Reflections of Christmas
Judy Piepkorn – Mission Grants Committee
The Christmas tree is a beloved symbol of the Christmas season, stimulating our senses. Our eyes behold the beautiful dark, green color of the evergreen tree. As we decorate the tree, our fingers feel the soft green needles with prickly tips and, throughout the house, the fresh, clean evergreen fragrance permeates every room. The tree is adorned with sparkling lights, a Christmas star, candy canes and gifts.
Oh Christmas Tree
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree! How lovely are thy branches!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree! How lovely are thy branches!
Upon your boughs the candles shine, telling us of love sublime.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How lovely are thy branches!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree! You point us to the Savior
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree! There lying in a manger
He guides us and protects us too, Forgives our sins and makes us new
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree! The Christmas Star rests on you.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree! The shepherds crook adorns you.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree! The Angels came to greet you
With the Good News of Jesus’ birth, the greatest gift for all the earth
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree! The shepherds crook adorns you.
Before electricity, candles adorned the boughs of the evergreen tree and with the advent of electricity came colorful, sparkling, lights woven between the boughs. These lights represent the “Light of the World” which came down to us men on Christmas. Simeon declared in Luke 2:30-31: “ For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
The light has come to the world that it might be proclaimed to those brothers and sisters who have developmental disabilities, through mission projects such as, Developing Religious Life Curriculum for God’s People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, for the blind, through Opening an Outreach Center, Ft. Collins, CO – Lutheran Blind Mission, for students and professors, through University Lutheran Chapel, Boulder, CO and to immigrants who do not know the Messiah, through Mission Outreach to Immigrants from Ethiopia (Aurora, CO).
Oh Holy Night
O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining, It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world, In sin and error pining, Till He appeared and the soul felt His worth,
The thrill of hope, The weary world rejoices, For yonder brings a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees, Oh, hear the angel’s voices
Oh night divine, Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine, Oh night, Oh night divine.
The Christmas star atop our beautiful tree recalls the first Christmas night. The star rested in the heavens over the place where the Christ child was born. Luke 2:7 tells us “ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the in.”
Perhaps some of those affected by mission grants such as Trinity/HOPE and Kings Camp – Lutheran Valley Retreat who feel the pangs of hunger or the pain of living in foster homes can receive the loving care they need and come to know the Savior who has experienced all of their pain and more. Our grants supporting Scholarship Assistance to Students Preparing for Ethnic Ministry Expansion for the Ministry of the Lutheran Hispanic Missionary Institute (LHMI), El Paso, TX. Reach out to a variety of cultural and ethnic groups where life can be difficult and understanding in short supply. These students find themselves willing to do the Lord’s work but unable to finance their education. This Savior born in meager surroundings knows their needs and their hearts desire to serve Him.
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
God rest ye merry, gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior, Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan’s power, When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.
From God our heavenly Father, A blessed angel came.
And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same
How that in Bethlehem was born the The Son of God by name
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.
“Fear not, then”, said the angel, “Let nothing you affright
This day is born a Savior, Of a pure virgin bright
To free all those who trust in him, From Satan’s power and might.”
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.
Now to the Lord sing praises, All you within this place
And with true love and brotherhood, Each other now embrace
This holy tide of Christmas, Doth bring redeeming grace
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy
The Candy Cane is a symbol of the shepherds crook and represents the shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem to whom the Good News was first given by the angels. Luke 2: 10 & 11 announces to the shepherds, “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’.”
In the past, those affected by the grant Veterans of the Cross have been the messengers of God to bring Good News to many in this world. Today God is using pastors and missionaries throughout the world to bring that Good News to our brothers and sisters in the Rocky Mountain District through RMD – Debt Assistance, to Ghana through Missionary Household Setup – LBT and to Togo and South Africa through Training Pastors for Gospel Outreach in Africa. God has allowed us to share in these mighty ministries through our Mites that many more may know the Lord of Heaven and Earth. At this Christmas season, let us remember our grant recipients by the generous giving of our Mites and praying for them.
Hymn # 393 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
Infant holy, Infant lowly, For His bed a cattle stall,
Oxen lowing, Little knowing, Christ the child is Lord of all
Swiftly winging, Angels singing. Bells are ringing, Tidings bringing
Christ the child is Lord of all! Christ the child is Lord of all!
Flocks were sleeping, Shepherds keeping Vigil till the morning new
Saw the glory, Heard the story, Tidings of a Gospel true
Thus rejoicing, Free from sorrow, Praises voicing, Greet the morrow
Christ the child was born for you! Christ the child was born for you!
Prayer: Dear Savior of the Nations, you came to us from heaven to bring good news to everyone. Help us to love you with all our heart and soul and mind and use us to love our neighbors across the globe that they may hear the Good News of salvation and be brought to faith by the working of your Holy Spirit. Throughout Advent and the coming year give us your peace and enable us to be used by you for the expansion of your Kingdom. To you, the greatest Gift, be all glory and honor, forever and ever. Amen.
