Shelby County Today

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.

(Note: I wish I could claim originality for this, but I found it in a file in my office, I have had it for many years and it contains some valuable food for thought.)

December 5, 2024 - A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard, when suddenly the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing and stopped, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating woman hit the roof, and the horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection. As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, finger printed, photographed and placed in a holding cell.

After several hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects. He said, I’m very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, shaking your fist at the driver in front of you and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the “choose life” license plate, the “What would Jesus Do?” bumper sticker, the “Follow Me to Sunday School” bumper sticker and the chrome plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk.

Naturally, I assumed you had stolen the car.

It’s something to think about... tbp

Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day at Center Church of Christ or online at www.centerchurchofchrist.com