OzThoughts Monday. 14th December 2009.

OzThoughts Monday. 14th December 2009.

Last night our Band and “Choir” were involved in an outdoor Christmas Carols night which is organized by a Rotary Club. Can you picture it? Picture a park right beside the ocean with waves breaking against the white sand. Some people are swimming while others relax on the beach. While it was still light surfers could be seen waiting to catch a wave on their boards. The temperature was about 25c/80f.

As night begins to take over from day, thousands of rainbow lorikeets (parrots) descend into the tall pine trees to roost for the night. Their screeching and call each other is quite load. Santa arrived by a Surf Rescue helicopter and is let down onto the beach on a rope as the helicopter hovers low. He comes to the stage and is joined by a troop of dancers who dance to our band playing “Jingle bells”.

The night is a mix of sacred and secular songs and, of course, the familiar carols. A Christmas message is brought by a local Pastor. The night ends with a fireworks display.

It was said there were about 20,000 people there, so is a wonderful opportunity for the Salvation Army to be seen and heard. It will be on the television news tomorrow night.

What a challenge Christmas is for us as Salvationists to carry the message of the Christ of Christmas to the people in our community. It is a challenge for us to be more than a pleasant sounding band or songsters and to share music with a message.

While that is a challenge for us as a group of musicians, there is also a challenge for us to share our personal belief in a Christian Christmas. It is easy for us to talk about the secular side of Christmas like parties and gifts and holidays but the challenge is to share the message of Christmas with workmates and other friends.

While we might see it as a challenge, what does God say about it? We should seek his guidance through prayer. The Holy Spirit will help prepare our communication with others. It is God’s work we are his servants.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I will have lots of conversations with people about Christmas. Show me the ones I ought to share with spiritually. Give me the message and the words to speak, if it be your will. Amen.

Luke 2:8-14 (The Message)
8-12 There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
13-14 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.


[Listen: Band: http://salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3174.mp3
or
Vocal solo (Soprano): http://salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3263.mp3 ]

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
Author: Adolphe Charles Adam

They came at Christmas

In white shirts and caps on a truck they came
And stopped our kids’ street cricket game
They played a Christmas song or two
And then they called for us to sing
So we kids sang to everyone’s delight
Of baby Jesus birth on a Silent Night

Another Christmas they came again
After mum had told us with heartfelt pain
That this Christmas there would be no toys
And we were the saddest of girls and boys.
Mum told us there were many like us
And that we would not make a fuss
But simply enjoy whatever we could.

They came this time without the band
But they brought to us a Christmas grand
They put bags and boxes on our kitchen table.
They said they knew we were not able
To have the Christmas we would like
Because dad’s workplace was on strike.
Now their love gifts meant without his pay
We could celebrate with joy on Christmas Day.

Another Christmas they came to our place
They came again without the band
And they carried no gifts in their hand
But they came on a mission of love
They with tears said from their God above
And we knew they could do no more
Than pray for our dear brother lost in war.

Again this Christmas throughout this land
The Salvos will come with song and band.
They will come to some with food and toys
And somehow share in many Christmas joys.
They come that they might with everyone share
The very essence of the Christmas season where
In Bethlehem’s stable God’s gift Jesus was born.
(Ray Reese - Christmas 2003)

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