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The 15th century church sang only dark, somber songs usually written in Latin. When Christmas rolled around each year, songs of joy and happiness were not allowed in the church. To overcome this problem, the people took the singing of Christmas songs to the streets of jolly old London town. Soon, the waites, the night watchmen of that time, would be singing God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen as they walked the streets of London.
Even Charles Dickens would include the song in his classic A Christmas Carol. This song was popular with the people because of a very strong message-one we desperately need today. Each Christmas, we greet each other with the word, merry, meaning happy. Back in the Middle Ages, the word "merry" meant great and mighty. For example, Robin Hood's merry men might be better understood as mighty men. Then, there's the word "rest." The meaning back then was keep or make. These original meanings would be clearer today with the addition of a modern comma. Thus, the true meaning of the song is "God make you mighty, gentlemen," which is a message for back then and a message for today.
So many, at Christmas time, will never hear or see the true reason for this holiday which is Christ's birth. The activities, the distractions, the lack of time and money, will rob most of this important message. They will be deceived into thinking it's just another Merry Christmas, and the New Year will bring more heartache and pain. We, as mighty men and women, can make a difference this Christmas by living our faith before them. Amid the holly and the tinsel, we can tell them that Christ was born to die and that, in Him, we might live forever. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen is more than just a Christmas carol. It's our rallying song to show the world that, at Christmas time, things aren't always what they appear to be.
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- As long as you fail to identify and forgive offenders and offenses, you will be shackled to your past. Unforgiveness will keep the pain alive, pick at the open sore, and keep it from healing. There is another alternative. You can forgive the person who hurt you and get on with your life. Forgiveness opens the prison door and sets you free from your past.
There is a piece of music we associate with Memorial Day, Veterans' Day and military funerals. It's a bugle call that brings tears to our eyes with its mournful notes and its call to the end of day. "Taps" has been around since the time of the Civil War, but have you ever wondered how it began?
- Obviously there is nothing wrong with many of the customs associated with Thanksgiving. Visiting relatives, turkey dinners, football games and even special bargains at the stores are not bad in themselves. Actually, the enjoyment of these things is further cause for thankfulness to God. Some people find it hard to be thankful because of the suffering and difficulties they have experienced. Life can be very difficult but if we lose the ability to be grateful because of our suffering, we double our loss. It is also good to remember that prosperity is often a greater threat to gratitude than hardship.
- In simple terms let me put it this way: Go to the Holy Spirit and the reason is Ephesians 5:20
Featured Offer from Songtime
by Jimmy DeYoung
Songtime is one of the few radio programs that features Biblical prophecy from leading sources and authorities on the subject. Regularly featured on the prophecy edition of Songtime each Wednesday is Jimmy DeYoung. This month, Songtime is featuring his exciting, timely resource, the DVD “Ready to Rebuild – Revisited.”
This is a remastered edition of the best-selling video in which Jimmy explores the preparations of the Third Temple, including: A perspective of the Temple Past, The Program in Prophecy of the Temple Future, and the Prospects for the Temple Present.
Now join Jimmy as he takes a look back on the plans they made 20 years ago, and the current progress made on the preparations in the works today.
Songtime's weekly Prophecy Edition is one of the many reasons that your donation makes the difference!
We are making this DVD, Ready to Rebuild - Revisited by Jimmy DeYoung, available as a thank you for a gift of $30 or more.
Available while supplies last!