As a blogger and newspaper columnist in Texas in 2016, I am pretty much free to write what I want and to do so with little risk. About the worst thing that could happen if I offend people is that (1) They would stop reading what I write and (2) The newspapers would stop running the columns of this guy that is causing them such grief. Since I try not to be the source of offense or grief, probably my greatest risk is that readers or newspapers will just get tired of me and send me on my bloggity way.
Not that there is anything wrong with some occasional controversy, you understand. There’s just not a lot of risk in my context. Not so for James Montgomery (1771-1854), an English poet and newspaper editor. Twice imprisoned for sedition as a result of his controversial editorials, he championed the causes of the poor and downtrodden, especially focusing on the abolition of slavery and the exploitation of child chimney sweeps.
However, one of his poems, “Angels from the Realms of Glory,” met little controversy when it was first published on Christmas Eve, 1816.
This is the third in our Life Matters “ADVENTageous” series during December. As you read these words, I invite you to imagine a traditional nativity scene.
Each guest at the scene receives the same invitation: Come and worship, Come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Angels from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o’er all the earth; Ye who sang creation’s story, Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.
Shepherds, in the fields abiding, Watching o’er your flocks by night, God with man is now residing, Yonder shines the infant Light;
Sages, leave your contemplations, Brighter visions beam afar; Seek the great desire of nations, Ye have seen His natal star;
For the final stanza, we move from the ancient nativity to present day worshipers anticipating the Second Coming of Christ.
Saints before the altar bending, Watching long in hope and fear, Suddenly the Lord, descending, In His temple shall appear: Come and worship, Come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Our lives matter so much to God that He came … And will come again. This is the message of Advent: The Coming of the King! As you prepare to celebrate Christmas, I invite you to a sense of wonder. Neither the size of your gathering, the extravagance of your decorations, nor the abundance of your food or gifts (or any lack thereof) is what truly matters.
This is the message of Advent - The coming of the King! Click To Tweet
Luke 2:10-12: But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
How about some good music for a great cause? (Good through December 22)
From April 17-28, 2017, I will be traveling to Ukraine with the Singing Men of North Central Texas. This will be my 4th trip to Ukraine with the Singing Men since 2010. We have seen more than 20,000 people register decisions to become sincere followers of Jesus during these music mission trips.
As members of the Singing Men, we are responsible for our own travel expenses. So, in preparation for the next trip, I’m highlighting the availability of my most recent CD, Distant Music: The Prayer. All proceeds from the sale of this CD will go toward my Ukraine Trip expenses. The regular price is $14.97.
I am offering this for a limited time for $5 off. That is $9.97 with Free Shipping!
To get your discounted copy, click on the add to cart button below. Your item will show up on the shopping cart on the right hand side of the page. Please enter the coupon code ukraine17 and hit the apply button to get your $5 discount. You may then check out.
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All my books in the Amazon Kindle store are on sale for 99 cents! (Good through December 31)
Why “Bible Study” Doesn’t Work: The epic failure of evangelicalism’s favorite discipleship method – and how YOUR CHURCH can do something about it (Regular price – $4.99) –
30 Days of Wisdom (Regular price – $2.99) –
Culture Wars: In search of spiritual Jedi (Regular Price – $4.99) –
Life Matters: Volume 2 (Regular Price – $4.99) –
10 Mistakes Pastorless Churches Make (And Recommendations for Avoiding Them (Regular price is 99 cents, but the price is going to $2.99 January 1) –
