Friday, December 9, 2005

PATIENCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT

“Now the God of patience and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus,  that with one accord you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(Romans 15:5,6)

QUOTATIONS FOR THE DAY

“Patience is not passive; on the contrary, it is active; it is concentrated strength"

(Edward Bulwer-Lytton)

"Patience and fortitude conquer all things."

(Ralph Waldo Emerson)

"He that can have patience, can have what he will.”

(Benjamin Franklin)

MAINE STATE PRISON
GIVES CHRISTMAS THE COLD SHOULDER

The Maine state prison in Warren is joining the movement for political correctness by holding a “Holiday Party” this year instead of its annual Christmas party. The prison was told specifically that the event was not to be referred to as a Christmas party. Some at the prison are rankled, because the disrespect shown to the most beloved of holidays comes hard on the heels of a month-long observance of Ramadan.

During the month of Ramadan, Moslem prisoners at the state prison were served their meals before sunrise and sunset.  The prison also held a Ramadan breakfast meal during which time the Moslems could eat and fellowship together. 

Nothing could be more meaningful, more uplifting, and more encouraging for the inmates at the State Prison than to have a Christmas party at which the meaning of the birth of the Savior is explained. Sadly, all this has to be omitted in favor of a meaningless and
values-free “Holiday Party.”
 
LETTERS ON LEGAL RIGHTS
AT CHRISTMAS ATTRACT
ATTENTION OF THE PIBLIC

A compilation of letters explaining the rights of Christians at Christmas have been published by the Alliance Defense Fund and are making the rounds on the Internet. The letters give a detailed and comprehensive explanation of the legal right of municipalities to sponsor religious displays; and they also explain the free speech rights of students and teachers at Christmas.

The letters by the Alliance Defense Fund dispel many of the myths that have gained widespread popular acceptance over the years. The rights of Christians at Christmas are in fact much broader than most people think. Teachers and students do have a right to sing religious Christmas carols in school for example, and teachers do have a right to explain the religious meaning of Christmas. In addition, schools have a right to call a school break at this time of year “a Christmas Vacation” and not a “Holiday Vacation.” 

The letters are posted online at “As Maine Goes,” and you can read them by clicking on

http://www.asmainegoes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19361

INSPIRED BY AN ANGEL?

One well-known Christmas carol is at one and the same time a story of cooperative effort, and a story of divine inspiration. The author of the lyrics, Phillip Brooks, had visited the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem three years before writing the words of the carol. 

As Christmas approached, Brooks found himself in need of music for the words, and so he turned to the church organist, Lewis Redner. Redner pondered long and hard over the melody, with no result. Then on Christmas eve, the day before the song was to be performed, the melody came to him - in a dream. Redner completed the harmony on Christmas day.

The combined result of the effort by Phillips, Redner, and perhaps an angel, was the Christmas carol “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 the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth!

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.

Where children pure and happy pray to the blessèd Child,
Where misery cries out to Thee, Son of the mother mild;

Where charity stands watching and faith holds wide the door,
The dark night wakes, the glory breaks, and Christmas comes once more.

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!

Click here to hear the music: 

http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/l/olittle.htm