Christ-less Christianity

Loved this quote. Ken

Tullian Tchividjian posts:

“In preparation for my sermon this past Sunday, I re-read the opening lines of Michael Horton’s excellent book Christless Christianity (an absolute must-read for anyone bold enough to handle some right-on-the-money constructive criticism). He writes:

What would things look like if Satan really took control of a city? Over half a century ago, Presbyterian minister Donald Grey Barnhouse offered his own scenario in his weekly sermon that was also broadcast nationwide on CBS radio. Barnhouse speculated that if Satan took over Philadelphia (the city where Barnhouse pastored), all of the bars would be closed, pornography banished, and pristine streets would be filled with tidy pedestrians who smiled at eachother. There would be no swearing. The children would say, “Yes, sir” and “No ma’am,” and the churches would be full every Sunday…where Christ is not preached.

As Horton points out in his book, there is a great difference between moralism and the gospel. We must remember that Christ came first not to make bad people good but to make dead people live. If we forget that, our Christianity will turn out to be Christless.”

The Gospel in a Song

By Shane and Shane - Oliver showed me this very powerful song - be sure to watch the whole thing!

O come, divine Messiah!

I found words to an old Advent Hymn. I like that the words , especially the first two verses and refrain, point both to the first and second Advents (comings of Christ). We await the second, we rejoice in the first! The second is just as sure and the first.

So make sure that this Advent season you meditate on what it means to "wait well!"

O Come Divine Messiah

Lyrics by Pellegrin, Abbé Simon-Joseph

1. O come, divine Messiah! 
The world in silence waits the day 
When hope shall sing its triumph, 
And sadness flee away. 
 
Refrain: 
Dear Savior haste; 
Come, come to earth, 
Dispel the night and show Thy face, 
And bid us hail the dawn of grace. 
O come, divine Messiah! 
The world in silence waits the day 
When hope shall sing its triumph, 
And sadness flee away. 
 
2. O Christ, whom nations sigh for, 
Whom priest and prophet long foretold, 
Come break the captive fetters; 
Redeem the long‐lost fold. 
 
Refrain 
 
3. You come in peace and meekness, 
And lowly will Thy cradle be; 
All clothed in human weakness 
We shall Thy Godhead see. 


Even so, Lord Jesus come! Have a great day of worship today!

I found a recording of it on You Tube of a church choir singing but they only sing the first two verses. Here is another recording that is more professionally done but the pictures that they show only point to the first Advent. I would love to see this hymn redone by Indelible Grace musicians or maybe you have that talent!

Free Advent Songs - and they are really good!

I just downloaded Advent songs!  You can get them for free or pay what you want. 

Here’s a description of the album from Sojourn’s website:
“The emphasis here is on the already/ not-yet tension of Advent, the season of waiting and anticipation before Christmas. Advent comes to us in the darkest season of the year — a season when the nights are long, the days are cold, and we look with anticipation for the return of the warmth in the spring. The songs have both a dark sense of anticipation and glimpses of light dawning in the face of the Christ child.
“As we celebrate this season, we celebrate that our Messiah has come, and we look with longing to the day when he comes again. As St. John says, ‘Amen! Come Lord Jesus.’”

O Holy Night

Our family started last night having Advent worship at 7 PM. We intend to do this every night not matter who is here or what is going on. In preparation, I have been researching on the internet Advent songs, worship material ... Did I tell you we are using the video projector and and the computer which makes it fun and interactive.

In my research I found the following information about one of my favorite hymns: 

The Story Behind O Holy Night

O Holy Night was written by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure in 1847. The music was written by Adolphe Charles Adams.

Placide was known for his poetry, and the lyrics to hte song are certainly poetry. He was approached by his parish priest to write something for the Christmas Mass, and this is what he came up with. He used the Gospel of Luke as his guide, and imagined what witnessing the birth of Jesus was like. He titled it "Cantique de Noel," which has become known in English as "O Holy Night."

The song was performed three weeks after the music and lyrics were finalized at a Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

It spread across the church and France very fast, and was performed in many Catholic services. Later, when Placide left the church, and it was discovered that Adams was a Jew, the heads of the French Catholic Church decreed it "unsuitable" for a Catholic Mass. However, it continued to be popular and sung throughout France.

Legend has it that on Christmas Eve 1871, in the midst of fierce fighting between the armies of Germany and France, during the Franco-Prussian War, a French soldier suddenly jumped out of his muddy trench. Both sides stared at the seemingly crazed man. Boldly standing with no weapon in his hand or at his side, he lifted his eyes to the heavens and sang, "Minuit, Chretiens, c'est l'heure solennelle ou L'Homme Dieu descendit jusqu'a nous," the beginning of "Cantique de Noel." After completing all three verses, a German infantryman climbed out his hiding place and answered with, "Vom Himmel noch, da komm' ich her. Ich bring' euch gute neue Mar, Der guten Mar bring' ich so viel, Davon ich sing'n und sagen will," the beginning of Martin Luther's robust "From Heaven Above to Earth I Come." The story goes that the fighting stopped for the next twenty-four hours while the men on both sides observed a temporary peace in honor of Christmas day. Perhaps this story had a part in the French church once again embracing "Cantique de Noel" in holiday services.

John Sullivan Dwight introduced O Holy Night to America. But he was an old man when on Christmas Eve, 1906, Reginald Fessenden broadcast a man's voice over the airwaves. What he broadcast was the story of the birth of Christ from the Gospel of Luke. Following his reading, he picked up his violin and played O Holy Night - which became the first song ever sent through airwaves.

Now it is a song recognized the world over and sung by many people. It is difficult, musically, because of the range a voice needs to cover all the notes that drop low, and go up to the high A. It can be difficult to play accompaniment for the song because of all the triplets in the music. But it is wonderful when done well, and has been sung for many Christmas Masses and celebrations around the world.

Here are the lyrics - notice especially the last verse. And here is a video of someone who knows the King singing about Him!

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,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul 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!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!

Thought to Ponder

 C. J. Mahaney has edited a book called Worldliness with a team of writers. Bob Kauflin talks about music. Bob warns that a sign that music has become an idol is when our passion for Christ has waned but our passion for music has not. Ponder that for a while.