The Second Day of Christmas

"The Feast of St. Stephen"

The day celebrates the first person to give his life for the sake of Christ, St. Stephen, who was also one of the first deacons ordained to serve the poor.

This day also has the additional title of "Boxing Day" and is a holiday in the countries of the British Commonwealth. there are various explanations for this name, but they all boil down to the idea that this is a day to be generous to those who are less fortunate than yourself.

Another saint closely associated with this day is St. Wenceslas of Bohemia whose charity to the poor is remembered in John Mason Neal's wonderful carol. The day after Christmas is a particularly good day to put the "spirit of giving" into practice. Take time today to perform an act of charity. If you make end-of-year gifts to charities, write the checks today.

Remembering St. Stephen and St. Wenceslas as well as our Lord's own sacrifice, this would be a good day to consider giving of yourself. Charity can take many forms. Whatever form your giving takes, make sure to sing or whistle "Good King Wenceslas" while you do it!

(adapted from fullhomelydivinity.org)

The First Day of Christmas

(The Nativity stained glass window is at St Leonard's Church, Mundford, Norfolk, UK)

Christmas Day,
the First Day of Christmas

The Nativity Prayer of Saint Augustine

Let the just rejoice,
For their jusifier is born.
Let the sick and infirm rejoice,
For their Savior is born.
Let the captives rejoice,
For their Redeemer is born.
Let the slaves rejoice,
For their Master is born.
Let free men rejoice,
For their Liberator is born.
Let all Christians rejoice,
For Jesus Christ is born.

St. Augustine of Hippo (354 - 440 A.D.)

(The devotional entries for the Twelve Days of Christmas begins on Christmas Day and continue through Epiphany, January 6th. They are offered by Pastor Charles)

Advent Devotional for Christmas Eve

("Merry Christmas" in Vietnamese)

Christmas Eve, December 24, 1968
My most memorable Christmas.

Delta Company was at hill Charlie 2 (C2) the closest outpost to the DMZ (the demilitarized zone between North and South Vietnam) that existed. There was a ceasefire in place and we had not seen any action in several days. At night, Captain Smallwood would send out at least a squad of men to establish a forward outpost in case of enemy movement. Lt. Mike and the rest of 1st squad, 4th platoon and I were sent northwest of C2 to set up a forward post. We were not very concerned about going because of the ceasefire.

We went to an abandoned Catholic Church in a village that had been destroyed in the war. Catholicism was the second largest religion in South Vietnam. We set up our position in the steeple of the church. If we saw any movement I was to radio the base camp.

We had not been there long when Private Moody whispered to Lt. Mike that he had seen movement. Lt. Mike and I looked through the starlight scope (night vision scope) and watched as three North Vietnamese soldiers, carrying their weapons, approached the church. We lost sight of them, but we knew that they were inside the church. It became deadly quiet! Then we heard singing in the sanctuary. We could not understand the Vietnamese language but knew the tune the moment they started singing "Silent Night, Holy Night."

These three NVA (North Vietnam Army) soldiers were Catholic and were celebrating the birth of the Christ child. When they were finished with their worship, we watched them walk away into the jungle. We all talked about how neat it would have been to worship together. Soon the ceasefire ended and it wasn't long until we went back into combat. I wonder to this day if those NVA soldiers were in bunkers trying to kill us, and us them, in every fire-fight after that Christmas Eve.

Glen Smart, First UMC - McCamey

Christmas Pageant 2010 -- His-story Alive!

This past Sunday, the faithful folks who met to worship at First UMC participated in a history-making event: Our first-ever "Christmas-pageant-in-a-bag" service! Costumes and highlighted scripts were found in the bags, and participants were transformed into "Mary, Joseph, wise men/women, angels, etc.!"

----------------------

Now the church's bulletin board which features past Christmas pageants includes a photo from this year's pageant. "His-story" is still being proclaimed in 2010! Thanks be to God!!!

Advent Devotional for December 23rd

Hark the Herald Angels Sing!
(The Rev. Charles Wesley, 1739)

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 the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Shirley Smith, McCamey Convalescent Center

Advent Devotional for December 22nd

CHRISTMAS BELLS
By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

(written on Christmas Day, 1864)

I heard the bells on Christmas Day, their old, familiar carols play, and wild and sweet their words repeat of peace on earch, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come, the belfries of all Christendom, had rolled along the unbroken song of peace on earch, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way, they world revolved from night to day, a voice, a chime, a chant sublime of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth, the cannon thundered from the South, and the sound the carols drowned of peace on earch, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent the hearth-stones of a continent, and made forlorn the households born of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair, I bowed my head. "There is no peace on Earth," I said; "For hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead; nor doth He sleep! The Wrong shall fail; the Right prevail, with peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Pat & Lawrence Schneider,
First UMC - Iraan

Advent Devotional for December 21st

The First Noel (Sixteenth century, England)

The First Noel, the Angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

And by the light of that same star
Three Wise men came from country far
To seek for a King was their intent
And to follow the star wherever it went.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

This star drew nigh to the northwest
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest
And there it did both pause and stay
Right o'er the place where Jesus lay.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

Then entered in those Wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee
And offered there in His presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
That hath made Heaven and earth of nought
And with his blood mankind has bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

Cecelia Teas, McCamey Convalescent Center