Shelby County Today

December 24, 2024 - Good Morning! It’s Tuesday, December 24. I hope you’ve enjoyed our holiday series “The Twelve Days of Christmas” that concludes today. These little daily thoughts will return on Thursday, January 2.

There are some Christmas songs that really don’t have anything to do with Christmas. “Jingle Bells” doesn’t mention gifts or Santa Claus - it’s just a song about winter fun - but what would Christmas be without it! “Joy to the World” wasn’t inspired by Luke 2, it’s based on the 98th Psalm - but what would Christmas be without it! This morning we focus on a song that is sung all year round, but that most people don’t realize is a Christmas song.

In 1955, Christmas Day fell on a Sunday. Audrey Mieir was in a little church in California that morning, a church decorated with fresh evergreen boughs. The choir loft had been transformed into a stable, and the children of the church had been enlisted to portray the nativity characters. As Audrey sat in her pew, she was overcome by the smells, the sights, the sounds - overcome by the presence of the Spirit of God.

And then, as the simple pageant drew to an end, the pastor rose to his feet, walked to the pulpit, raised his arms, and proclaimed - AND HIS NAME SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL! That was all the inspiration that Audrey needed. She opened to the fly leaf of her Bible and began to write down the lyrics and music of a new song - a song of praise, a song of worship, a song of Christmas.

His name is Wonderful, His name is Wonderful, His name is Wonderful, Jesus my Lord
He is the Mighty King, Master of everything, His name is Wonderful, Jesus my Lord
He’s the Great Shepherd, the Rock of all Ages, Almighty God is He
Bow down before Him, love and adore Him, His name is Wonderful, Jesus my Lord

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called WONDERFUL!

Here’s wishing a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to all our faithful readers.

Meet you back here on January 2,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com

December 23, 2024 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, December 23.

What day was Jesus born in Bethlehem? December 25th, right? Probably not. The Bible doesn’t pinpoint the date of the nativity, but several biblical passages point us to a different part of the calendar. Let’s take a quick look.

The Romans were nothing if not efficient. Their innovations in the areas of urban planning, water systems, road building, etc. are still being used today, two thousand years later. Luke 2 begins by telling us of a census that the Romans were taking. The last thing they would have done would be to schedule that census - which would require people to travel - during the winter, when storms and temperatures would make travel very difficult.

The shepherds are a beloved part of the nativity cast of characters. Traditionally, shepherds would have their flocks in open fields only from April to October. During the rugged weather of late December, those sheep - and those shepherds - would have been safely tucked away in protected camps. The angels in the skies outside Bethlehem would have been proclaiming the good news to empty fields.

Many biblical scholars believe that the birth actually happened in the early fall, perhaps in September, a time of festival in Jerusalem, when multitudes of pilgrims would have been traveling to the area, an area that included Bethlehem. Perhaps that’s the reason there was no room in the inn.

So does any of this really matter? Does it change anything? No. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” That doesn’t change. And that’s what really matters.

Meet you back here tomorrow - for the final devotion in our series “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

David
cindertex50@yahoo.com

December 16, 2024 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, December 16.

This is Day Six of our “Twelve Days of Christmas” series. The final one will come on Christmas Eve. I hope you’re enjoying these little looks at Christmas characters, culture, and carols. This morning we take a look at a carol story with enough drama for a week of devotions.

When you Google the story behind “O Holy Night”, you’ll find lots of interesting information. Here’s a taste -

*It was once banned by the Catholic Church
*On Christmas Eve, 1872, it stopped the French-German War
*During the U.S. Civil War it was a rallying song for abolitionists
*Mariah Carey’s version went platinum, selling over a million units

My favorite part of the story behind this carol happened in 1906. Reginald Fessenden was a scientist who had once worked with the great inventor Thomas Edison. But on Christmas Eve, 1906, he was preparing to unveil an invention of his own. He had fashioned a new kind of generator, a device that could generate, could transmit sound. Today we call it “radio”. On that evening, from his lab in New Jersey, Fessenden spoke into a microphone and was heard by anyone with a wireless radio receiver. At that time, however, that would have been mainly sailors on ships along the Atlantic Seaboard. But these men were accustomed to only hearing a series of clicks, a code, Morse code. On that evening, they heard a voice, a voice reading these words - 

“And it came to pass in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed...”

Imagine being a lonely sailor, away from home on the holidays, and suddenly, out of nowhere, hearing a voice - it must have seemed like a Christmas miracle! For the first time in the history of the world, sound was being transmitted through the air, was being “broadcast”. And when Reginald Fessenden finished reading from Luke 2, he picked up his violin, and began to play a beautiful melody that had been composed 60 years before, composed to accompany these words - 

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining. It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining, ‘til He appeared and the soul felt it’s worth
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night, O holy night, O night divine

When you listen to the radio today, or stream a video, or search the internet - when you access any broadcast media - remember that the first sound to go out over the airways was this song, a song of hope, a song of Christmas.

Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com

Celebrate the Joy of Christmas at First Methodist Church of Center’s Candlelight Gathering beginning at 6pm.

December 12, 2024 - The holiday season is a time for community, reflection, and celebration, and what better way to come together than at the 6PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Gathering hosted by the First Methodist Church of Center! This annual event, now in its fifth year, invites friends, families, and neighbors to unite on the downtown square in front of the historic Shelby County Courthouse for a time of carols, fellowship, and joy.

This festive gathering promises a memorable experience for all ages. The evening will be filled with the sounds of familiar Christmas carols, bringing the true spirit of the season to life as the community comes together to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own candle to light as the evening progresses, and hot apple cider will be available for everyone before the event begins. Pastor Malcolm Monroe expressed his excitement about this event, saying:

“First Methodist Church of Center is overjoyed to be able to provide this festive, community-wide, candlelight gathering for the fifth consecutive year. We invite everyone to come early, enjoy the cider, and visit with friends from across the community as we unite together on this special evening."

The evening will culminate with a heartwarming rendition of “Silent Night”, sung by candlelight, creating a peaceful and beautiful moment that everyone will remember.

In case of inclement weather, the event will unfortunately be canceled, with no alternative service planned. So, be sure to keep an eye on the forecast, and if the weather is favorable, bundle up and join us for a magical evening!

While Santa Claus won’t be making an appearance (he’ll be busy delivering toys to children around the world), this event still promises plenty of holiday cheer for the whole family.

If you have any questions or need more details about the event or the First Methodist Church, feel free to contact Rev. Malcolm Monroe at the church office: (936) 598-2707, or visit the church’s website at www.CenterFirst.org.