“An angel announced His conception and gave Him His name. The heavenly host sang a glorious anthem at His birth. By the extraordinary star, the very heavens indicated His coming.
In Himself He was the most illustrious child ever born-the holy child of Mary, the Devine Son of God.” Billy Graham
Mathew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
“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.
Are you a Sunday Morning Christian? Or worse yet a twice a year Christian, (Christmas and Easter) you only go to church on those times or maybe to a wedding or funeral.
Today may be the day you will go. God doesn’t want your outward show. He wants all of you, everyday 24 hours a day.
If you are truly born again then worship Him with your life and action 24/7. If you are not saved, go to church today and if the Pastor gives the gospel and an opportunity to invite Jesus into your heart and forgive your sins then do that today. Maybe you are not planning go to church today, you can be saved as you read this. Admit to God you are a sinner, Believe that Jesus died on the cross as payment for your sins, and Call on Him to save you.
Pray this simple prayer but mean it with your heart: Lord Jesus, I admit I am a sinner. I believe you died on the cross for forgiveness of my sins. I ask that you forgive my sins, come into my heart and make my life new. I receive you as my Savior. Thank you Jesus. Amen
This can be the happiest Christmas you have ever had. Give Jesus the best gift you have, YOURSELF.
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
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.)
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Center for Evangelists 