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O Holy Night

Hope this season finds you well and not driven into the ground trying to get everything done! It's a challenge to find some quiet moments to let the spirit of the season be known, isn't it? Sometimes, here in Southern Cal, just getting on the road or driving into a shopping center, I can feel the pressure and stress of those around me.

I was shopping in a store where the Christmas music actually had the words to the song; which happened to be my favorite Christmas carol, 'O Holy Night'.

For me it has always been such a powerful song. I pray you will find time to reflect on the whole song. It is rich with significance! The first verse starts out...

'Long lay the world in sin and error pining'

...and strikes a familiar chord within me. I wondered, since some of the words to these songs I've never used in my vocabulary before, what pining meant! So I looked it up!

The meaning of the word really sheds new depth on not only the state of humanity then, but now as well. Webster's says this about pining—"The act or condition of one that pines."

Hmmm...I went back a little further to pine since I only thought that it had only ever referred to a tree!

Pine: to inflict pain upon, to torment, to torture; to lose vigor, health, or flesh as through grief, anxiety, or hunger.

Wow! Isn't that a telling description as to the state of mankind today in our nation? Moreover, it is so true that long lay the world in sin and error pining. In other words, the whole condition of man is going through this state of anxiety, torment, pain and even hunger, whether we want to acknowledge it or not, it is there! It is a result of our sin, our falling nature. We are seeing the effects of it all around us today. For some of us, we relate to it quite well, I know I sure can!

However, that is only the first part of the first verse to the song, thankfully! The music turns to emphasize the second part, which goes on…

♫♪♫♪♫♪♪♪♫♫♪♪♪♪♪♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♪♫
"Till He appeared, and the soul felt it's worth.
A thrill of hope,
the weary world rejoices.
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn".

And that's great news people, isn't it?

We get stuck in the muck and mire, we have many questions, and all the pain we go through does not always have to be so devastating! There is a way out and a different perspective to have. Oh isn't that terrific news?

Jesus Christ's sole purpose in showing up on planet earth was so that we could know Him, God incarnate! And by knowing Him and experiencing His unrelenting love for us, our soul will find it's worth!

There is a question or two here. Has your soul, and my soul found it's rest and it's worth in deeply knowing Jesus? Are we living in the reality of God's amazing love for us to the depth that it's made a difference in our day to day lives?

You see, as we know Jesus better, and gain His perspective on the world and our own lives it only makes sense that something would change, wouldn't it? Some of you can attest to the changes made in your own soul as a result. Things like peace instead of anxiety or strife. A contentment inside so we don't have to act out and find pleasure in other vices. Forgiveness instead of holding anger or grudges...I could go on.

The demonstration of God’s love for us, by stepping into a lost and fallen world for you and for me, is truly amazing, especially when you consider that we were his enemies (Romans 5:6-11)! Therefore, the only response I can think of, and that the song's chorus builds to is…

Fall on your knees!
O hear the angels sing!
Oh night, divine!

That is the kind of posture that makes sense (not only at this time of year), one of humble and grateful worship to Jesus Christ! I hope that this writing brings you renewal and hope in your present season of life, wherever that finds you! Knowing Jesus deeply from the heart, results in us having a rich and deep quality of life, our soul will find it's worth, and our purpose will be clear! So with that in mind… Let's fall on our knees and rejoice in His amazing love.

Dave Hershey

NewSong on FaceBook

Ah yes, we must admit, NewSong people are just the coolest. In case you didn't know we have quite a crowd from NS gathering on FaceBook. Warning: these are the most creative thinkers in one spot. You must join, we dare you . . .

And by the way, Merry Christmas

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Christmas Eve Sarajevo

VBS 2007

Once a year (like most churches, I would imagine) we invite the children to completely mess up our sanctuary and go crazy for Jesus. This year the inside of our church was converted into the beach, sand and palm trees included. Surfboards were left here and there and one could definitely smell a few burning hot dogs.

The kids had a blast, memories were made, lives were changed (including mine) and God was definitely present. I enjoyed my small part which was handling the sound (you know, pushing buttons on queue). It was pretty much fun all week for me. Hopefully we will have pictures and videos up soon.


"And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, 'Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.'" (Mark 10:13,14)

She Made It!!!

The Blogathon was an awesome success. Debby A. made it through the 24 hours (you can check and count her posts, which should be 48 in all) at her blog Pieces of Me. Hopefully, by her posts, God was glorified. Jewish bloggers are still blogging because they couldn't on the Sabbath. You can still sponsor them or any of the other bloggers for the next 48 hours. The Gate's writer, Debby A. blogged for Feed the Children. So far the total raised from all pledges is $99,450.48.

Blogging For Charity

There is a national Blog-A-Thon about to happen on July 29th, 2006. One of our writers will stay awake for 24 hours, post every 30 minutes for Oklahoma-based ministry Feed the Children. Please sponsor Debby A. to raise $500 for the children. Go to Debby's Blog for more info and make your pledge. If you are a blogger and would like to be included in this event, visit the blogathon site.

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
James 2:14-17 (NIV)