December 16, 2022

Dear Road Church Friends,

One of the greatest gifts bequeathed to the Church over the centuries is the treasure trove of Christmas music that poets and composers from around the world have left as a legacy of their Christian faith and devotion. Behind every hymn, every carol is a personal story. In the past few weeks, we have been delving into some of those stories. This Sunday I will tell how Rev. Edmund Sears, pastor of the First Congregational of Wayland, Massachusetts in 1849 came to write the words that were put to music the following year, thus creating one of the great Christmas carols of all time, “It Came upon the Midnight Clear.” Rev. Sears was recovering from a bout of depression and struggling to write an encouraging message for Christmas Eve. He opened his Bible to the story of the shepherds and the song they heard the angels sing. Suddenly he had an idea. Join us Sunday morning to hear the rest of the story.

SCRIPTURE:  LUKE 2:8-14

In the region of Bethlehem there were shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night. Suddenly the sky lit up, and an angel appeared to them who said, “Do not be afraid, I have joyful news for you and all the people. Today in Bethlehem the Messiah has been born. You will know it’s him when you see a baby wrapped in a blanket, lying in a manger.” Then, a choir of angels appeared singing, “Glory to God in heaven, And, on earth, let there be peace among men with whom God is now pleased to dwell.”

SERMON:  “It Came upon the Midnight Clear”

words: Rev. Edmund Sears (1810-76)

music: Richard S. Willis (1819-1900)

THE WHOLE YEAR CHRISTMAS

Oh, could we keep the Christmas thrill, The goad of gladness and goodwill,

The lift of laughter and the touch, Of kindled hands that utter much,

Not once a year but all the time, The melody of hearts in chime,

The impulse beautiful and kind, Of soul to soul and mind to mind

That swings the world and brings the world, On one great day of all the year

Close to God’s treasure house of cheer.

Oh, could we keep the Christmas feast, Even when goods and gold are least,

Here mid our common daily scenes, Could we but live what Christmas means,

Not one day, but for every day, The miracle of wholesome play,

The spirit sweet, gift giving, young, From deepest wells of feeling sprung.

What a different world this would be! For we would see as children see,

If only a magic way were found, To make us children all year round!

by Angela Morgan

Christmas Blessings to you all,

Pastor Norm

Our YouTube video: https://youtu.be/0tUUEzC2kRM