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Christmas

Pastor's Piece

by Pr Sue Redman

 
Pastor's Piece - Christmas

 
If I was to ask you what is the first song that comes to mind when you think of Christmas, what would you say? Santa Claus is coming to town? O Holy Night? Have yourself a merry little Christmas? The Little Drummer Boy?

I'm not sure if this would be the first song that comes to my mind when I think of Christmas but one song I've come to associate with Christmas in a big way is the Hallelujah Chorus. The Hallelujah Chorus comes from Handel's Messiah and Messiah is not only one of Handel's most famous works, it's undeniably one of the most popular musical works associated with Christmas.

But why? Why is the Hallelujah Chorus associated with Christmas? Is there any mention of angels or the virgin birth? Are there any references to a manger or shepherds or wise men? Consider the lyrics:

"Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah . . . For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth . . . The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ, and of His Christ . . . And He shall reign forever and ever, forever and ever . . . King of kings and Lord of lords, King of kings and Lord of lords . . ."

As I think about the Hallelujah Chorus and I think of Christmas, I'm reminded that Christmas is so much more than Mary and Joseph and a baby. It's so much bigger than a donkey and cattle and sheep. But the irony of the Christmas story is that the big picture is actually found in the detail. It's only as we read the story in detail that we find what it's all about.

On Saturday, December 11, I've been asked to preach a sermon entitled, "More than Christmas" and this sermon will highlight the very details that give us the big picture. We'd like to extend a warm welcome to all those who live close enough by to be able to attend and for those who can't, we will post my sermon in full after the event.

In the meantime, you might like to look up www.biblegateway.com and read John 3:16, Luke 1:30-33 and Matthew 1:21. Let's just say God has done, is doing and will continue to do whatever it takes for you to experience the love, joy and peace of Christmas - forever and ever!

2010 Christmas Service
Saturday, December 11
10.30am-12.00pm
Thornleigh Seventh-day Adventist Church

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