Archive for the ‘Christmas’ Category

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

December 14, 2015

“Hark the Herald Angels Sing” was written in the 1700’s by Charles Wesley. He and his brother John were dynamic preachers in that time and were responsible for revival in both England and America.They founded the Methodist Church.

Charles wrote hundreds of hymns, first published in the Methodist Hymnal.

He was saved under the preaching of George Whitfield, who also had a part in the lyrics of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” as he changed some of the words to the hymn as we know it today.

The influence of these great men of the faith are still being felt today. If only we would see men today of such dedication to the preaching of the Gospel.

Unfortunately a lot of the churches have started singing “new” Christmas songs and the old familiar hymns are being tossed aside, along with the power of the Holy Spirit. Programs have replaced power in many churches today. If you hear or sing this great hymn this Christmas stop for a minute or two and pray for revival. Our churches need revival, our homes need revival and our nation needs revival.
1. Hark! the herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled!

Joyful, all ye nations, rise;

Join the triumph of the skies;

With th’angelic host proclaim

Christ is born in Bethlehem!

(Chorus)

Hark! the herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn King!

2. Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Son of Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings,

Ris’n with healing in his wings.

Mild he lays his glory by,

Born that man no more may die;

Born to raise the sons of earth,

Born to give them second birth.
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Santa

December 12, 2015

What do you do with Santa?You can’t ignore him because he is pictured everywhere. Your children will see and hear about him. Other children will be excited and talk about him.

Do you really want your children to find out you did not tell them the truth?

In our home, having a large family, we did talk about Santa this way.

Santa is pretend. A fairy tale like Cinderella or Snow White. Fun to think about but he is not real.

Our children were allowed to sit on Santa’s lap and have their picture taken but they knew that he was just a man pretending to be Santa.

The gifts they receive come from Daddy and Mommy because God gives blessings of being able to work.

We had fun with our children and played make believe with them about Santa but always told them the real meaning of Christmas.  It is Jesus birthday.

The manger scene was always in a prominent place in our home. (Still is)

We celebrated His birthday with a cake. Also, taught the true joy is in giving not receiving.

Did this hurt our children? No. They really enjoyed Christmas but never had the pain of finding out that Santa is not real and that their parents had not told the truth.

We always told them not to tell their friends because their Mom or Dad must tell them when it is time for them to know.

Have fun with your children this Christmas. Make some memories that are uniquely yours.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

(This post and some others this season is a repost from the archives. Some things are worth repeating.)

Gabriel, Messenger from God

December 11, 2015

Luke 1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

Only two angels are mentioned by name in the New Testament. Gabriel and Michael. Gabriel was an archangel who was a messenger sent by God to deliver news to Zacariah and then later to Mary.

Gabriel is also mentioned in the book of Daniel in the Old Testament. Angels had an important role in the birth of the Lord Jesus. Their presence brought fear into the hearts of the people they appeared to according to scripture.

We tend to forget that people like Zacariah, Mary and Joseph were just ordinary people that God used in extraordinary circumstances. If Gabriel appeared to us today we too would be afraid.

As Christians we can look forward to the time when we will see angels in Heaven. What a wonderful future we have and there will be no fear, only wonder and beauty as we behold Heaven and meet Jesus face to face.

Go Tell

December 10, 2015

“Go Tell It On The Mountain” is one of the favorite hymns of Christmas. The question is: Do we as Christians go and tell about Jesus? Christmas season is the perfect opportunity for you. Afraid or shy? Everyone can at least hand out a Bible tract. If you want a simple way to tell, go to the home page, then go to join us training videos. The purpose of SOS Events ministry is to win others to Jesus but also to teach Christians how to witness. 

Let all of us “go and tell” today.
Go Tell It On The Mountain

Go tell it on the mountain,Over the hills and everywhere,

Go tell it on the mountain,

Our Jesus Christ is born.
When I was a seeker

I sought both night and day,

I asked the Lord to help me,

And he showed me the way. 

He made me a watchman

Upon a city wall,

And if I am a Christian,

I am the least of all. 
Chorus: Go tell it on the mountain,

Over the hills and everywhere,

Go tell it on the mountain,

Our Jesus Christ is born.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Immanuel, Prophecy Fulfilled 

December 9, 2015

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Jesus birth was prophesied in the Old Testament many times. Isaiah was one of the major prophets and this verse is one of the better known prophesies.

The book of Isaiah was written 700 years before the birth of Jesus and fulfilled in Bethlehem when Jesus was born to a young virgin named Mary. 

The name Immanuel means “God with us” and refers in this prophesy to what people would call Him, not His actual name. Jesus is called many things, Prince of Peace, Wonderful, Lily of the Valley, Savior, King of kings and many more. 

As we celebrate His birth this year be thankful we can look back in scripture and know that this prophecy has been fulfilled.

Gifts for Jesus

December 8, 2015

  
Two SOS Events workers from Alabama are pictured here telling people who came to a Christmas program  at church to check out the 3 Things God Can Not Do. 45 decisions for Jesus was recorded at this event.

Christmas season is a great time to witness for the Lord. Jesus is the reason for the season. What a wonderful gift to bring to Him on His birthday, new Christians who have accepted Him.

The wise men brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh but we can give Him even greater gifts, first ourselves and then to bring others to Him by telling them of God’s great gift to us. Eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Matthew 2:11  And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Why Was Jesus Born?

December 7, 2015

Church sign, “Jesus was born that we might be born again!”

Are you born again? If you want to know how to be born again go to SOS Events home page and scroll down to the “3 Things God Can Not Do” click on each life preserver for what the Bible says, then scroll down to the next 3  Life preservers for the verses that will tell you how to be born again.

Please let SOS Events know of your decision by filling out a decision card so we can pray for you and help you in your new Christian life. This could be the best Christmas you have ever had. 

John 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Church, Full or Empty?

December 6, 2015

The church is decorated for Christmas, wreaths, garlands, lights, beautiful flowers. The choir is prepared, the Pastor has his message ready and the congregation comes to worship.

There are two times a year when the churches are full, Christmas and Easter. Both times are to celebrate the coming of Jesus. Christmas to celebrate His birth and Easter to celebrate his coming out of the grave and victory over death.

Are you a two times a year church goer? If that is the only time you worship Jesus, you may miss His third coming when He will meet born again Christians in the air.

Then the churches that preach the gospel should be empty. Think about going to church and it is almost empty. No Pastor, no choir, only a few people who missed the true message of Jesus birth. God sent His Son as a gift that we might be saved. Do not be left to go to an empty church. Accept God’s gift of salvation today, then go to church and celebrate Jesus’ birth and you can truly worship from your heart.

Galatians 4:4-7 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

A Little Child

December 5, 2015

In the next few weeks there will be Christmas programs in churches and schools (of course to be politically correct in schools they will be called holiday programs).

Songs will be happy and you may even hear a Carol or two. Looking back in memory there was one program that stands out in my mind and I have seen and even directed many of these programs.

This only one that I remember clearly is when my son, who was about 3 years old, recited this little poem:

“I’m not very big or very tall you see, but to the dear Lord Jesus I give all of me.”

From the mouth of a child, that is what our gift to the Lord should be. Our heart, mind and body should be dedicated to Him this Christmas. We scurry around finding the perfect gift for each friend or loved one and many times forget the One whose birthday we are celebrating.

 So this season enjoy all festivities but put Jesus first. He desires our worship, love and devotion.

Luke 18:17  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

Christmas Lights

December 3, 2015

Christmas lights are so beautiful. Darkness falls and even the most barren property, the scrawniest tree, the ugly streets become a sparkling sight to see. 

Some people spend a lot of money for the lights of Christmas. Others may only have a little string of lights or a few candles. The mall and shops are full of glowing lights. There are people who refuse to light their home or have a tree.

However a person may feel about decorating for Chrismas they still enjoy the sight of what others have done. 

Jesus is the light of the world. His light shines in the hearts of people who believe in Him and have trusted Him as their Savior. Others receive the benefits He brings into the world. He blesses the just and the unjust.

This season when you enjoy the decorations and especially the lights think about Jesus and the light He brings to your life.

John 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.