Resolutions and events for 2014

Hello, happy end of 2013, and a welcome to 2014.

Everyone has New Year's Resolutions and as do I and personally would like to share a few with you

1. I really want to get more involved with my church and get into the lay ministry at the UMC. Spread god's word with sermons and messages.

2. Lose about 60 pounds before Aug. 6

3. Take my trip to Austin to see my long-time friend

4. Just live like there is no tomorrow, because you never know when your time is up.

Big Events coming up in 2014

February - You got the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

February 11 - 27th birthday

April - I'm hoping to see my friend down in Austin, Texas where we will be celebrating our 25th year of friendship!

August 6 - 13 - I'll be live from AC/OC, NJ

And some other stuff down the road.

Look, it may be the last day of 2013, but we all know that every day is the first day of the rest of our lives. We got many dreams and discoveries to be made. Just because it's a year more, doesn't mean life is over.

Happy New Year Everyone and enjoy the ball drop!

~ Joshua

Christmas Eve Message: Our Ultimate Gift

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." - Isaiah 7:14

--

Hello all and I hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas eve,

My journal entry is in gold today as we celebrate the arrival of our ultimate gift.

---

Prelude:

I wonder, have you all seen MASH? There is an episode called, "Death Takes A Holiday." It combines all the aspects of the nativity of Christ, scrooge, along with remembering that Christmas is a time of renewal.

The story begins with all of the MASH personnel receiving their gifts from home only to be notified by Klinger that the food that they ordered for their holiday party with the Korean children would not come. So in the spirit of giving, the MASH personnel gave their food from home, however Major Winchester only gave over a small can of sardines despite getting 4 large packages from home (hence the Ebenezer Scrooge reference).

Later in the episode, he takes the chocolate and other items of note to a Korean orphanage, the man who ran the orphanage happily accepted the gift. Winchester said that the gift must remain: "anonymous" as it was an old family tradition.

The next day was Christmas and everyone was ready for the festivities to begin. However, a soldier was brought in from the field who was allegedly left out in the cold. Major Houlihan rushed to the soldier to check him. As BJ and Hawkeye were readying themselves for the party, they were called upon by Houlihan to check the soldier. They set up the operating room for him and rushed him in.

During the surgery, Houlihan said it was no use and they would have to just let him go. But BJ had another idea that Houlihan initially objected to but agreed to because she felt the same way BJ did about keeping him alive long enough to not have the soldier's kids remember Christmas as, "the day their daddy died."

Meanwhile, everyone was having fun at the holiday party except for Winchester because he was being a total scrooge about the can of sardines he gave over. Then Winchester was notified that his candy shipment to the orphanage was sold to the black market by the owner. He took the owner and angrily demanded that he get the candy back. Klinger was on the other hand listening in. The man said he couldn't because the money was gone. He pleaded forgiveness but he emphasized that it would've brought great joy to the children for a few moments but... what he sold it for was enough rice and cabbage to feed the children for a full month.

Winchester realized what the man had did was completely unselfish and then said: "It's not appropriate to give one dessert when he hasn't had dinner." He was incredibly distraught about his selfishness and retired to his tent.

Meanwhile, back in the operating room, Hawkeye, BJ, Houlihan were doing the best they could to keep the man alive past Christmas. Father Mulcahy joined the group after being alerted by Colonel Potter about the man's moribund condition.

Klinger, who overheard that spat, brought dinner to Winchester and claimed that the source of the dinner was to remain "anonymous" as it was an "old family tradition." Winchester remembered what he had said to the owner of the orphanage. He turned to Klinger and said: "Thank you, Max." Then Klinger replied with, "Merry Christmas... Charles."

Back in the operating room, it was 11:30pm, and they were incredibly close to delaying his death long enough to go past Christmas. However, the soldier's pulse was lost and BJ demanded more surgery but Hawkeye said: "No... It's over, let's let him rest." Houlihan said when it came to death... there was no band, no nothing... She worked on getting the certificate of death but then Hawkeye came up with a brainstorm to fix the situation. He saw the clock, opened it, push the big hand past 12 and said: "Look he made it... Time of death, 12:05, December 26." Houlihan didn't like the idea of "falsifying the record" however Mulcahy calmed her saying: "Christmas should be thought of as a time of birth."

As they came out knowing they missed the Christmas party for the children, Colonel Potter dressed as Santa said they were "good little boys and girls." He had a gift for them. A Korean boy held up a plate and said: "Fudge," Potter said it was the last four piece. Each one took a piece and BJ said: "Merry Christmas."

--

The ultimate gift we receive at Christmas time is a very special gift and it comes from one source, the Lord and most high above.

This gift is in our possession every Christmas and stays with us throughout the year.

--

It's the start of the liturgical year and its the same message every year... the same message... Mary and Joseph, No room at the inn, the virgin birth.. yeah we get that... but isn't it important that we hear this message: The answer is a resounding YES.

People, whether you know it or not, this is the most important message of the year, and its message reaches to all Christians of the world.

It's the greatest news next to Easter and we will get to that next message as spring comes along.

--

People, don't sit there like bumps on a log during the very long night... Get up and go to a candlelight service, it doesn't matter what denomination you are, just go there, and be apart of a road to Christ's birth because there would be no Christmas without Christ in it.

--

Enjoy everything tonight, family, friends, drinks, food, egg nog, cookies, you name it. But remember, Christ has a very huge part in Christmas and you should be quite thankful for such.

--

Thank you to all my friends and family this Christmas season. Remember you and yours this holiday.

Advent XXII - 4 Candles: The Post-Advent Sermon

 "Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." - Matthew 24:30

---

Today's Sermon is a Post-Advent Sermon about pretty much everything...

Let's begin with Herod...

---
 
Biography of Herod:

King Herod was born in 73/74 BCE (in an unknown location). He was the client king of the Roman Governate of Judea. He was described as a "madman who murdered his own family, a great many rabbis, and jews" and also was prepared to commit any crime to make sure nothing came between him and power.

Herod was a power hog but as a client king, he was still subordinate to the Emperor of the Roman Mandate. That's if you didn't know.

---

Back in Herod's days as the king, he ruled the land like a madman, and no matter how much power he got, he never thought it was enough. When he heard about Jesus, he was really angry about it and disturbed. When the wise men came to Herod to seek the new king, he wasn't there, but Herod sent them to Bethlehem saying: "When you have found the child... notify me because I shall worship him as well."

Turns out, Herod wasn't out to worship Jesus, he was out to destroy him after the wise men were warned in a dream not to return to Herod. This is what started the massacre of the innocents. Apparently according to scholars, only 2 innocents were killed. Many reject the notion that Herod did that. But wait, I totally believe in the bible, he did more damage then people think. He was out to "kill Christmas"

King Herod was known as "The Great"... I don't know what was so great about him. He enslaved people to build stadiums and expand his rule. According to legend, one of the stadiums he built could fit over 380,000 people in it.

Was Herod real? Yes, a coin was found with Herod etched on it and it was confirmed in the 17th century by scholars in England. Also the remains of a broken sarcophagus was found as well.

So what do the Grinch, Herod, and Scrooge have in common? They all hated Christmas except the Grinch and Scrooge eventually started to like the holiday because of all the good that came out of it in the end. Herod never wanted it to exist.

---

Herod nearly killed Christmas... had it happened? Christmas would've never existed and the world would be full of sin and hatred. My word.

---

A "Herod": A brutal dictator who usurps power, expands "the kingdom", oppresses people, kills his own, and murders for the "thrill of it."

There are modern age and definitely past "Herods" in this world: Hitler, Qaddafi, Mao, Tito, Stroessner, Il-Sung, Jong-il, Jong-un, Stalin, Pot, Amin, Pinochet, Duvalier and Son, Hussein, and Charles Taylor. The death count exceeds well over 65,000,000 (That's as much as World War II)
 
These are just a few of the examples of the "Herods" of the world.

---

How about the three wise men? Their names were Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar. All 3 were scholars from the East of Israel and had gifts for Jesus upon their arrival. A Greek manuscript that was found confirmed the names of the three wise men (the manuscript was dated in the 500s).

The question is: Were they real?

Yes, apparently John of Hildesheim found the 3 tombs of the 3 kings, finding the True Cross and other relics. He brought them to Queen Helen in the early 15th century.

The commemoration of the magi come on Jan. 6 as the epiphany of the Lord begins.

---

As we close Advent and prepare to go into Christmas, we all realize that there is a "Herod" out there in the world trying to brutalize and oppress the people they rule. Had Herod found Jesus and killed him, there would be no Christmas.

Christmas is here to stay and it's the all important time of the liturgical year.

---

Christmas is a time of giving, sharing, being with members of our family, singing carols, being happy, and rejoicing for the birth of our savior.

We pause to take time out to rejoice with our families, eat good food, laugh, recharge, give gifts, and enjoy the day/night.

---

The Christmas Eve service is one of my favorite services next to the Easter Sunday service. We have 3 services (5:30 - Kids 'n Fam, 7:30 - Contemporary Service, and then the Candlelight Service, aka the "All-Star Game" of services which begins at 10:30 and runs to midnight)

It is one of the most popular services that helps the church run into the green because everyone is pretty much in a giving mood.

---

Well folks, I'm ready? Are you? LET US REJOICE! AS OUR SAVIOR ARRIVES SOON!!!!!

Advent XIV and XV - Growing up and being on the outside (A Sunday Sermon)

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:28-30

I made it through work and now it's 12 days of rest...

Well Journal, I went to Brian's bachelor party and I was on the outside looking in.

And I am trying to figure out what was going on between the arguing with Brian's brother Billy about Joe Flacco.... to me not even taking a sip of any alcoholic beverage (much less even ordering one)... to me just leaving right then and there.

Last night, I didn't certainly feel like my old self... You know, the old self that just wants to have a good old time and keep it real with my silliness. But, it seems like my new self wanted to just keep it low tones and that's the way I did for most of the night and I certainly felt out of place.

I have a strict reasoning for not drinking and many of you heard of it. Sure, I mean, there's responsibility but there's also something actuality and reality. I just don't touch the stuff anymore, just like me and coffee, we don't go together. I don't see being drunk as funny and laughable.

I really didn't have much to talk about to anyone. I met Rich, Billy, Eric, Andrew, and some Howie Long look alike last night. Just did my own thing.

To be frank, this was definitely an event for me that told me that I was growing up, my friends were getting married, and life was changing rapidly.

As I gave the tip the waitress and said thank you to her, she smiled and said: Are you the DD? I said: Yes, I'm my own designated driver. I don't touch the stuff.

Brian kind of pleaded for me to have drink and then stay but I declined because bar hopping just wasn't my thing. It really isn't.

I walked outside and I said to myself: "I just don't feel like part of a group anymore. Times are changing and changing fast."

You know, as we grow up further in our lives, times really do change, things really do change. But it does say in Joshua 1:9 - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

And he has been there for me a lot. He said to me: "Life is changing, you make the best of every situation, you learn to make the right decisions."

I wasn't trying at all to be a grinch that night. As a matter of fact, I wasn't. It just was held on a night when I was just really tired and didn't have the energy to really go do anything plus, compared to them, I was woefully undressed.

I don't own a sweater much less any "really nice apparel"

The Waterfront Hotel. I gave it a 21 on TripAdvisor because the food's good, service is fine, but it's... just too odd of a place. I walked in and I was like: Are you kidding me?

I usually like to rate stuff on tripadvisor and so far I've written almost 250 articles ranging from great to downright venomous.

So as I left and they worked on the bill, I decided to go over to my girlfriend's to talk with her for a few minutes. I drove down 40 and kept my radio off and as I was going down Edmonson Avenue, I noticed that I was going through "The back door" to get to her house and I remembered the day at Brian and I went through that road to take a business meeting (usually to talk about women, sports, cars, or just vent)... I also remember... driving past that road and seeing Joanna's road one year ago coming home from last year's advent service.

Back to the present, I stopped by, and I noticed that Gabe and Tommy were over for a bit. Tommy asked where I was and I said: "A party" and he did what a typical 4-year old does: Ask questions and be silly.

Now I headed downstairs to talk to Joanna, the first words out of my mouth when I sat on the couch were: "I grew up today," and "I was the outsider," I think she understood what I was saying... that was until Tommy started crying about not being allowed down.

Tommy was upset that I came over and "took Joanna away" from him. Now I started to feel bad because it seems more and more I unintentionally rip people away from others. Tommy's emotions settled down when Joanna brought him down and started flipped through the TV channels eventually settling on switching between the Heisman presentation and the Golden Girls.

I just kept thinking about what was next in life for me. What plan did god have in place for me? I know my plan was going to be fine and personally, it was just when and where the shoe was going to drop.

But then I remembered a date: November 9, 2013... When I was readily accepted into the Frazier Family by the look of one picture:

----

Things have definitely changed, I can't say for the better, nor the worse. But things are changing in a lot of ways and I know in the long term, lots more things are going to be changing.

Today, was just a sliver of what's to come. God's prepping me for that future and I know that when the day comes, I'm going to be apart of something much bigger.

~ Joshua

Advent VI - You can thank the 3 wise men for the gift giving...

"May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
May his foes bow down before him,and his enemies lick the dust.
May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles, render him tribute and may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts. May all kings fall down before him, all nations give him service." - Psalm 72:8-11

The three wise men brought gifts to the lord: Gold (From Melchior, a Persian Scholar), Frankincense (From Caspar, a Indian Scholar), and Myrrh (From Balthazar, an Arabian Scholar). Those gifts were completely befitting of a king, wouldn't you say.

In today's society, we have gift giving as well.

Economically speaking from 2006 to 2013, we've spent more than $46 billion in toys and gifts. The average parents will spend on average, at least $500 on toys and gifts for their children.

Gift cards have been the norm lately - gift card buying is up more than 2900% since 2005 because you know, kids can buy what they want nowadays.

So here's what my parents would do, typically, we would get a few gifts and $100. Then the money just keeps adding up as we get presents from our family members.

We would go out shopping the day after Christmas and the malls are usually full and crazy with returns and what not. It's amazing what you see people returning, some of these gifts are great looking gifts but I don't understand why they are returning them.

Today, we seem to be more of a society ran by the notions of greed, unlike the wise men, who brought their gifts out of love. We need to remember what Christmas is really all about. This is about Christ's birth.

Just remember, that's what it's all about.

Advent V - The Christmas Candlelight Service: More the All-Star Game or the Super Bowl?

"On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples: A feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.
 
On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, The web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever.
 
The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces; The reproach of his people he will remove
from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken.

On that day it will be said: “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!
 
This is the LORD for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”
 
For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain." (Isaiah 25:6-10)

---

Good evening everyone,
 
I got to tell you: The Church year is like a baseball season, you have your 4 quarters of the season (40 games apiece) and then your offseason (where summer deficits in the budget are normal and due to impending vacations that people take).

Advent is the start of the season, Epiphany is your 2nd quarter, Lent is your 3rd quarter, and Easter is your 4th quarter, and Pentecost/Kingdomtide is your offseason.

But in between, you should have an all-star game correct??? Well, to be frank, we don't really have an all-star break in between our church year. So this service, I can say is the All-Star Game mainly because of the fact that we really haven't begun the year just yet.

At Catonsville UMC, you got 3 services:

First you got your Family Service which begins at 5:30pm... Which is sort of like the futures game. The kids are more involved than that of the parents. They are the future of this world, am I not correct?

Second, you got your Contemporary Service which begins at 8:00pm... Which is the homerun derby which some glitz and glamour thrown into the service. Usually Pastor Mark will have a "HOMERUN" of a sermon to talk about.

And finally, you got your Candlelight Service which begins at 10:45pm. Which is your all-star game which has the choir involved, the church is full, candles are handed out for the climax, and at the end is a big presentation of the hallelujah chorus which is the big slam at the end of the service.

So pretty much you can say this is the all-star game of services because it's held at night. There's a solemn yet excited atmosphere as we wait the coming of our lord and savior! As he is the MVP and the eternal world champion and defender of faith. He will always defend his people from the bounds and forces of evil.

Christians, we are ALL APART of the Lord Jesus Christ's all-star team. We all get our turn at bat and we will all have a spot at his heavenly feast at the end.

That's my advent blog for the night. Good night and have a pleasant tomorrow.

Advent IV - The Ultimate Hymns of Christmas: It's that feeling of renewal

"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;" - Ephesians 5:19

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Hymns#sthash.fKRQHzLU.dpuf

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Hymns#sthash.fKRQHzLU.dpuf

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Hymns#sthash.fKRQHzLU.dpuf

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Hymns#sthash.fKRQHzLU.dpuf

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Hymns#sthash.fKRQHzLU.dpuf

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Hymns#sthash.fKRQHzLU.dpuf

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Hymns#sthash.fKRQHzLU.dpuf

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Hymns#sthash.fKRQHzLU.dpuf

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Hymns#sthash.fKRQHzLU.dpuf

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Hymns#sthash.fKRQHzLU.dpuf

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Hymns#sthash.fKRQHzLU.dpuf

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Hymns#sthash.fKRQHzLU.dpuf

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Hymns#sthash.fKRQHzLU.dpuf

With Christmas Eve steadily approaching, we look at what I like to call "ULTIMATE HYMNS"

Everyone has a Christmas Carol they love and one they probably hate singing. But wait, we're not supposed to hate any of the hymns that are sung at an Advent or Christmas Eve service. These hymns are joyful sounding and bring about a major message.

So let's look at some examples.

One of my favorite hymns of all time is: "O Come All Ye Faithful", it is quite possibly one of the most ultimate hymns of the Christmas season. Sometimes when I am up there with the choir, I just want to raise up my arms and get people to sing louder because I want the world to hear us because I want the song to reach out to all the believers and nonbelievers knowing that someone is here for them and the signal has been sent from afar. The signal of Christ's birth has been sent. The night is filled with joy, you just have that feeling of renewal, and you feel like there's just a great light sent out to you while you walk into that church or for me: when you are processing down the aisle to go to the choir seating.

You just want to smile knowing that it is a joyous night in our nation.

The song always seems to kick off that Christmas Eve Candlelight Service and it's a great song to kick off with mainly because of how many people are present at the time at the church (450-500+). Sometimes that hymn brings me to tears because it's a song of hope and asking all who is faithful to come adore the birth of our lord.

The line: "Sing choirs of angels..." Yes, we are the choir of angels singing in exaltation. Singing of a wonderful message that is to be delivered to all the nations. The power of the hymn is so great, it just sends an INCREDIBLE SHOCKWAVE due to the power of our voices needed to sing this song.

The history of the song was that it was written by John Francis Wade in the 18th century. Not many people but also John Reading holds a source to it, Handel and Gluck as well. Plus two Portuguese kings as well claim authorship. So claimed authorship has not been clearly discovered yet but many composers and musicians claim it. We may never know who really wrote it. But it is the most popular hymn for the Christmas Eve services all around the world. It's considered the #1 hymn of Christmas. My music director for choir plays it especially well giving it a nice long intro into the song to get everyone into the spirit of the service.

If you didn't know this... it was supposed to be done in all latin. Hence why the tune was initially called "Adeste Fideles."

---

My second favorite hymn of all time has to be: "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" It's a pretty popular hymn amongst children, if you didn't know that. (2,500 children were polled by the New York Times and they picked this tune as their favorite)

The original tune was conceived by Charles Wesley who initially wrote it as a very solemn song... not much power... not much of anything... he really didn't like it, to be frank. He was a somber man. 120 years later, William H. Cummings, a composer said: "You know what, we really need make this tune more joyful, more powerful." Initially, Cummings wanted to "crash the song" by putting it in line with "Christ the Lord is risen today." But a friend of his said: "Hey, this isn't going to work... So why don't we just... rewrite his tune" and the brilliant tactic worked. It's considered one of the greatest "preparation" carols of all time.

I love this hymn for several reasons. Number one, Pastor Mark regularly jokes about how does one "Hark!"? Even I don't know that. Number two, it's a great preparation hymn for the coming of our lord. It's also reminds us that the angels above are singing with us, our friends above are making sure our message is clear.

---

Another favorite would have to be "O come, O come Emmanuel." As Advent kicks off with this song (truth is, we should be singing it on the 4th and final Sunday of Advent).

Now the way we sing it, it just doesn't blend correctly at the end. Lutheran hymnals usually hold the "Emmanuel", but Methodist book of worship has them not holding it, and instantly doing what I like to call "the jump."

The tune of the song was conceived in the mid-19th century by John Mason Neale and his friend Henry S. Coffin from the ecclesiastical text of the 8th or 12th century writing "Veni, Veni, Emmanuel." The hymn has been covered over 49,000 times, making it the most covered hymn in all of history.

It's one of my favorite mainly because it is the start of the new Christian Liturgical Year. It's that time of preparation and that feeling of renewal come Christmas time.

---

Handel's mastery of "The Messiah" turned heads when he did the "Hallelujah chorus." The Hallelujah Chorus always is popular in films (when someone did something really bizarre that worked) or just a song that says "Hallelujah! our savior is here!!!"

We always sing this last at our Christmas Eve service because we want to send our congregation out knowing that they have been filled with the glory of Jesus in their hearts.

---

People, Christmas Hymns are about joy, renewal, and the coming of our savior.

Sing with adoration and exaltation!

Advent III - The Christmas Star: Fact or Fiction?

 

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this." - ISAIAH 9:6-7

--
 
Everyone's been asking if the Christmas star in Bethlehem was the real deal or if it was just a figment of our imaginations.

If you are a christian, you should know very well that the Star of Bethlehem was the real thing and I personally believe it was.

Astronomers believe the brightness of the Christmas Star came from an extremely powerful supernova but they also believe that the the Christmas Star was a truthful signal that welcomed the birth of Jesus into this world.

While atheist and agnostic groups try to play down the Christmas Star as real (some even believe that scholars were just "drunk" while looking at the stars). We as a christian family know that the star was sent as a signal to welcome our savior at Christmas time.

It's one of the brightest stars in the cosmos and it will come again this Christmas, signaling the arrival our king who will save us from sin and tyranny.

And believe me when I say this: It's fact enough.

Advent II - Christmas Eve Differences

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. " - Philippians 3:20-21

With 23 more days until Christmas, I figure I'd talk to you guys about Christmas Eves at my previous church, St. Paul Lutheran - Catonsville and my current church Catonsville UMC. This isn't a criticism blog, this is how some churches are different than others.

Every Wednesday prior to Christmas eve was an Advent soup supper at St. Paul... we were always involved in that and always went to the services that followed. Typically, you grab yourself about 2 or 3 bowls of soup, and from a certain period of time (For about 25-30 minutes) they will take hymn requests in the sanctuary until 7:30.

My family went to St. Paul for a long time and my personal favorite service was going to the Christmas Eve service. There were 2 services, there was a 7:30pm family service where they typically got the kids got involved and 10:45pm, which was the candlelight service (that if I am not mistaken did have communion involved). Both services were extremely festive, sometimes my grandparents would even join us. The garments and vestments were white and blue and all the candles were lit. The 7:30pm service would always feature the children's choir and 10:45 would feature the "big choir."

Now between services, they would have an "intermission" with refreshments, cookies, and treats, we'd sing happy birthday to Jesus and the congregation would laugh, greet visitors, talk, and have a good old time. By 10:20-30pm, everyone would start making their way up for service 2 which was the "grand" service of them all. Many glorious hymns would be sung and readings would be performed. Of course, there'd be a sermon and Pastor Morthole, would actually make it a funny sermon because it was a time to be happy and joyful. Pastor Stephen would do the same thing.

---

While Catonsville UMC used just about the same amount of glitz and glamour that St. Paul brought to the table in terms of services. Catonsville UMC didn't have soup suppers (which is quite alright...) and a party in between. But you know what, Christmas eve for them brings THREE services.

5:30pm is typically for the children and parents.

7:30pm is the contemporary service. Which from what I understand is the longest service (lasts nearly 90 minutes)

10:45pm is what I like to call the "Super Bowl" service. The church is full, the choir sings five songs, and Pastor Mark talks of a humorous sermon typically something about a gift.

The vestments are gold and the atmosphere is festive with lights turned down. Everyone's given a candle for the candlelight portion of the service.

---

It doesn't matter what church you go to for a candlelight service. It's a beautiful service nonetheless, it's a festive atmosphere, and always wonderful to be apart of.

Advent I - 1 Candle: Happy New Liturgical Year - A Sunday Sermon

"O come, O come, Emmanuel... Shall come to thee, oh Israel."
- Words from the Hymn "O come, O come, Emmanuel."

Christians from far and wide are celebrating the new year, the new liturgical year that is along the joyous days that approaching. Today we celebrate the beginning of Advent and the expectant preparation of the coming of our good lord Jesus Christ. Advent is a time of great joy, expectation, and waiting. As we count down the days to Christmas and his birth.

The reason why I am writing in a blue color is because this is what the color of the vestments and coverings are in today's church (either that or purple). I'm much more aligned to blue because I've seen it so much more. There is a much more growing movement within the Methodist Church that says: Why use purple, that's for lent... Let's go with blue to talk about the happiness of the year.

It says in Isaiah 9:6 - "And shall be named... the Prince of Peace." Jesus was called so many things: Wonderful Counselor, The Almighty Father, The Prince of Peace, Immanuel... So many different names. Advent also lights the 4 candles on the advent wreath and the final white candle at Christmas.

The meaning of the wreath is this:

The Wreath: The wreath itself means "victory" as Christ's victory over sin so He can save us. The Advent Wreath has 4 or 5 candles that are arranged in a circle symbolizing Christ's eternity, as a circle has no beginning and has no end, it is a symbol for God, Who is eternal and thus without beginning or end. The evergreens mean He is "ever with us," they are usually pine branches or holly that are used as a base that represents anticipation, newness, renewal and His everlastingness. The red berries of the holly represent the shedding of Christ's blood. 

The 4 candles represent the following: Hope, Preparation, Joy, and Love. Today we light the Candle of Hope for we know this is his promise of hopes and dreams a better future and tomorrow. 

"We can have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises He made to us. Our hope comes from God." - (Romans 15:12-13)

All faiths will celebrate in so many ways. We sing christmas carols and joyous hymns and hear festive sermons that talk about the prophecies of his coming. This is a festive and JOYOUS time for each and every one of us.

As we light the candle of hope today, remember, there is hope for each and everyone of us out there, Christians, Jews, Muslims, whatever faith you may be...


Today, we begin the season of Advent and we all have the hope with the new year on its way.