Just Pondering
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Rick Branan |
Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross. For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— in heaven and on earth and under the earth— and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:5-11 (CSBBible)
George Whitefield (27 December 1714 – 30 September 1770), also known as George Whitfield, was an English Anglican priest and preacher who was one of the founders of Methodism and the evangelical movement.
Born in Gloucester, he matriculated at Pembroke College, Oxford in 1732. There, he joined the "Holy Club" and was introduced to John and Charles Wesley, with whom he would work closely in his later ministry. Unlike the Wesleys, he embraced Calvinism. Whitefield was ordained after receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree. He immediately began preaching, but he did not settle as the minister of any Church of England parish; rather, he became an itinerant preacher and evangelist. In 1740, Whitefield traveled to British North America where he preached a series of Christian revivals that became part of the Great Awakening. His methods were controversial, and he engaged in numerous debates and disputes with other clergymen.
Whitefield received widespread recognition during his ministry; he preached at least 18,000 times to perhaps ten million listeners in the British Empire. Whitefield could enthrall large audiences through a potent combination of drama, religious eloquence, and patriotism.
Wikipedia
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
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 hosts proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King"
Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of the Virgin's womb:
veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th'incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.
Written by George Whitefield
Hark! We just don’t hear the word anymore. It is a word I see in a Shakespeare play. The word means to listen, to pay attention. Scripturally, Jesus would say “Verily, verily,” meaning the same thing. The point is something important is happening. The main text was written by Charles Wesley, however, George Whitefield, the great 18th century evangelist and friend of Wesley, reworked the phrasing and words. For example, Wesley wrote “"Hark how all the welkin rings / Glory to the King of Kings" and Whitefield made it more singable “Hark! the herald angels sing / "Glory to the newborn King.”
So, what should we pay attention to? Luke’s announcement by the angels of the Messiah’s birth. The third stanza reminds me of Paul’s great hymn in Philippians 2. Jesus was the begotten Son of God. (Whitefield/Wesley use the term “heaven born.”) This word reminds us Christ was brought into existence, not created, and He was manifested in His unique virgin birth. Paul declares Christ was God and then shed the perks of deity and humbled Himself to become man. Not just any man, but the perfect atonement for our sin. God exalted Him with His name: Jesus (Yeshua), “God saves!”
When we sing this Christmas carol, remember God’s plan mentioned in Jeremiah 33: “Look, the days are coming”— this is the LORD’s declaration— “when I will fulfill the good promise that I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a Righteous Branch to sprout up for David, and he will administer justice and righteousness in the land.” That is our new covenant. I love the phrase we often use at Easter, “Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.” Christmas reminds us of the human birth of God’s begotten Son, who came to live a perfect life so He could die for our sin. Hark! That is good news!
Just pondering . . . Bro. Rick