Worship and Praise Archive
2007
by Max Frazier, Jr.

From the November 2007 Philogian:

Christmas is…
            A season of hope
            A festival of love
            A celebration of joy
            A time of reflection with others

The celebration of Christmas includes:
            Singing of carols, both old and new
            Decorating homes and trees with boughs of green and garland of gold
            Savoring the delights of a pumpkin pie or of hot apple cider
            Crunching through snow that lies white against the stark, dark earth
            Enjoying laughter with family and friends as old times are remembered
            Waiting patiently for Christmas morning to arrive

The reason for this celebration is the birthday of the most remarkable individual who has ever been born.  His birth was planned before the foundations of the world were laid (1 Peter 1:20).  For two millenniums God guarded the lineage through which this special child was to come.  There were moments when the Enemy’s assaults threatened the continuation of that lineage but God, through His extra-ordinary powers, preserved that lineage begun through Abraham and continued through David.  As you read the stories in the Old Testament, you cannot help but be thrilled as the hand of God worked through the kings, prophets, priests, and even armies to accomplish His intentions of seeing that special birth-date happen. 

Every Christmas I am drawn irresistibly to that grand proclamation of the Apostle Paul to the Galatian believers: But when the fullness of 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 (Galatians 4:4-5 KJV).  Christmas is a celebration of one special moment in time when God said to His Son, “It is now time for you to accomplish that plan that we set in place before we created this planet called earth.  It is time for you to lay aside your glorified splendor and to become a little, helpless baby.  Son, you must know that this is a most difficult assignment that I give to you.  You know that it will culminate in your death upon a cross.  Yet, Son, I want you to know that I will be with you every step of the way.  At times you may question my presence, but I will be ready to welcome you home upon the completion of our plan.  Son, I can begin to see a glimpse of a “sparkle” in Mary’s eyes.  Even now I am fashioning a new star that will guide worshipers to your new home.  Son, may this be the beginning of many blessed Christmases.”

Did the above conversation really happen?  I don’t know.  But it could have.  But, whether it happened or not, the important thing is that the Son obeyed the desires of His Father’s heart and was born to a virgin named Mary.  Jesus was that “sparkle” in her eyes.  And the plan the Son and the Father had designed before the creation of the world became a reality that has impacted your life and mine. 

So, my friends, Merry Christmas!  Celebrate it with joy!  Share its love with others!  And remember that greatest of gifts – an indescribable one – that God gave to us and laid within that crude manger.  Yes, Jesus is the reason for the season!

 

From the May 2007 Philogian:

There is a collection of psalms that always take on a new meaning for me whenever I am near Jerusalem.  Psalms 121-134 are known as the psalms of ascent, or the pilgrims’ psalms.  They were sung by Jewish pilgrims as they made their way to Jerusalem to celebrate one of the feasts, or to make their sacrifices in the temple.

Now, why are they called the psalms of ascent?  The dictionary defines the word “ascent” as a “going up.”  Now, if you have ever been in Jerusalem, you will know that there is only way to get to that city – and that is by going up.  Jerusalem is a city set upon the hills, in fact, a series of hills and valleys.  So, you literally had to “go up to Jerusalem.” 

The first of these psalms of ascent became crystal clear in my mind while sitting long the ancient steps that bordered the southern wall of the temple mount.  These were steps that Jesus climbed as He entered the temple on various occasions.  Now, let me see if I can paint a word-picture for you of the scene.  Sitting upon those steps you are high above the Kidron Valley which separates you from another hill on the other side of the valley.  Part of that hillside is known as the Mount of Olives.  Yet, in the distance is another towering hill, known today as the Mount of Offense.  It is the place where the United Nations has their offices in Jerusalem.  But, in Bible days, it was the place where Solomon had built altars to the foreign gods his wives worshiped.  It contained many high places. 

Now, let us open our Bibles to Psalm 121.  Picture yourself as a pilgrim, traveling along the Kidron Valley, going up to Jerusalem to present your sacrifice to the Lord.  As you draw nearer to the city you look to your right and see the magnificence of the temple as it shone in the bright sunlight.  On the other hand, you look to your left and see the multitude of temples dedicated to pagan gods and goddesses that dot the hillside.  And, as you travel you ask yourself the following question: I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?  That is an important question, friends.  On one hillside are temples to many foreign gods; on the other hillside is the temple to the God of Israel.  As a pilgrim, from where are you going to draw help and encouragement to sustain you in the rigors of life? 

My friends, that question, voiced so many years ago by travelers going up to Jerusalem, is still an important one for us today.  Where does your help come from?  Upon which hillside are you looking?  Are you hoping to find your strength through your possessions?  Are you finding your encouragement in your work?  Do your recreational activities provide you with a hope for tomorrow?  Or, are you looking toward your relationship with God?  Are your eyes fixed upon Him?  Can you face tomorrow and its opportunities because your hope is on Him? 

Let’s see what direction our pilgrim chooses.  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  What a declaration!  My choice is the living God of Israel, not the defeated gods of the nations!  And the remainder of Psalm 121 is a description of this living God and of His relationship with us.  He is a God who is with us twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.  He is a God who is always alert to our every need.  He is a God who will protect us from harm.  And He is a God who will guide us into our eternal destiny.      

There is an old hymn, written by Ray Palmer, that echoes the thoughts of our pilgrim.  Perhaps you might want to sing it now to re-excite your heart with the thoughts of God.

My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray, Take all my guilt away, O let me from this day Be wholly Thine!

May Thy rich grace impart Strength to my fainting heart, My zeal inspire;
As Thou has died for me, O may my love to Thee Pure, warm, and changeless be, A living fire!

While life’s dark maze I tread And griefs around me spread, Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day, Wipe sorrow’s tears away, Nor let me ever stray From Thee aside.

When ends life’s passing dream, When death’s cold, threatening stream Shall o’er me roll,
Blest Savior, then, in love, Fear and distrust remove; O lift me safe above, a ransomed soul!

 

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