The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
December 11, 2005
In
This Issue:
My
Least Favorite Christmas Song
by
Steve Klein
Aids
to Remembrance
Author
Unknown
Too
Close to Call
Author
Unknown
My Least Favorite Christmas Song
It's that time of year again. Walmarts and malls are crammed with holiday shoppers, homes and city streets are adorned with festive decorations, and radio stations and department stores are playing Christmas music 24 - 7.
A lot of folks enjoy holiday music, and for the most part I count myself among them. Some songs (like Winter Wonderland, Sleigh Ride, and White Christmas) remind us of the joys and benefits of the winter season. Other songs (like Rudolph, Nuttin' for Christmas, Frosty, and Here Comes Santa Claus) are silly make-believe, but in my personal opinion they are relatively harmless if kept in perspective. However, a number of other holiday tunes can be troublesome for the true child of God. Some of these are good spiritual songs that glorify Christ as King (such as Gloria and Joy to the World), but they are played with instruments of music. The New Testament commands us to sing spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Other Christmas songs are troubling because they convey false or imagined information concerning the birth of Christ and how men are to honor Him. In this category, my least favorite song is The Little Drummer Boy.
My objection to The Little Drummer Boy is not merely that the word "pum" (as in "pa rum pum pum pum") occurs 63 times in the song. That is irritating, but tolerable. Nor is my main objection that the song fabricates an event in the life of Jesus, although that is certainly an unacceptable thing to do. Not only is there no evidence that a little drummer boy visited the manger to bring his gift, there is no evidence that anybody ever visited the manger bringing gifts. The shepherds merely came to see the babe in the manger (Luke 2:15-17), and when the wise men visited Jesus bringing their gifts, Jesus was in a house (Matthew 2:11). My primary objection to The Little Drummer Boy is that it conveys the idea that God will be happy with whatever service I want to offer Him. The little drummer boy had "no gift to bring" so he played his drum. According to the song, Jesus "smiled" at him. Cain apparently had no animal sacrifice to bring, so he "brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord" (Genesis 4:3). Did the Lord smile? No. "He did not respect Cain and his offering" (Genesis 4:5).
We cannot just give God what we've got on hand or what we enjoy doing and expect Him to be pleased. We must give Him what He has asked for. We do not honor Him by substituting our will for His will.
This principle applies to "whatever" we do. In Colossians 3:16, the Lord asks us to sing to Him, not drum to Him. The very next verse (Colossians 3:17) says, "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus."
--Steve Klein
In I Corinthians 11:24-25, Paul gave a solemn charge to remember the Lord's Supper. He said that they were to bring to mind the serious matter of observing this memorial feast. Far too often the real meaning of this part of worship is overlooked or even abused. I want to list some things that will help keep our minds on track as we observe this supper. Please concentrate on each of these things as you partake of this supper commemorating the death of our Savior. As we survey the scenes of Calvary, let us observe:
1. One Lord (Eph. 4:5). The word Lord emphasizes "ownership." We truly have been bought with a price (I Cor. 6:20). Jesus Himself said that He is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). His death gave us life.
2. Two thieves (Matt. 27:38). Isaiah had prophesied that the Messiah would be "numbered with the transgressors" (Isa. 53:12). The innocent was crucified for the guilty.
3. Three crosses. One cross was of rebellion (Luke 23:39); one was the cross of repentance (Luke 23:40); and the other that held our Lord, the cross of redemption (I Pet. 1:18).
4. Four parts of His garment (John 19:23). These men seemed to want a memorial of this event, and, of course, it was He who was on the cross that should be remembered.
5. Five wounds. He was nailed to the cross. Both hands and feet were held secure by the nails and then His side was pierced (John 19:34).
6. Six hours (Mark 15:25-34). Six long hours in agony. Hanging there, suspended between heaven and earth, for such a long period of time. There was darkness for three hours and then He died.
7. Seven sayings: (1) "Father, forgive them" (Luke 23:34); (2) "Today shalt thou be with me" (Luke 23:43); (3) "Woman, behold thy son" (John 19:26-27); (4) "I thirst" (John 19:28); (5) "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me" (Matt. 27:46); (6) "It is finished" (John 19:30); (7) "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit" (Luke 23:46).
My prayer is that we will learn to be serious and reverent in our observance of this memorial supper. The scenes of Calvary should surely stir us to partake of the emblems representing the body and blood of our Savior.
-- Author Unknown
Via Beacon, a publication of Bellview church of
Christ, Pensacola, FL
At a baseball game once, it was very obvious
that the batter was a great big fellow. The catcher was also very
large, but the umpire was a very small man.
When the first ball was pitched, the
small umpire called out, "Strike one!" The BIG batter
turned around and gave the umpire a dirty look. The second ball came
and the umpire called, "Ball one!" The BIG catcher turned
and stared at the umpire. When the next ball was pitched, the umpire
called out, "Two!" Both the catcher and the batter turned,
looked at the umpire, and said, "Two what?" The umpire
said, "Too close to call!"
We often find ourselves in that
predicament in life. It seems as though we constantly strive to
please the world. On the other hand, it is easy to say yes, and then,
in a similar situation with another person, to say no. But when in
the presence of both, it is difficult to be honest and open about our
convictions. "No man can serve to masters: for either he will
hate the one, and love the other; or else, he will hold to the one,
and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Matt. 6:24)
-- Author Unknown