O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM

Yesterday and today I've spent considerable time trying to remove the snow from our sidewalks and driveway. I can't say that I enjoy doing that, but I have been struck by the fact that it is so still and quiet outside with the snow falling. Traffic is almost nonexistent. People are inside. And the snow falls so quietly. I guess we just aren't used to stillness and quietness anymore. But as I was working. the words of this week's hymn choice kept going through my mind, especially the first verse, "O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! … " It must have been a still, quiet night when Jesus was born. And the silence was broken by the angel choir. This thought was part of what led Philip Brooks to write this special carol. He was an Episcopal Priest, and he first thought about this song while he was on a journey to the Holy Land in 1865. On Christmas Eve, while he was heading to Jerusalem from Bethlehem, he stopped at an open field, to watch the dusk envelop the town. And after that, he attended a five hour church service at the Church of Nativity. And for three long years, he kept his memories to himself. Then he was motivated to share his memories with a church gathering. And what he did was write a five stanza poem, and give it to the church organist, Lewis Redner, who gave the poem its musical background. And this song was heard for the first time on December 27, 1868. Four of the more familiar verses are shared below.

(1) 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.

(2) 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 the holy birth,

And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth!

(3) How silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift is giv'n;

So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His Heav'n.

No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.

(4) O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;

Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;

O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!

Listen to it here. LISTEN

HE BECAME POOR

Each year at Christmas, once this week's choice gets into my mind, I sing it over and over again. Its words continually minister to my heart. It is amazing to me that the God who has created and controls this vast universe would allow His Son to leave all the glory and riches of heaven to become poor and come to this earth, for me. We are living in very difficult times and while most of us are so blest, there are so many folks who are struggling because they have so little. Some have become poor because they've lost their jobs and their homes. It's not been their choice. There are homeless folks all around us. But none of us would ever willingly trade what we have for their situations. We would never choose to be poor. But that is exactly what Christ did for us. He came to be born in a lowly manger, then to be rebuked and finally crucified. When I chose this hymn for this week I became frustrated because I can only find the words of one verse. Damaris Carbaugh does a stirring arrangement of this, but she just sings one verse in English and one in Spanish. The song has a 1958 copyright by the Lillenas Publishing Company, so the rest of the words must exist somewhere. Maybe you can locate them for me. Both the words and the music were written by Byron Carmony, a pastor for 40 years. And that is about all that I can find. However, the words of this one verse are so powerful and stirring that I still had to post them. Meditate on them with hearts full of gratitude and amazement as you prepare for this Christmas season.

They borrowed a manger of hay for His bed; Jesus my Savior;

No soft, downy pillow, no warm cradle spread for Jesus, my Lord.

CHORUS:

His were the planets and stars in the sky;

His were the valleys and mountains so high;

His, all earth's riches from pole unto pole;

But He became poor to ransom my soul.

(Spanish verse)

En rudo y prestado pesebre nació, Cristo, mi Cristo;

Ni cama ni almohada su cuerpo gozó, Jesús, mi Señor.

Dueño era El de las pléyades mil,

Suyos los valles, y montes sin fin,

Ricos tesoros El puede contar,

Mas pobre vivió, mi ser por salvar.

© 1958 by Lillenas Publishing Co. All rights reserved.

HE BECAME POOR ... CONTINUED

Thanks to my cousin, Karen, we now have the other verses of the hymn "He Became Poor". Here they are.

They borrowed a colt--lowly beast for a King, Jesus, my Saviour

No court gave Him honor, no carillons ring for Jesus, my Lord.

His were the planets and stars in the sky;

His were the valleys and mountains so high;

His, all earth's riches from pole unto pole,

But He became poor to ransom my soul.

He borrowed a room for the Passover Feast, Jesus my Saviour;

Becoming both Servant and Heavenly Priest, this Jesus, my Lord.

His were the planets and stars in the sky;

His were the valleys and mountains so high;

His, all earth's riches from pole unto pole,

But He became poor to ransom my soul.

They borrowed a tomb for the Crucified One, Jesus, my Saviour

No monument royal for God's only Son for Jesus, my Lord.

His were the planets and stars in the sky;

His were the valleys and mountains so high;

His, all earth's riches from pole unto pole,

But He became poor to ransom my soul.

WONDERFUL NAME HE BEARS

I've mentioned here before how much I love the beautiful music that is played overnight on Fridays and Saturdays by our local Christian radio station. Often I wake early in the morning and meditate on the words of this special music. But there is one problem. Early Saturday morning the music is interrupted by a 30 minute program that I really don't care for. Much of it is very dull preaching, often by a monotone speaker who is obviously reading his message. But before the speaker they often have a quartet sing an old hymn, usually one that I haven't heard in many years. Sometimes it is one that I used to sing, years ago, with The Gospel Four quartet. Yesterday that happened and they sang my choice for this week. I found myself singing along even though I haven't heard the words for years. I decided to get up and I went to my computer to find the words before I forgot them. After much searching, I was successful in finding the words. But I couldn't find anything about the background of the hymn, except for some information about the writer, Alfred H. Ackley, 1887-1960. He was born in Pennsylvania and showed great promise as a child. His musician-father personally tutored him before sending him to New York City to study music. From there, it was on to the Royal Academy of Music in London. Alfred then returned to the States to attend Westminster Seminary in Maryland, and he was ordained into the Presbyterian ministry in 1914. After pastoring a church in his home state of Pennsylvania, Alfred was called to a congregation in California where he wrote his most famous hymn, "He Lives". But all I could find about this particular hymn is that it was copyrighted in 1938 by The Rodehaver Company. And I also can't even find any sources where you can go to listen to it. (Come and see me and I'll try to sing it for you.) But, hopefully, the words will still minister to you. It shares important things about the life of Christ, and then, like most old hymns, it ends with a stirring verse about the future. And that is my favorite verse of this hymn.

Wonderful birth, to a manger he came,

Made in the likeness of man, to proclaim

God's boundless love for a world sick with sin,

Pleading for sinners to let him come in.

Wonderful name he bears,

Wonderful crown he wears,

Wonderful blessings his triumphs afford;

Wonderful Calvary,

Wonderful grace for me,

Wonderful love of my wonderful Lord.

Wonderful life, full of service so free,

Friend to the poor and the needy was he;

Unfailing goodness on all he bestowed,

Undying faith in the vilest he showed.

Wonderful name he bears,

Wonderful crown he wears,

Wonderful blessings his triumphs afford;

Wonderful Calvary,

Wonderful grace for me,

Wonderful love of my wonderful Lord.

Wonderful death, for it meant not defeat,

Calvary made his great mission complete,

Wrought our redemption, and when he arose,

Banished for ever the last of our foes.

Wonderful name he bears,

Wonderful crown he wears,

Wonderful blessings his triumphs afford;

Wonderful Calvary,

Wonderful grace for me,

Wonderful love of my wonderful Lord.

Wonderful hope, he is coming again,

Coming as king o'er the nations to reign;

Glorious promise, his word cannot fail,

His righteous kingdom at last must prevail!

Wonderful name he bears,

Wonderful crown he wears,

Wonderful blessings his triumphs afford;

Wonderful Calvary,

Wonderful grace for me,

Wonderful love of my wonderful Lord.

THE FULL REWARD

Seven Mennonite revivalists, under pressure from their bishops to give up their style of evangelism, huddled at a farm house in Milford Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It was Friday, September 24, 1858, just two weeks before the next high council. Should they acquiesce to restrictions upon the freedom of expression they enjoyed in their revival and prayer meetings? No, they would not. And so they established the Evangelische Mennoniten Gemeinschaft (Evangelical Mennonite Society). In their new fellowship which would remain Mennonite in doctrine, they would continue enthusiastic evangelism. This was the birth of what would become the Mennonite Brethren In Christ Church. In 1959 the denomination would change its name to Bible Fellowship Church. I was born while I lived in the parsonage of its church in Sunbury and later I became a charter member of the church in Lancaster. My great-great-grandfather, two of my grandfathers, and my uncle all served as pastors in this church, and in fact, my great-great-great-grandfather donated for land for the first church structure. Music has always been an important part of the worship in this denomination, even though during the early years most was sung acappella or accompanied by guitars. During the early years one song was used so often in services that it became the unofficial anthem of the denomination. I have searched, unsuccessfully, for information about who wrote the words or the music or some history behind its writing. It does have a tremendous theme - the rewards that await God's children in heaven. But the final verse is especially stirring with the thought of sitting with Jesus at His coronation and then casting our crowns at His feet in adoration. We should live each day in anticipation of that event. It is also stirring with a refrain that is usually sung with the male voices singing the back time. I was reminded again of this hymn when I sang it with a quartet this summer at Pinebrook. Then, a month ago, a Pastor's Quartet sang it at my uncle's funeral - a tradition when our pastors are called home to heaven. While you may not know the music, meditate upon the words and be reminded of the full reward that awaits God's faithful children.

(1) There's a full reward awaiting us in glory;

'Tis for service given unto God's dear Son;

It will make the joys of heaven all the brighter;

We'll receive it when the victory is won.

Refrain:

Crown of life and Crown of glory,

Crown of righteousness, and joy.

Crown unfading, full of splendor,

And to see Him by and by.

(2) There's a crown of life for humble service rendered;

There's a crown unfading given for our zeal;

Crowns of joy and glory for the hosts unnumbered,

And thro' faith we all may have them if we will.

Refrain:

Crown of life and Crown of glory,

Crown of righteousness, and joy.

Crown unfading, full of splendor,

And to see Him by and by.

(3) There's a crown of righteousness awaits our wearing;

It shines brighter than all others in His Word,

'Tis for all who wait and look for His appearing,

And have crowned Him King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Refrain:

Crown of life and Crown of glory,

Crown of righteousness, and joy.

Crown unfading, full of splendor,

And to see Him by and by.

(4) But to sit with Jesus in His coronation,

Will be better than to wear the crowns above,

So we'll cast them at His feet in adoration;

'Twill be heaven just to realize His love.

Refrain:

Crown of life and Crown of glory,

Crown of righteousness, and joy.

Crown unfading, full of splendor,

And to see Him by and by.

FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH

This morning, in our early worship service, my wife played a beautiful piano arrangement, written by Lenny Seidel, of "For The Beauty of the Earth" and "Glorify Thy Name". Not only was it played well but it drew our attention to the many blessings that God has given us. I love living in an area where we experience all four seasons and they are all beautiful in their own way. But I guess I especially like the Fall with the beautiful leaves, the harvested fields, the cool nights, and the pumpkins and apples. It is a special reminder of the Creator and His provisions for us. And I love the way that this particular hymn points out so many of the blessings which we often take for granted and then sums these up with the words "Lord of all, to Thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise". And this should be our hymn of thanks not only at Thanksgiving time, but 365 days of each year. Not much is known about Folliott Sandford Pierpoint (1835 - 1917), the author of this hymn. He was born in the town of Bath, England. The inspiration for this hymn text is said to have come to the young author as he was strolling about his native town one day in the late spring, entranced by the beautiful countryside with the winding Avon River in the distance. Well spring is a beautiful time, too. So as you prepare your hearts for a great Thanksgiving week, meditate on these words and have a grateful heart to the one who has provided us with these special blessings.

For the beauty of the earth,

For the beauty of the skies,

For the love which from our birth

Over and around us lies,

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our grateful hymn of praise.

For the beauty of each hour

Of the day and of the night,

Hill and vale, and tree and flower,

Sun and moon and stars of light,

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our grateful hymn of praise.

For the joy of human love,

Brother, sister, parent, child,

Friends on earth, and friends above,

Pleasures pure and undefiled,

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our grateful hymn of praise.

For each perfect gift of thine,

To our race so freely given,

Graces human and divine,

Flowers of earth and buds of heaven,

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our grateful hymn of praise.

For thy Church which evermore

Lifteth holy hands above,

Offering up on every shore

Her pure sacrifice of love,

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our grateful hymn of praise.

For the words and music, listen here. LISTEN
For beautiful pictures, look here. PICTURES
For a VeggieTale special, listen here. VEGGIE

O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES

Yesterday we left early in the morning to attend the Penn State football game at State College. As we traveled there, we had the radio turned on to a local Christian radio station and one of the programs included some old hymns. One of those was the one chosen this week which is one of over 6,000 written by Charles Wesley. I didn't think much more about it until the game began. The crowd was quiet as Penn State was playing poorly and fell behind. But then, late in the second quarter, things began to change. Penn State took control of the game and the crowd went wild. Then over 100,000 fans began the famous chant, "We are, Penn State" and the stadium shook. It was then that the words of this old hymn came back and I began to think of the effect of thousands using their tongue to sing the praises of a football team - yes, just a football team. It struck me how much more we have to stir us to sing, shout, and praise our great Creator. It is humbling to think how little we talk about Him and praise Him. In fact often, at best, we are too busy to do so. At worst, we are too embarrassed to do so. But He alone deserves our praise and adoration and we should use the one tongue that we have to do so - all the time. When Wesley originally wrote this in 1740, there were 18 verses. I am including just four of the more familiar ones for you to meditate upon today. He is said to have written this on the first anniversary of his conversion and it was his recommendation that everyone should sing it "on the anniversary of one's conversion."

O for a thousand tongues to sing

My great Redeemer's praise,

The glories of my God and King,

The triumphs of his grace!

My gracious Master and my God,

Assist me to proclaim,

To spread through all the earth abroad

The honors of thy name.

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,

That bids our sorrows cease;

'Tis music in the sinner's ears,

'Tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of canceled sin,

He sets the prisoner free;

His blood can make the foulest clean;

His blood availed for me.

Listen to it here. LISTEN

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

Joseph Medlicott Scriven was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1819. He fell for a lovely young woman, but on the eve of their wedding she accidentally drowned. Scriven never recovered from the shock. The Irishman began to wander, hoping to forget his sorrow. At age 25, he finally settled in Canada. His faith led him to do menial tasks for poor widows and the sick and He often worked for no wages. He later fell in love again and planned to marry a wonderful Canadian woman. But again, tragedy struck. His fiance died after contracting pneumonia. In 1855, a friend visited an ill Scriven and discovered a poem that he had written for his ailing mother in faraway Ireland. Scriven didn't have the money to visit her, but he sent her the poem as an encouragement. He called it "Pray Without Ceasing." Scriven never intended for the poem to be published, but it made its rounds, and was set to music in 1868 by musician Charles Converse, who titled it "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." Scriven died in 1886, ironically, in an accidental drowning. In his memory, the town of Port Hope Ontario erected a monument with this inscription from Scriven's famous song: "In His arms He'll take and shield thee. Thou wilt find a solace there". Since its publication, this music has been a real inspiration and comfort to many. Possibly today you are facing a trial and need a friend. Jesus is there to bear that burden for you. Just take it to Him in prayer.

(1) What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our

sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry everything to

God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit, O what

needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry everything to

God in prayer.

(2) Have we trials and temptations? Is

there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged; take it to

the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful who will

all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to

the Lord in prayer.

(3) Are we weak and heavy laden,

cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to

the Lord in prayer.

Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take

it to the Lord in prayer!

In His arms He'll take and shield you; you

will find a solace there.

Listen to it here. LISTEN

LITTLE IS MUCH WHEN GOD IS IN IT

Yesterday we attended the annual meeting of the Bible Fellowship Church Historical Society where a paper was presented on the "Influence of the Kauffman Family in the Bible Fellowship Church." The meeting was held at an old church in Zionsville where our denomination began. The land for the church was given by my great great great grandfather. It was interesting to learn that his son, one of the early pastors, was willing to be a traveling pastor and ministered in well over a dozen locations. That must have been a real sacrifice in a time when travel was very difficult and money was scarce. It has been challenging to me to learn how many of my ancestors gave up conveniences and material possessions to serve the Lord. Today we complain about our economic status, and many are suffering. But few of us show the desire to dedicate all that we have - our money, our possessions, our time, our conveniences - to trust and serve the Lord. And yet the scriptures say "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you." Do we believe that? Are we really trusting Jesus to provide all that we need. Is all that we have really belong to the Lord? This is the theme of this old hymn, written in 1924 by Katie L. Suffield. Meditate upon these words and ask yourself, "Is this my testimony?" Then examine your checkbook and calendar.

(1) In the harvest field now ripened

There's a work for all to do;

Hark! the voice of God is calling

To the harvest calling you.

Refrain

Little is much when God is in it!

Labor not for wealth or fame.

There's a crown — and you can win it,

If you go in Jesus' Name.

(2) In the mad rush of the broad way,

In the hurry and the strife,

Tell of Jesus' love and mercy,

Give to them the Word of Life.

Refrain - Little is much when God is in it!

Labor not for wealth or fame.

There's a crown — and you can win it,

If you go in Jesus' Name.

(3) Does the place you're called to labor

Seem too small and little known?

It is great if God is in it,

And He'll not forget His own.

Refrain - Little is much when God is in it!

Labor not for wealth or fame.

There's a crown — and you can win it,

If you go in Jesus' Name.

(4) Are you laid aside from service,

Body worn from toil and care?

You can still be in the battle,

In the sacred place of prayer.

Refrain - Little is much when God is in it!

Labor not for wealth or fame.

There's a crown — and you can win it,

If you go in Jesus' Name.

(5) When the conflict here is ended

And our race on earth is run,

He will say, if we are faithful,

"Welcome home, My child — well done!"

Refrain - Little is much when God is in it!

Labor not for wealth or fame.

There's a crown — and you can win it,

If you go in Jesus' Name.

Listen to it here. LISTEN