord
Ring, Christmas Bells, Sound far and near,
The birth day of Jesus is here.
Herald the news To old and young,
Tell it to all, In ev’ry tongue.
Ring, Christmas Bells, Toll loud and long,
Your message sweet, Peel and prolong.
Come, all ye people, Join in the singing,
Repeat the story, Told by the ringing,
` Ring, Christmas bells, Throughout the earth
Tell the glad news, Of Jesus birth.
Loudly proclaim With one accord,
The happy tale; Welcome the Lord. (Repeat from Beginning)

Second Ending:

Ring Christmas bells, Merrily ring.
Tell all the world: Jesus is King.

There also exists a fourth set of lyrics, again Nativity and Christian based written in 1972 by an anonymous author. The lyrics are as follows:

Hark! to the bells. Hark! to the bells,
Telling us all Jesus is King!
Strongly they chime, sound with a rhyme.
Christmas is here! Welcome the King.
Hark to the bells, Hark to the bells.
This is the day, day of the King.
Peal out the news o’er hill and dale
And round the town telling the tale.
Hark! to the bells. Hark! to the bells,
Telling us all Jesus is King.
Come, one and all, happily sing.
Songs of good will, O let them sing!
Ring….silv’ry bells.
Sing…..joyous bells!
Strongly they chime, sound with a rhyme
Christmas is here, welcome the King!
Hark! to the bells. Hark! to the bells,
Telling us all, Jesus is King!
Ring! Ring….Bells.

 So in examining the history of this carol, it clearly has as background that is similar to that of the celebration of Christmas.  It starts with non-christian roots, becomes a western anthem celebrating the coming of Christmas, but with secular lyrics that do not point to Jesus, and finally to lyrics that both proclaim and celebrate the birth of Jesus and His coming as King.  So in looking at the history, it is a story of a redeemed song for those who attend to the true Gospel.  For those whose heart is tuned elsewhere, it draws other meaning.  The two versions of lyrics celebrating the birth and the kinghood of Jesus fits perfectly with Jesus first and second coming.  He first came as servant for the purpose of salvation and when he returns, he returns to restore as King.  Both worthy of celebration. 

       One final note of reflection is what are the function of bells generally in a culture.  Bells are usually rung  in most societies as a preciptant to news or a call to action including war.  I find this tune and the cutural function of bells to be appropriate to this carol, which in my mind is about celebrating the blessings that come from Jesus, but in His sacrifice which allows for redemption and in his second coming which will bring ultimate peace and restoration. 

     So given those thoughts, Carol of the Bells has taken on new significance for me. It is no longer just a piece of pleasant, celebratory music played at Christmas time. The song for me points toward what Jesus has done and will do.  It is a reminder that God is good, and worthy to be praised.  God through Jesus has given us a path to true peace and an answer to our selfishness. It is cause for joyous celebration.   So in closing, take a listen to one arrangement of the tune here: Carol of the Bells.

Chanukah/Hanukkah: The Feast of Dedication

Today starts the eight day celebration known as Chanukah/Hanukkah, which is also known as the Feast of Dedication. Most Christians have no idea about the importance or meaning of Chanukah, it is simply the Jewish holiday that lasts eight days, has the toy known as a dreidel as part of the celebration. Some perhaps may understand that the festival in a commemoration of God’s allowing a one day supply of olive oil to last eight days leading up to a victory by the Maccabees and the subsequent temple re-dedication. The temple needed re-dedication after Antiochus IV Epiphanes erected an altar to Zeus and sacrificed a pig in the temple. The festival celebrates God standing up and providing when a group was standing against forces aligning toward compromise with the pagan culture.

In learning more about this holiday, apparently there are ties with Mary conceiving Yeshua during Chanukah, which draws even more meaning to Yeshua being the light of the world. It is also when Yeshua posed the question to his disciples “Who do you say that I am?” So it was clearly a day when Jesus made sure it was fully known to his disciples, that he was in fact Messiah. Yeshua is also on record as declaring himself as Messiah in the temple during the feast of Dedication in John 10:22-40. So clearly, as believers in Yeshua as messiah, Chanukah is significant. Yet, for many of us it is not understood or even appreciated and simply seen as the “Jewish” alternative to Christmas.

Certainly it is worth further study by any Christian to gain better understanding of the provision of God. God clearly will provide as needed when a stand for truth is taken. Yet, not only his provision of when standing for truth, but also the time when Yeshua chose to declare himself as Messiah, both to his disciples and before the temple. Unfortunately, these facts are lost on most of the followers of Messiah because we have lost much over time. So as you take time to think about this Holiday season, take time to learn more about Chanukah and the significance it played in the life of Yeshua. It is only through Yeshua and God’s provision of His sacrifice that cleanses us from the defilement of our selfishness, sin, and compromise. It is only through Yeshua that any light of truth is found amidst the darkness. So, with those thoughts, I wish everyone a Happy Chanukah, for it is the time which Yeshua was conceived and made himself known as Messiah!

Trading on power and influence: The Petters, Madoff and Tri Energy Ponzi schemes

Well as it turns out Thomas Petters is no longer the operator of the world’s largest and most extensive Ponzi scheme. Bernard Madoff is now the proud holder of that title. He bilked billions in his scheme which operated largely on reputation and word of mouth. He used is reputation and influence to convince others that he could help them reach great profit. However, neither the Petters or the Madoff Ponzi schemes were the only ones trading on power and influence, they just were far more successful. A Ponzi scheme run by Tri Energy owners Robert Jennings and Arthur Simburg also used power and influence to con people out of money. The power and influence traded on was that of Robert Jennings position as pastor of New Life Community church. Each of the schemes utilized essentially the same techniques and the same factors came into play in each case.

The starting point of the cons is that of using their position and influence to gain favor with others. Their position and reputations allowed them to engage in subtle persuasion that drew others into their web of deceit. Once a reputation is earned or once a person has a position of power or influence within a community, they are in position to sway others. Of course, nothing sways others more than the appearance of success. Mr. Petters, Mr. Madoff, and the Tri Energy owners certainly showed themselves to be successful and used that success to build their position and influence even more. Mr. Petters and Mr. Madoff did so by heavily contributing to a variety of charitable organizations. Mr. Jennings and Mr. Simburg on the other hand just used appearance of beneficial spiritual meetings and spoke of humanitarian aid. The better they looked to others, the more likely they would be able to gain funds.

It was the positions of power and influence that often led toward others ignoring red flags. These men were in the position they were in for a reason, and they apparently were just better skilled then countless others, at least to those taken in by these deceivers. In each case, there were plenty of red flags if people just paid attention and used discernment. The main reason for it is they placed trust on these men, in part due to their position and reputation. Each deceiver certainly went to great pains to foster that trust and have people set aside any use of critical thinking. Then if you add in the appearance of being able to be part of an exclusive set that will be able to cash in on these men with the “great” skills at investing and turning profit. In fact a key component of many cons, and certainly one used by these individuals is the appearance of exclusivity and being part of a “special” group which will help you profit and get whatever you desire.

Ultimately, these schemes fail for one reason or another, but usually not due to those being conned waking up to the deception, rather the schemes can only go so far before they collapse or someone has a change of heart and exposes the fraud. One thing these schemes show is that no one is immune from deception. We all are easily deceived and can place our trust in people and things that will ultimately fail. We each need to attend to the warning signs that exist. We need not turn to any man and their influence and power and trust them to meet our desires. When we focus on building what we want, and depend on those other important people, the end result is destruction and chaos.

The Gospel offers another way. A way not focused on building for self, but one of surrendering self. It is taking our wants, needs, and desires and surrendering them to the King of Kings. However, the surrender does not just happen once, but ongoing, as desires to move and build for self arise, turning them over to the King of Kings. There is an ever ongoing process, for while the gift of salvation that comes from Jesus death on the cross offers redemption, the process is a daily battle of surrender and renewing faith. We can often turn to faith in deceivers, we all do, but through Jesus there is always restoration. Suffering comes, sometimes at the hands of trusting deceivers, but when you move beyond self to trust in Jesus, the suffering is recognized as temporary, no matter how it comes. Yet, we all can be still easily deceived. There are many promises out there, even promises of doing perceived good. Those that will fall away, will do so biting big deceptions and ignoring the warning signs, and get hooked by the bait offered by those in important positions. We all need to be wary and ever watchful and daily take our own desires and motives and surrender them to the King of Kings.

At the Cross by Michael J. Boss

Recently been in touch with an old friend and he made me aware of a video he had uploaded to www.youtube.com. It is a simple and powerful song that I hope you will be blessed by viewing. It also points to a powerful testimony of a young lady who was suicidal and turned to surrender to Jesus. The song definitely points to the True Peace only found in Jesus.

 

He also has an itune or rhapsody downloadable tune  that is amusing for both adult and children.

Fun Song For Kids and Adults – The 12 Dismays Of Christmas

You can download this song on Itunes or Rhapsody.

Here’s the link to Itunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=280183244&id=280183186&s=143441

Current Struggles: Ongoing warfare

Just need to post a quick update on things. Today is hard day for step mother with fever and diarrhea.  I have picked up an influenza with chest congestion.  It is bitter cold out, this morning on her way out to work, my wife slipped and injured her hand and left side. She has some swelling but believes nothing was fractured.  On the good side, my brother got news of court date for the finalization in the United States of the adoption of his son, Anant.  I recognize it is very hard, even in times of minor suffering to rejoice. I know I am struggling to rejoice. I find it hard to do the basic things I need to do.  It is easy to develop a mindset of the enemy is attacking and hunker down and withdrawal. This has been a long pattern. Yet, this is not what God calls us to do.  He calls us to resist the Devil.  Resistance isn’t withdrawal. When the enemy attacks we need to stand sure and strong.  We need to instead of dropping back, find ways God seeks to move forward.  Pray for quick health for me, pray for the swelling in my wife’s hand to go down and that she will be able to play her special music next weekendor on Christmas Eve.  Two keys when under felt attack are clearly rejoice and resist.  It is easier said then done.  It is easy to complain and withdraw.  And the face is, each of these sufferings are but momentary. They are hear for a time and then gone.  Yet, God’s love endures forever!

News Commentary: Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich arrested for corruption including sale of Senate seat.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Federal authorities arrested Rod Blagojevich and his aide John Harris for .  They apparently have charged them both with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and solicitation of bribery.  Even in a state such as Illinois with a long history of political corruption including the voting of the dead, this is a low day.  The federal authorities have a 78 page affidavit of evidence with lots of direct quotes based on evidence from wire tapping.

    When I read of this news, what comes to mind is here we have a foolish man.  He had a attained a position of influence, a position of power and what did allegedly do with it? Use it for his own gain by selling government contracts, state jobs, regulatory favors, and definitely sought gain from the pending open Senate seat.  Such actions fit the Biblical definitions of foolishness.  The book of Proverbs is filled with comparisons of the righteous and the foolish and wicked and paints the picture that the latter follows a path to destruction, the former a path to  reward and blessing.   Here we have a man who allegedly engaged in foolish actions to enrich himself at the expense of those he was seeking to serve. 

      And reading this, it is real easy to pontificate and judge what is clearly wrong. The obvious and blatant corruption and foolishness bring anger, wrath, judgement and triggers self-righteousness and pride.   Yet, in some ways each of us are similar. Each of us at some level have made choices for are own benefit and regardless of cost or consequence.  We all falter.  It is the obvious and apparent corruption and foolishness but it is the secret, hidden, and unexposed that  are even more dangerous. Yet, even all that is not exposed, will sooner or later be brought to into this come, either now or at judgement day.  But you know what, there is good news! No matter what anyone has done, God has grace.  The righteousness of God can become our own through the grace of the Cross and the sacrifice of Jesus.  Jesus took our sin so that we take on His righteousness.  The worst most vile evil is covered through Jesus by acceptance and a turning from self, it truly is that simple. So will you continue to walk the path of foolish, seeking after crooked gain, walking a path leading to destruction, or will you turn around and walk a different way?  The offer is always there, it is what we choose the path of wisdom or the path of the fool. The difference is clear as protrayed in Proverbs 9.   Please take time to think on this, the other option is to ignore it and pontificate on the evil corruption of fools.

 

Proverbs 9 (NIV) :

1 Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. 2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. 3 She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city. 4 ”Let all who are simple come in here!” she says to those who lack judgment. 5 ”Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. 6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding. 7 ”Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. 8 Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you. 9 Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. 10 ”The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11 For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. 12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.”

13 The woman Folly is loud; she is undisciplined and without knowledge. 14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, 15 calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way. 16 ”Let all who are simple come in here!” she says to those who lack judgment. 17 ”Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!” 18 But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave.

News commentary: Annointing Oil and Prayer over American Automobile Industry?

Recently took a stop by www.endtimespropheticwords.wordpress.com and learned of a news article describing an event at a local Detroit church. The article is Titled, “SUVs at altar, Detroit church prays for a bailout.” After reading the article provokes sadness and incredulity.  In reading of the event there are two areas worth commenting on.

     The first area to comment about is that the event  seems to be a turning to God and begging for help in times of trouble approach. Economic times are tough, and the American automotive industry is in peril.  Yet, in the plea for help, there is no turning to God in repentance. There is no self-examination of sin. There is only begging God.   There is a recognition of failed self-effort but it becomes  ”so lets turn to God to get what I want since I cannot.” This is demonstrated in this quote from General Holiefield, “We have done all we can do in this union, so I’m going to turn it over to the Lord.”   So apparently the idea is to turn to God to ask for help with what you want from the American government because of an inability to accomplish in own effort.  God is not about granting prayer because we cannot expand or fix things by own effort.  God blesses and helps to bring Glory to His Kingdom, not our own.

Another concern is that these people while exhibiting some hope, are placing hope in the wrong place.  The hope expressed is that God will change the hearts and minds of members of Congress.  Reverend Charles Ellis stated “It’s all about hope. You can’t dictate how people will think, how they will respond, how they will vote. But you can look to God. We believe he can change the minds and hearts of men and women in power, and that’s what we tried to do today.”  When God changes the minds and hearts of people, it is to change their heart and mind toward Him.   Biblically it is clear that when a nation is in times of struggle, that people of God need to do two things, humble themselves and pray  (2 Chronicles 7: 13-14).  Now, Reverend Ellis states “I pray in good times and in bad times, but I pray these days because it’s something that directly affects our lives. Politicians forgot autoworkers for ages. You can’t just forget them. We’re also part of the country.” And I ask, where is the humility in the statement?  Where is the surrender to the King of Kings. The appearance here is one of missing the humility part.  The asking is apparent but James 4:3 is relevant: “When you ask, you do not receive,because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” 

     The thing that really cause head shaking, is that when Congress sees fit to put together a package to assist the automotive industry, this prayer session and anointing SUV’s with oil will seem pivotal.  God though is more interested in what is going on with each individual and desire a turning for our own self-seeking and a turning to Him in humility and surrender, not in demands for him to fix what we broke.

Introducing: The Peacebringer Forum

I decided that it was time for me to start a message board forum.   The message board is at www.peacebringer.net/phpBB3

I hope readers will come and partake in discussion at the forum.  The forum include a place for questions about God and for people to seek advice on emotions, relationships, and spiritual issues without registering for the forum. 

Currently the forum is brand new without much content.  I will probably eventually include an area of links that hi-light hot forum conversations once the forum becomes active.  At any rate, please feel free to drop on by.

Step-mother update: Discharged from hospital

Well, yesterday Janie discharged from the hospital.  She had received news that the results of the bone scan were there was no evidence of bone cancer.  Her physician indicated that the course of treatment is 3 weeks of intense chemotherapy to be followed by a daily pill.  She was told by doctors that the prognosis is she has 2-10 years of life left.  We know ultimately that God is in control. None of us know how much time we have left on this earth.  Jesus return even can be soon. Jesus may return in that 2-10 years.  God can heal Janie to point of there being no need of the daily pill.  God’s plan in this will be made clear.  The enemy is already defeated regardless of any results.  So continue to pray for Janie as God leads.  Feel free to drop comments if God directs you to share anything even regarding your own struggles.