XYZ

do you remember saying that as a kid? XYZ (examine your zipper) PDQ (pretty darn quick). well, maybe i should still be saying that to myself as an adult. here's a helpful tip for anyone earning their living or fulfilling their calling regularly in front of people... make sure you have a good knowledge of - and you put that knowledge to good use - how to work the devices that hold your pants up (buttons, snaps, zippers, etc.) i'm 33 years old and yet this morning i felt like i was 3 (or 13) when i happened to notice that my suit pants were unzipped. i was sitting next to my wife and it was towards the end of the sermon. what does one do in that type of situation. it's never easy to nonchalantly maneuver a 'zip-up" while remaining seated. oh yeah, and i was on the front row... awkward. my wife just laughed at me. i've actually done this before, um, on the day that i announced our engagement to our church. well, i was able to quickly dart into my office between services and correct the problem. fortunately, i was wearing a suit coat so i don't think anyone noticed. (of course, if they're reading this, they know now.) at least for the next few times before i stand in front of a large group of people i will remember to examine my zipper pretty darn quick.

here's to the situations in life that keep us humble! :-)

Hark! What's a Welkin?

This morning I woke up humming the familiar Christmas hymn "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing".  This song has taken on more meaning for me this year when I came across the complete collection of verses, not usually included in most hymnals.

This kind of Christmas song is my most favorite.  Including the full scope of the gospel, this is what Christmas is all about!  One of my friend's status on facebook recently was "BJ is thinking Christmas isn't about presents, its about a promise made long ago..."  Thank God for His promise not to leave us in our sin, but to draw near to us as Emmanuel, and to give His life as a ransom for many.  So, "Merry Christmas! We have been rescued!"

Below are the full lyrics for Charles Wesley's 1739 song, the first two lines being altered by George Whitfield in 1753 all set to Felix Mendelssohn's 1840 tune.  (See! Co-writing is awesome!)  You can find Wesley's original words and original tune at "Hark, how all the welkin rings".  (For those of you who might be wondering what a welkin is, I didn't know either.  From Old English, it's "the vault of the sky, the firmament.")

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King;

Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”

Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies;

With th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Refrain

Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ, by highest Heav’n adored; Christ the everlasting Lord;

Late in time, behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail th’incarnate Deity,

Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel.

Refrain

Hail the heav’nly Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings.

Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die.

Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.

Refrain

Come, Desire of nations, come, Fix in us Thy humble home;

Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring Seed, Bruise in us the serpent’s head.

Now display Thy saving power, Ruined nature now restore;

Now in mystic union join Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.

Refrain

Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface, Stamp Thine image in its place:

Second Adam from above, Reinstate us in Thy love.

Let us Thee, though lost, regain, Thee, the Life, the inner man:

O, to all Thyself impart, Formed in each believing heart.

Refrain