Worship and Praise Archive
2005 - 2006
by Max Frazier, Jr.

From the November 2006 Philogian:

What words come to your mind when you hear the word “Christmas?”  Let me help you get started by sharing my list: snow and cold, decorated trees, candy canes, candles, Frosty the Snowman, Santa and Rudolph, shopping, presents, programs and cantatas, special foods, family and friends, joy and celebration, and, most importantly, the nativity of Jesus. 

I would like to include one more word – “music.”  Christmas is that one season of the year when music most grips our hearts.  Hardly a person would be unable to identify at least one Christmas song.  We all have our favorites.  From “Jingle Bells” to “Deck the Halls” and from “Silent Night” to “O Holy Night”, the music of Christmas has profoundly impacted our lives and inspired us in our celebration of this very special time.  And, as we noticed in our feature article, music took a center-stage position at that first Christmas so many years ago.

Behind many of the Christmas carols we sing there is a story that, when known, adds significantly to the joys we experience when those carols are sung.  I would like to brighten your Christmas Season by telling just a few of those wonderful stories behind the carols. 

One of the most popular carols written in the English language came from the 16th century.  We know it as “The First Noel.”  Scholars have wondered at the derivation of that word “noel” and several theories have been presented.  Some say that it came from a French expression of joy at the birth of a child, while others say it came from a Latin root meaning birth.  A very interesting theory has been presented that “noel” is a shortened form of the word “nowell” which, in turn, is an abbreviation of the phrase, “now all is well.”  This has caused some to say that the Christians in the early part of the 16th century greeted each other on Christmas morning with that phrase, “now all is well,” implying that because Jesus had come, truly all was well with the world.  This song has no know composer.  In fact, it might have been composed by a group of individuals to be sung by the common people on the streets of London.  You see, at the time of the composition of “The First Noel” only professional choirs were allowed to sing the music of the Church.  So, street songs were created to allow people to express their worship of God.  Some of the facts of the first Christmas are distorted in this carol, but its message that Jesus came to provide salvation is certainly not one of those distortions.  Yes, “now all is well” because “born is the King of Israel.”

Another popular Christmas song was not written as a Christmas song but as an interpretation of Psalm 98.  The author was Isaac Watts…the year 1719.  The story of Isaac Watts is a remarkable one.  At the age of 18 (1692), after voicing strong disapproval at the quality of the songs being sung in the Church, Isaac Watts was challenged by his father to write better songs.  Watts accepted the challenge and for 222 consecutive Sundays wrote a new song to be sung.  His health was always frail, but his passion for music and for the Word was strong.  “Joy to the World” is a celebration, not of Jesus’ first coming, but of His second.  Yet, somehow it has made its way into the collection of music for the Christmas Season, and I am thankful that it has.  This carol echoes the good news that Jesus Christ is King!  The challenge is still that “every heart might prepare him room.” 

Of course no Christmas Eve service would ever be complete without singing perhaps the most perfect Christmas carol ever written.  “Silent Night” was introduced to the world on December 24, 1818.  Father Joseph Mohr was the newly installed assistant priest at the Church of St. Nicholas in Oberndorf in Austria.  Franz Gruber was the organist at the Church.  He had relayed the news to Father Mohr that the church’s organ was broken and beyond repair.  Father Mohr challenged him to try once again, and then he left to do some Christmas Eve visitation within his parish.  At one home he celebrated the birth of a new child. While on his way home, Father Mohr began to compare the humble surroundings of the home of that new child with those humble surrounding that Jesus experienced that first Christmas.  He hurried home and quickly composed the verses for a song.  He then rushed to the Church, presented the words to Mr. Gruber and asked him to compose a simple melody so that the song could be presented at the midnight mass that evening.  In the absence of an organ, “Silent Night” was first sung to the strains of a guitar.  Soon the world was singing those simple yet beautiful words: “Silent night, holy night; All is calm, all is bright; Round yon Virgin Mother and Child! Holy Infant, so tender and mild; Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.”

My heart is saddened to know that so many churches today do not use the music of Christmas in their services except for the Sunday just before Christmas.  The great music of Christmas that has spanned the generations has brought blessing and encouragement for the Advent Season.  I trust that, even now, you are listening to, and humming the familiar strains of those songs of Christmas.  In our home we begin the end of October and we never grow tired of celebrating that wonderful story – “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord!”


From the August 2006 Philogian:

“Memorial” is defined as an adjective that serves to help people remember some person or event (Webster’s New World Dictionary).  In other words, it has to do with our memory.  In the cemetery, a memorial stone helps one to remember the person who lies buried there beneath its engraved granite.  Memorials also dot the landscape of America’s military parks, marking places where Pickett’s charge was stopped at Gettysburg, or where the battleship Arizona sank at Pearl Harbor.  Memorials usually denote a sense of solemnity. 

“Celebration” is defined as a noun that denotes a formal commemoration.  The verb “celebrate” is defined as: 1) to perform a ritual publicly and formally; 2) to commemorate with ceremony or festivity; 3) to proclaim; and 4) to honor or praise publicly (Webster’s New World Dictionary).  My wife and I attended a wedding celebration recently for her nephew.  It was a time of merriment and joy.

Now I know what you are going to ask: Max, what do these two words have to do with the topic of this page of the Philogian?  I would like to relate both of these words to my understanding of what worship is.  The first is rather obvious; the second not as obvious. 

Most obvious to all of us is the concept of worship being an act of celebration.  The Book of Psalms is full of expressions that incite a spirit of joy and praise to flow out of our hearts and from our lips as we worship.  “Sing to the Lord new song” (Psalm 98:1).  “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord” (Psalm 100:1).  “This is the day the Lord has made…rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).  “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:6).  “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.  His love endures forever” (Psalm 136:1).  Yes, I believe God wants our worship to be a time when we give honor and praise publicly to God.  It should be a time of joy and merriment.  It should be a time when the cares of this present life are swallowed up in the wonder of who God is.

But, I believe that worship is also an act of memorial.  It is a time for solemn reflection upon the past.  It is the opportunity for us to be sobered by the reality of who we are.  I recall those words of David, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).  Worship is that opportunity to recall what God has done in our lives.  Now, I know this at first seems to be contradictory to what I said in the above paragraph about worship being a time when the cares of this present life are swallowed up in the wonder of who God is.  But, even in the swallowing up, there is that sense of remembering what God has done.

Let me see if I can illustrate it this way.  I shared earlier that Marlys and I attended the wedding of her nephew in July.  In fact, I had the privilege of assisting with the ceremony.  It was truly a time of celebration.  The cares of the present moment were forgotten in the joys of seeing Tim and Rebecca share their love.  Yet, for me, the ceremony became a memorial…a time of remembrance.  For almost thirty-seven years earlier, upon a different platform and before a different group of witnesses, I had made a similar vow to Marlys that I would love her as long as I should live.  As I listened to Tim and Rebecca share those same words, my mind recalled a sparsely furnished first apartment; taking final exams while Marlys was in labor with our first child (the attending physician told me to go and take the exams); first day on the bus for kindergarten, followed by concerts, football and basketball games; high school and college graduations and wedding of our children. 

I appreciate the fact that worship is to be a celebration.  And I want to enter into it with all the merriment and joy possible.  But, I also appreciate the fact that worship is a memorial.  It is a time when I can reflect upon the journey that God and I have had these many years.  At times the pathway has not always been the smoothest.  And, at times, I have not been as faithful as I should have been.  But God has always been there.  And, as I worship, I am blessed with those memories. 

 From the May 2006 Philogian:

Shalom Allechem!  Peace to you!  Friends, that is how a person greets another in Israel.  It is much more than an informal, impersonal greeting of “hello” or “hi.”  No, the word “shalom” conveys the desire that peace be upon the one we are greeting. 

Now, as I have thought about this greeting since returning home from Israel, my heart has been encouraged by these words – Shalom Allechem.  I am really inviting the person to whom I am speaking to experience the presence of peace in his or her life.  So, I began to do some research into the various kinds of peace the Bible describes.  And my heart was encouraged with what I found.

First, the Bible speaks of having peace with God.  The Apostle Paul expressed it this way – Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).  In another section in the same letter, he describes this peace more specifically – Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).  Before knowing Jesus Christ as my Messiah, because of my sins I was at war with God.  I stood under His condemnation.  I was under the sentence of His judgment.  But, when Jesus Christ entered into my life, my warfare with God ended.  I surrendered to Him.  And, I might add, His terms were for an unconditional surrender.  So, when I say, Shalom Allechem!, I am inviting that person to know the peace with God that can free his or her life from the power of sin.  Shalom Allechem!  Peace with God be to you!

Second, the Bible speaks of having the peace of God.  Again, the Apostle Paul expressed it with these words – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).  This is what I call “peace for daily living.”  It is that confident assurance that God is still on the throne and that He is watching over every aspect of our lives.  It is that peace that permits us to rest well at night, knowing that, “if I should die before I wake, I know the Lord my soul would take.” 

Now, I believe we can experience this peace of God in two ways.  First, there is that peace that comes in the absence of difficulties or trials in our lives.  These are those days that we truly celebrate.  When all is going well, yes, there is peace.  But, more importantly, we can know the peace of God when going through the deep waters of adversity.  I remember those words of Jesus to His disciples – I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world (John 16:33).  We can all identify with having troubles in this world – a rebellious child, a health issue that does not respond to treatment, a financial crisis that threatens our well-being, a job that creates uncomfortable ethical climates.  In the midst of these storms and, yes that is a good word to describe them, we can know the peace of God.  We can know that God is still in our storm-tossed boat.  We can know that God has the power to calm our storms, but if He chooses not to, we know He will see us through.  I take great encouragement from these words of the Apostle Paul – No temptation (the word could also be translated as “difficulties” or “storms”) has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it (First Corinthians 10:13).  Shalom Allechem!  May the peace of God be with you no matter what the circumstances of your life are. 

Shalom Allechem!  It really is more than just saying “hi!”  It really is conferring a blessing of God’s peace upon someone else.  It is a greeting of caring for another.  So, I say to you, Shalom Allechem!  May you know the peace with God and the peace of God in your lives.    

From the February 2006 Philogian:

The 21st century has provided us with some incredible tools that have enhanced our quality of life. From airport waiting areas to crowded hallways at shopping malls, people with earphones dangling around their heads become an all too common sight. Where would we be without our MP3 players or our iPods? If it is not music we are listening too, then it is a conversation in which we are engaged through our cell phones. One wonders how we survived without cell phones. And then there is text-messaging. Please don't ask me how it works - I have a most difficult time just entering a name into my cell phone.

Communication is important to us these days. If one should leave home without his or her cell phone, it is almost as if you left partially unclothed. We are a people who want to stay in touch. An airplane is barely on the ground before cell phones are popping up all over the cabin. We simply must talk to someone about something; it need not even be important.

Now, I know what you are asking. Max, how does having a cell phone relate to the concept of worship and praise? And, that, my friend, is a fair question to address. The answer is found in the nature and purpose of a cell phone. I have a cell phone in order to stay in communication with my office, with my family, with my friends. I want them to know that they can always get in touch with me, and I with them.

Is that not the nature and purpose of prayer as well? Prayer is simply communicating to God. And God truly wants us to stay in touch with Him. He says, through the writer to the Hebrews, that we should approach God's throne of grace with confidence so that we might find mercy and grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). The ancient prophet Jeremiah expressed a similar thought when he relayed this message from God: "call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" (Jeremiah 33:3). Many and rich are the promises associated with prayer. From encouragement to strength; from wisdom to understanding; from peace to hope - all are found through prayer. It is when we pray that we can cast our burdens upon the Lord (First Peter 5:7), and if those burdens be too heavy to cast, then we can simply roll them to Jesus (Psalm 37:5, where the Hebrew word for "commit" is "to roll").

Yet, the Apostle James stated strongly that we do not have because we do not ask (James 4:2). American believers are woefully lacking in their prayer lives. A midweek prayer service - once the backbone of the local church - has now become a mere relic of the past. Pastoral prayers - once thundered from America's pulpits with compassion and power that moved people to action (read the prayers of Jonathan Edwards, or Charles Finney, or D.L. Moody) - have now been discarded so that we can sing another chorus or have some additional minutes for preaching.

In his devotional commentary titled, Morning by Morning, Charles Spurgeon wrote that prayer is one of the most vitally important subjects in the entire Bible. From early in Genesis until the very closing verses of the Revelation, prayer is encouraged. Spurgeon added: We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in His Word, He intended to be conspicuous in our lives (for January 2).

Friends, God wants to engage with us in conversation. There is nothing that touches our lives but that we cannot dialogue about with Him. Perhaps it is simply saying "thank you" to God for His giving you another day to enjoy Him. Or, it is a quiet intercession with God about a friend or a family member. God wants to talk with us. Perhaps, if God would just give us a phone number we could call on our cell phones, we would spend more time talking with Him.

From the August 2005 Philogian:

Worship is such a vital part of our relationship with God. God truly longs for our worship and celebration of Him. Yet worship and praise does not flow spontaneously from our hearts. Heartfelt worship must be learned.

These past few weeks I have been reading in the book of Numbers for my own personal devotions. That book has helped me to better understand that worship is not something that comes automatically. It was much easier for the people of Israel to grumble and complain than it was to worship and celebrate.

Every day they had cause to celebrate God. There was that manna lying upon the ground every morning. Water flowed from a rock to provide refreshment for them. In the cool evenings, there upon the wilderness floor, God warmed them through a pillar of fire, and during the heat of the day, God cooled them with the shade of a cloud. Their clothing was not wearing out. The shoes were as if they had just put them on in Egypt. Everywhere they looked they should have seen the hand of God. For them every day should have been a cause for worship and celebration.

Yet what is the picture we observe of Israel? Lets see if we can eaves-drop on a conversation. Manna! All we get is this manna! We are tired of it! Oh if only we could have the onions, leeks, cucumbers and melons of Egypt! And, yes, we would gladly trade the shade of the cloud and the warmth of the pillar of fire for the skies of Egypt! Worship and celebrate God! You have got to be kidding! Hes the one responsible for the mess we are in! And so the grumbling continued.

I am convinced that few people are born with a thankful spirit. Even fewer are born with a desire to celebrate and worship God. And yet God wants our worship. So, how can a person take what is an unnatural act and allow it to become a habitual part of who he or she is?

First, I believe that we need to begin to appreciate what God has given to us. We live in a day where we clamor for more. Dissatisfaction describes our times. Contentment is absent from our vocabulary. Perhaps it is time that we stop and take inventory of all that God has provided for us. Lets count our blessings, even to the point of naming them one by one. We will then find that we are so blessed because of Him!

Second, I need to rekindle a thankful spirit within me. That means that I need to say thank you to people who have been a blessing to me. It is much easier to take acts of kindness for granted. I need to remember to say, Thank you for that card of encouragement. Thank you for taking me to lunch. Thank you for standing alongside of me during that difficult time. When I begin to be thankful to others, I believe it will be easier for me to become thankful to God.

Third, I need to learn who God really is. This means I need to dig more deeply into the Word to discover God. I need to know His names. I need to hear His voice. I need to understand His attributes. The more I know God, the more I am awed by who He is. And that leads to a more celebratory act of worship. My attitude of grumbling may quietly be cast aside.

Friends, the longer I read in Numbers the more I come to better understand who I am. I, too, complain easily when things are not going my way or according to my expectations. I, too, have a heart that is not readily inclined toward thanksgiving. And often my understanding of God is very shallow. As I read I see myself and I dont necessarily like the picture. I want a heart that celebrates God. I want a heart that desires worship and praise. I want a heart that is desperate to worship the King.

O worship the King, all glorious above, and gratefully sing His powr and His love;
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days, pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.
O tell of His might, O sing of His grace, whose robe is the light, whose canopy space;
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form, and dark is His path on the wings of the storm.
Thy bountiful care what tongue can recite? It breathes in the air; it shines in the light;
It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain, and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.
Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, in thee do we trust, nor find thee to fail;
Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end! Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer and Friend.

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