What? you’re asking.

Yes, Sunday night, December 20, during the annual “Christmas in Washington” concert at the National Building Museum, President Obama and the First Lady took to the stage to join entertainers in singing “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”

Before I go further, let’s recall the first verse of this powerful and all-time classic carol by the musical “prophet” Charles Wesley (1707 – 1788):

Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born 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!”

Now, I ask you, how can someone sing these great words and not be affected in their soul? This is the plain Gospel, “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth”. (Romans 1:16 b) I call these carols, “Musical Gospel Tracts.”

Of course, the key is that last part, “to every one that believeth.” That’s the difference between “affect” and “effect,” but whether one “believes” or not, you must feel the “affect” of such a magnificent message.

Time will tell whether the President bears the “effect,” but the optimist in me says he definitely felt the “affect.”

This is why I love the CHRISTmas season. No one—not even an isolated, insulated, hyper-protected, inordinately shielded President of the United States, can escape hearing and being touched by the echo of that glorious angelic pronouncement heralded from the Heavens 2000 years ago,

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

It’s enough to make even a president cry.

Rob +

The sites and sounds of CHRIST-mas reach a long way, but today I was struck with just how far is the reach of this unique holy-day. Sure, I expect to see at least a few nativity scenes on display, even in disputed territory. Christmas carols are also ubiquitous, including in Burger Kings and Wendy’s. For some reason, though, hearing the words to “O Holy Night” in a thruway men’s room really made an impression.

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining.

It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

‘Til he appeared and the soul felt His worth.

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born.

O holy night -O night -O night divine!

That’s a lot of religion for a public toilet, but it really fits. After all, Jesus was not born in a palace or a resort. The Savior made His debut in a pretty earthy setting. A stall for farm animals is generally marked by a distinctive odor, not different from a roadside john.

Just as it is with the songs about that first Christmas, no place is off limits for the Christ who is the center of those songs. You’ll find Him present in the most gritty, grimy and stinky places of life.

I haven’t heard a tear-jerking testimony about a toilet-stall conversion, yet, but I expect I will before I go to Heaven. I know that beautiful hymn must have touched some hearts today in the men’s room–I just didn’t have the nerve to ask anybody to raise his hand . . .

Rob +

Rev. Rob Schenck

Faith and Action

www.faithandaction.org

109 2nd St, NE

Washington, DC 20002

202-546-8329

You must check out this link:
http://www.stnicholassociety.com/.

I’ve long been a fan of the real” Jolly St. Nick”–that is, St. Nicholas of Myra, an early Christian bishop who lived in Second Century. He actually did help the poor and rescued abandoned children. On one occasion,he may have anonymously thrown gold coins through the window of a house to save three daughters from being sold to human traffickers. St. Nick is more relevant than ever! His distorted avatar, Santa Claus, was largely an invention of the Coca Cola company to gin up retail business. I prefer the real deal. If you’re as enthusiastic as I am, join the St. Nicholas Society and cast your vote for a saner CHRIST-mas!

Wishing you a belated Feast of St. Nicholas (December 6), a Merry CHRIST-mas and a Blessed New Year!