Good morning,
Mary’s family has a Christmas tradition that goes back nearly 50 years. When the family gathers to celebrate Christmas they have a carol sing before any gifts are exchanged. Each member of the family, starting with the youngest and ending with oldest, gets to pick a song and the family sings the first verse of it.
Over the years the family has grown to include spouses and grandchildren, and who gets to pick the songs on any given year has changed (I think it’s the granddaughters’ year this year). By the time we are done we’ve sung just about every Christmas song you can think of! But one thing hasn’t changed. The last song we sing is always her father’s favorite song – O Little Town of Bethlehem.
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years, are met in thee tonight
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep, their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years, are met in thee tonight
The song has its origins, as many Christmas hymns do, in the Civil War Era. A young pastor named Philip Brooks was leading the Holy Trinity Church in Philadelphia during that time. As we can only imagine, it was a difficult time to be a pastor. Brooks ministered to scores of women who lost husbands or sons in the war.
The ending of the war in April of 1865 brought some relief to Pastor Brooks, but then, after President Lincoln was assassinated, Brooks was selected to lead the funeral service. Physically and spiritually worn out, Brooks took a sabbatical from ministry in the late fall and traveled to the Holy Lands for the holidays. On December 24, 1865, Brooks borrowed a horse and rode out into the Judean countryside to get away from the crowds in Jerusalem. By dusk he was approaching Bethlehem, and as he rode into the town he was overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of the little town where Jesus was born.
Returning to the pulpit with renewed energy and passion, Brooks tried without success (in his own eyes) to convey to the congregation what he felt that night in Bethlehem. It wasn’t until 3 years later that he composed a poem that became the lyrics to this cherished Christmas hymn. The organist at Holy Trinity, so moved by the poem, wrote the music so that it could be sung during the Christmas morning service. Within 6 years it was being sung by nearly every church in the city and just a few years later was published in a hymnal that was used by churches across the nation.
I have to admit, there are certainly times when I can relate to Pastor Brooks. The trials and tribulations of life can wear me down and leave me feeling spiritually worn out. If your calendar is anything like mine, it’s quite full over the next few weeks. I would encourage you to take some time to get some time alone and reflect on what Christmas means to you, and perhaps even jot down what you feel God is saying to you. Perhaps you won’t end up composing a famous song like Philip Brooks did, but you might find words that you can come back to again and again to encourage you in times of weariness.
Here’s what’s happening:
1. Senior High Youth meet tonight at 6:30 in the schoolhouse. Both groups meet on the 19th.
2. Our collection for Solanco Neighborhood Ministries SWEEP program ends this Sunday. Items we are collecting include:
Chicken Noodle Soup Tomato Soup Pudding Cups
Applesauce Cups Fruit Cups Juice Boxes
Chef Boyardee Micro Meals Pasta Sides (Mac & Cheese) Ramen Noodles
Cup of Noodles Oatmeal Individual Packs Pop Tarts
Granola Bars Fruit Snacks
Peanut Butter Cracker Individual Packs
3. Youth Group Christmas Party is on 12/15 from 6-8 pm at the church/schoolhouse. Youth should bring a snack to share and a small (and silly) gift for a gift exchange ($5-$10 max). As always, friends are welcome.
4. Christmas Caroling night is Friday, December 19 starting at 6:30 pm. Gathering location(s) will be announced soon.
5. There will not be Sunday School on 12/22 and again on 12/29 to give our teachers a holiday break.
6. We are in the process of switching over to a new church website. The new website is up and running! Same web address – www.andrewsbridge.com. We’ll have it fully updated soon.
7. Men’s Breakfast is on 12/28 at 8 am at Kreider’s Market.
We find many names for Jesus in the Bible. He called Lord, Savior, Messiah, King of Kings, the Good Shepherd, and the Lamb of God. On Sunday we will be looking at Luke 1:57-80. The priest Zechariah gives Jesus another name - the Horn of Our Salvation. What kind of horn is Zechariah talking about and what does that name mean for our lives today? Invite someone to join you at the Bridge…its going to be a great morning!
Scott
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