Christmas Music
December 14, 2009
Perhaps the best part of Christmas is the music. This weekend, we enjoyed a remarkable Christmas program at a local church, hymn singing in worships services at our church, and some recorded Christmas musicals on television. All in all – a musical overdose!
The music at Christmas is special for several reasons. First, the familiarity of frequently repeated hymns and songs means dozens of them can be sung from memory. Second, the biblical content is strong. Finally, the songs lend themselves to all kinds of dramatic support through skits, pantomimes, costumes, and other external effects. When you combine all this, the music during the Yule season is special.
One of our favorite Christmas memories is a duet some friends sung, year after year, in our church in Oregon. They did it so well it became a Christmas tradition. Their version is still better than anything we have ever heard recorded professionally. Another family memory is singing Silent Night as part of candlelight services. While our boys aren’t much into the emotive side of life, they participate in this service wholeheartedly. Christmas makes us all a little softer!
Enjoy your Christmas services this Sunday. Make time for special services on Christmas Eve. Allow the music to bond you with your church family, remind you of biblical truth about the birth of Jesus, and move you emotionally through visual reminders of the Nativity. And, even if they gripe a bit, take the boys in your family. Even old guys like me get misty-eyed once in a while.
Merry Christmas!
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Sex in the Streets Problem Solved
December 7, 2009
A civic group in San Francisco, the Folsom Street Fair organizers, has proposed a simple solution to a vexing problem. The Fair is one of the unique events in our city by the bay. It is devoted to celebrating sexual perversion – including sexual acts in the streets as part of the party. The authorities, by some sort of unspoken agreement, have usually turned a blind eye to similar escapades. But last year some neighbors complained of open sexual acts being too blatant and frequent.
That’s where the proposed solution comes into play. The Fair organizers have proposed creating a “sex tent” for consenting couples or groups to enjoy themselves. The tent would be open to the public so anyone attending the Fair could participate or watch. Only in San Francisco would this be considered a workable solution to an unthinkable problem.
In a moment of confused, but nonetheless appreciated moral insight, the San Francisco Chronicle editorial board condemned the “sex tent” idea. Under the headline, “Get a Room,” the paper advocated the sexual acts be moved to private quarters. Limiting promiscuity wasn’t suggested. That would be too radical an idea! Everyone knows people can’t control their sexual urges and the only means to genuine fulfillment is sex anytime, anyplace, and with any consenting partner.
It will be interesting to see what happens next summer. The city will close off several blocks, as they do every year, for the festivities. Vendors will set up shop and families will enjoy a day in the sun. Hopefully by then, some solution to sex in the streets will be implemented. Not likely, but some of us continually to pray for repentance and faith to replace lust and brokenness. May God make it so!
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