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2 episodes with orient are
2 episodes with orient are
Bible Readings: Ps 98, Matt 2:1‑15 Last Sunday’s sermon: “Hark! We Three Kings of Orient Are” with Greg Olliffe, part of our series “Hark! Carols of the King”. The post Hark! We Three Kings of Orient Are appeared first on All Saints North Epping.
In this episode, we explore the Bible story about King Herod's cruelty and the wise men who traveled to worship baby Jesus. We dive into the second stanza of 'We Three Kings of Orient Are' and read from Matthew chapter 2. Learn about King Herod's jealousy, his terrible actions to keep his power, and interesting facts about the wise men, also known as the Magi, who studied the stars and were influential advisors in ancient times. Tune in for a deeper understanding of these characters and their significance in the Christmas story. 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 01:45 The Story of Herod: A Merciless King 04:53 The Visit of the Wise Men 06:34 Daniel and the Wise Men in Babylon 10:05 Unanswered Questions About the Wise Men 10:58 Conclusion and Blessings
In this episode, we dive into the story of the wise men searching for baby Jesus, as told in Matthew 2:1-12. Our speaker also introduces the series 'The Searching for and Worship of the King,' using the song 'We Three Kings of Orient Are' to set the stage. We'll explore the significance of Bethlehem, its historical context, and learn about King Herod's role during this time. Join us for this insightful lesson about the birth of Jesus and the wise men's journey. 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:46 Series Introduction: The Searching for and Worship of the King 01:15 The Song: We Three Kings of Orient Are 01:57 Scripture Reading: Matthew Chapter 2 04:30 The Visit of the Wise Men 04:56 Exploring Bethlehem of Judea 08:57 King Herod the Great 10:24 Herod's Achievements and Contributions 11:13 Conclusion and Next Steps
The three kings. The wise men. The magi. They're the supporting cast in many a Nativity scene...the subject of several postage stamps and greeting cards...the subject of that classic Christmas song. Who were they? Where were they from? Why did they traverse afar following yonder star? What was with the gold, frankincense, and myrrh? Were they even real? And does it matter? Today, professor and author Eric Vanden Eykel joins Brian to tell the story of these mysterious figures. Check out Eric Vanden Eykel's book, The Magi.Music in this episode"Beyond the Cranberry House" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive“Drifting Spot” — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive"We Three Kings of Orient Are" — United States Air Force Band, via Wikimedia Commons"Early Morning Snowfall" — Chuck Brown, via Feels Like Christmas"Nostalgic" — Anastasia Kir, via PixabayConnect Facebook page Facebook group Instagram Bluesky Twitter / X Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Website BookChristmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Available in hardcover and audiobook. Find it wherever books are sold, like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Farmersville, Ohio January 7, 2024 Epiphany Sunday Announcements Prelude Opening Hymn - "We Three Kings of Orient Are" - WOV #646 Brief Order for Confession and Forgiveness Apostolic Greeting Kyrie Hymn of Praise - "This is the Feast" Prayer of the Day First Lesson - Isaiah 60:1-6 Second Lesson - Ephesians 3:2-12 Hymn - "The First Noel" - LBW #56 Gospel - Matthew 2:1-12 Sermon - "Shining for Jesus: Boldness and Confidence" Hymn - "I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light" - WOV #649 Nicene Creed Prayers of the Church Offering Offertory - "Let the Vineyards" Offertory Prayer Great Thanksgiving Words of Institution and Lord's Prayer Distribution Post-Communion Liturgy Benediction Exodus Hymn - "As With Gladness Men of Old" - LBW #82 Dismissal Postlude For the video version of today's service, please visit https://youtu.be/6OpMCnGxYD8 May God bless you now and always!
Today is Epiphany—the event described by the carol “We Three Kings of Orient Are.” It’s the time when Gentile wisemen visited the child Jesus. Yet they weren’t kings, they weren’t from the Far East (as Orient formerly meant), and it’s unlikely there were three of them. There were, however, three gifts, and the carol considers each. When the magi arrived in Bethlehem, “They opened their treasures and presented [Jesus] with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11). The gifts symbolize Jesus’ mission. Gold represents His role as King. Frankincense, mixed with the incense burned in the sanctuary, speaks of His deity. Myrrh, used to embalm dead bodies, gives us pause. The fourth verse of the carol says, “Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume / breathes a life of gathering gloom; / sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, / sealed in the stone-cold tomb.” We wouldn’t write such a scene into the story, but God did. Jesus’ death is central to our salvation. Herod even attempted to kill Jesus while He was yet a child (v. 13). The carol’s last verse weaves the three themes together: “Glorious now behold him arise; / King and God and sacrifice.” This completes the story of Christmas, inspiring our response: “Alleluia, Alleluia, / sounds through the earth and skies.”
A response to longtime fan requests, Raymond Arroyo Christmas Merry & Bright charms listeners with Arroyo's renaissance sensibilities. Warm vocals and a touch of humor refresh and cast new light on a collection of Christmas standards we've all taken for granted. Raymond Arroyo has entertained and informed audiences in one way or another his whole life, as a contributor for Fox and CNN, with his New York Times bestselling-books and his frequent appearances on: The Today Show, Fox News, Good Morning America, CNN Headline News, Access Hollywood, Erin Burnett Outfront, The Ingraham Angle and through beloved shows on EWTN (commonly known as "the world's largest Faith media network"). Now audiences will be treated to his debut recording Christmas Merry & Bright in which his deeply rooted musical background takes center stage; having grown up singing in his native New Orleans, then graduating from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts followed by theater stints in London. On Merry & Bright Arroyo is backed by jazz supergroup, The NOLA Players. Christmas Merry & Bright showcases Kevin Kaska's (The Greatest Showman, Jungle Book) beautiful, Big Band new arrangements of the timeless "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day", a hard driving, "Joy to the World", and a never-before heard orchestration of medley "The First Noel/ We Magi of Orient Are". Recorded at the historic Le Petite Theatre by multi-grammy award winning producer Brad Michel, the album captures unexplored emotions of the season with an all-new rendition of the beloved, "Feliz Navidad"-- complete with a moving duet with Grammy Winner José Feliciano. Soon to be a Christmas favorite, Christmas Merry & Bright will forever change the way listeners will experience these cherished songs. Arroyo will be touring in select markets this coming November and December in support of Christmas Merry & Bright, bringing a uniting, memory making, wonder awakening, experience to prepare for the yuletide season!
Soon to be Released Debut Music Album, Already Topping Amazon Music's Jazz Charts A response to longtime fan requests, Raymond Arroyo Christmas Merry & Bright charms listeners with Arroyo's renaissance sensibilities. Warm vocals and a touch of humor refresh and cast new light on a collection of Christmas standards we've all taken for granted. Raymond Arroyo has entertained and informed audiences in one way or another his whole life, as a contributor for Fox and CNN, with his New York Times bestselling-books and his frequent appearances on: The Today Show, Fox News, Good Morning America, CNN Headline News, Access Hollywood, Erin Burnett Outfront, The Ingraham Angle and through beloved shows on EWTN (commonly known as "the world's largest Faith media network"). Now audiences will be treated to his debut recording Christmas Merry & Bright in which his deeply rooted musical background takes center stage; having grown up singing in his native New Orleans, then graduating from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts followed by theater stints in London. On Merry & Bright Arroyo is backed by jazz supergroup, The NOLA Players. Christmas Merry & Bright showcases Kevin Kaska's (The Greatest Showman, Jungle Book) beautiful, Big Band new arrangements of the timeless "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day", a hard driving, "Joy to the World", and a never-before heard orchestration of medley "The First Noel/ We Magi of Orient Are". Recorded at the historic Le Petite Theatre by multi-grammy award winning producer Brad Michel, the album captures unexplored emotions of the season with an all-new rendition of the beloved, "Feliz Navidad"-- complete with a moving duet with Grammy Winner José Feliciano. Soon to be a Christmas favorite, Christmas Merry & Bright will forever change the way listeners will experience these cherished songs. Arroyo will be touring in select markets this coming November and December in support of Christmas Merry & Bright, bringing a uniting, memory making, wonder awakening, experience to prepare for the yuletide season!
In 1857, John Henry Hopkins penned the words to the famous song, “We Three Kings of Orient Are” to describe the journey of the wise men to see the newly born Jesus. There are just a few problems with the song; we don't know how many wise men there were, they were not kings, and they were likely not from the Orient. Still, their importance in the storyline of Jesus is essential. Through them, we find both fulfillment of ancient prophecy as well as a striking contrast with a foolish leader who rejected God's gift to humanity. This study will focus on Matthew's unique perspective of events following the birth of Jesus and demonstrate the choice that must be made concerning one's view of Jesus. A sermon given by Greg Chandler on December 25, 2022.
Allow me 2 Soothe you 2 Sleep as I relax you by singing this Christmas Carol, We Three Kings of Orient Are, sung acapella, by yours truly. Thanks for watching! Please LIKE and SHARE this video, Soothies, and don't forget to SUPPORT my channel :) Blessings
We Three Kings of Orient Are...
LIVE: Sunday, December 26 2021 @ 9PM CST My daughter Anna returns for this annual holiday week episode. We discussed 2021 but mostly just reviewed the week's news and played "Christmas music" from The King of Jingaling. Wikipedia News: December 20-26, 2021 Musical Interludes: "We Three Kings of Orient Are" by Muzak | "2010 ADVENTUre in Carols" "Away In a Manger" by John Klein | "2010 ADVENTUre in Carols" "Carol of the Bells" by The NORAD Commanders | "2006 ADVENTUre in Carols" "12 Days of Christmas" by The Big Ben Banjo Band | "2005 ADVENTure In Carols" "Do You Hear What I Hear" by Mike Sammes Singers | "2009 ADVENTUre in Carols" "Santa Loves Rock N Roll Music" by The Rhodes Kids | "2005 ADVENTure In Carols" "Space Age Santa Claus" by Hal Bradley Orchestra with Patty Marie Jay | "2005 ADVENTure In Carols" "The Skater's Waltz" by Frank Chacksfield and His Orchestra | "2008 ADVENTUre in Carols"
Our version of the Classic Christmas Carol "We Three Kings", original title "Three Kings of Orient", also known as "We Three Kings of Orient Are" or "The Quest of the Magi", is a Christmas carol that was written by John Henry Hopkins Jr. in 1857. At the time of composing the carol, Hopkins served as the rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and he wrote the carol for a Christmas pageant in New York City. It was the first widely popular Christmas carol written in America
Dr. Horace Houston First Presbyterian Church of Rosemark Tennessee www.rosemarkfpc.com Sermon video can be found at https://youtu.be/TI36ssf_OLo Music Selections: What Star Is This, With Beams So Bright? https://youtu.be/QtDMKCGukks We Three Kings of Orient Are https://youtu.be/4Z0qdUubmnQ On Christmas Night All Christians Sing https://youtu.be/n6hnHmXFiD8 In The Bleak Midwinter https://youtu.be/3fCXn2cTfOk
From Revd John Davies, vicar of Clapham with Keasden and Austwick with Eldroth in the Diocese of Leeds. Prayers and reflections from the Churches Weekly Newsletter in a time of the coronavirus: 3 January 2021, The Epiphany. Featuring 'We Three Kings of Orient Are', 'In Dulci Jubilo' and 'In the Bleak Midwinter' - each performed by The English Chorale from their album 'Christmas Carols' (2011) Including my talk for the day, 'Singing new songs at the king's court', also available here as a stand-alone podcast.
Spread Christmas Cheer. Listen and Share Christmas music from Celtic musicians. Subscribe at CelticChristmasPodcast.com. Celtic Christmas music from: Runa, Stephanie Claussen, David Pedrick, Matt & Shannon Heaton, Steel Clover, Mark O'Connor, Marc Gunn, deCeadaoin, Andrew D. Huber, The Rogues, Sheri O'Meara, Abbots Cross, Reilly, Screaming Orphans, Prydein, The Jig Is Up! This podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our Christmas Patrons. Sign up on Patreon to bring more episodes to your ears every November and December leading up to Christmas. YOUR CELTIC CHRISTMAS MUSIC THIS WEEK 0:01 - "The Snows they melt the Soonest / Wondrous Love" by Runa from The Tide of Winter 4:12 - CHRISTMAS WELCOME - Welcome to the Celtic Christmas Podcast. My name is Marc Gunn. I am a Celtic musician and host also of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. My goal is to introduce you to Celtic musicians who are making and sharing Christmas music. 4:45 - "Willie Take Your Little Drum / Il Est Né, Le Divin Enfant" by Stephanie Claussen from Light so Brilliant: Carols and Tunes for Christmas 8:50 - "Gower Wassail" by David Pedrick from Wintertide EP 12:12 - "Carol of the Birds" by Matt & Shannon Heaton from Fine Winter's Night 16:33 - "Snowflakes" by Steel Clover from Season of Love 18:36 - "Cherry Tree Carol" by Mark O'Connor from Appalachian Christmas 22:09 - "Jingle Bells" by Marc Gunn from Celtic Christmas Greetings 24:56 - GIVING THANKS ** The Celtic Christmas Podcast is now supported by generous people just like you. Your kind pledge of as little as $2 per episode pays for the production and promotion of the podcast, as well as my time in creating it. It allows us to share Christmas Cheer through Celtic culture and music. Bring the gift of Christmas to your ears this year, make a pledge at patreon.com/celticchristmas. CELTIC CHRISTMAS NEWS ** If you enjoy this podcast, you might also enjoy our Joyful Celtic Christmas Music playlist on Spotify. Follow the link in the show notes. ** Want more Celtic Christmas music? I have a webpage dedicated to it with playlists, Christmas albums, videos and more. 26:01 - "A Jig for Christmas/Merry Christmas" by deCeadaoin from unreleased album 29:36 - "Soft Silver Sound" by Andrew D. Huber from Lights & Snow, Vol. II 33:11 - "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" by The Rogues from Hellbound Sleigh 34:28 - "Lambs on the Green Hills" by Sheri O'Meara from Christmas Light 36:52 - "Silent Night/La Valse Des Jeunes Filles" by Abbots Cross from Christmas Visions 40:21 - "We Three Kings of Orient Are by Reilly from Kick Ass Celtic Christmas 45:03 - “Song We Used to Sing” by Screaming Orphans from a new Christmas single 48:25 - "Merry Xmas Everybody" by Prydein from Single 52:56 - NOLLAIG SHONA DAOIBH - If you enjoyed this show, please LIKE and SHARE this episode. If you found a song you loved in this show, I list the show times and URLs for each artist in the notes. Follow the link in the shownotes to support the artists who support this podcast. Buy their music and merch, subscribe to their newsletters, and tell a friend about the great music you found. Finally, subscribe to the Celtic Music Magazine. This is the official newsletter of the Celtic Christmas Podcast and the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. It is 100% free to subscribe, and every week, you'll get an inside look into the latest Celtic podcast news. Sign up today, and you can download 34 Celtic MP3s for FREE! 54:40 - "At Last I'm Ready for Christmas" by The Jig Is Up! from A Penny for the Wren The Celtic Christmas Podcast was edited by Mitchell Petersen with Graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. The show was produced by Marc Gunn, The Celtfather. To subscribe, go to Apple Podcasts or to our website where you can become a Patron of the Podcast for as little as $2 per episode. Promote Celtic culture through Christmas music at CelticChristmasPodcast.com. Nollaig Shona Daoibh! #celticchristmas #celticchristmasmusic #snowstheymeltthesoonest
Order of WorshipEpiphany SundayJanuary 5, 202011:00 a.m.223 Bull Street, Chippewa SquareChiming of the HourPrelude We Three Kings Paul O. Manz Rev. James Richardson, organistChoral Introit Still He Comes Zollene ReissnerLove’s great promise, born long ago in a manger,Not with the sounds of the cymbal and drum, but the silence of stars.Long awaited one, unknown and yet not a stranger,Came as a humble and holy child, yet a great and glorious king!For such a gift sing “Alleluia!” Hope born within a lowly stall,The incarnate love of God was sent for all.(The text is by Zollene Reissner)Welcome and Call to Worship Rev. John Callaway, Co-PastorInvocation Rev. Katie Callaway, Co-Pastor Hymn 66 We Three Kings of Orient Are THREE KINGS OF ORIENTAffirmation of Faith We are not alone, we live in God’s world and we worship the One who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others through the Spirit.We are relational beings, called to be with and for one another. In gathering at the table, we are communing with our Triune God and we are communing with one another.We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, to remember the life, ministry, and love of the One we follow.In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us.Gloria Patri No. 579 Glory be to God the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,World without end. Amen. Amen.First Lesson Isaiah 60:1-6 Second Lesson Psalm 72:1-7; 10-14Solo Welcome, Welcome, Dear Redeemer Cesar Franck Bill Gardner, tenorWelcome, welcome, dear Redeemer.You came, Lord Jesus, to set us free.From our fears and sins release us;Let us find our rest in thee.Hope of all the earth thou art,Joy of every longing heart.Welcome, welcome, dear Redeemer,Born a child, yet thou art a King.Born to reign in us forever,Now thy gracious kingdom bring.Rule in all our hearts alone,Raise us to thy glorious throne. Amen.(The text is adapted from a hymn by Charles Wesley)Third Lesson Matthew 2:1-12Sermon Leaving the Path Rev. Katie Callaway, Co-PastorHymn 62 Bring We the Frankincense of Our Love EPIPHANY SONGCall to Prayer Rev. John Callaway, Co-PastorSilent PrayersPastoral PrayerThe Lord’s PrayerOur Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.Offertory SentenceReceiving of Tithes and OfferingsOffertory March of the Kings Cesar FranckPresentation and Doxology No. 591 OLD HUNDREDTHPraise God, from whom all blessings flow;Praise Christ, all people here below;Praise Holy Spirit evermore;Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.Offertory PrayerCelebration of Holy CommunionInvitation to Christian DiscipleshipHymn* O Worship the King All Glorious Above LYONSEvents in the Life of the ChurchPastoral BenedictionChoral Response Still He Comes Zollene ReissnerStill he comes to us, not with the sound of the thunder,But as the light of the morning comes when a new day is born.Grace he brings to us, life and love never-ending,Rest for the spirit and peace for the heart, and a quiet, gentle joy.For such a gift sing “Alleluia!” Hope born within a lowly stall,The incarnate love of God was sent for all.(The text is by Zollene Reissner)Postlude Noel Provencal Alexandre Guilmant*Due to technical issues our final Hymn As with Gladness Men of Old was replaced with O Worship the King All Glorious AboveFor more information about First Baptist Church Savannah, GAVisit our website fbc-sav.orgKatie Callaway, Co-PastorJohn Callaway, Co-PastorJames Richardson, Organist EmeritusWe invite you to attend our Sunday morning worship service at 11AMWe are located at 223 Bull Street on Chippewa Square, downtown SavannahAll are Welcome
I hope you enjoyed our wintery mix of music today. The Solstice falls on December 21st, the shortest day of the year...The night of the year which is why we celebrate the light at this time of year. I wanna wish everyone a happy everything, whatever your tradition is, may you celebrate with family and loved ones. May the child be sparked and awoken...brought back to life. May you enjoy the season the child with all the bright-eyed wonder of your child-self. We have but one life, so let's live it and make this world a better place. Love and light, y'all! Playlist: Skating by Andrew Bird I’ll Be Home For Christmas by Bing Crosby White Christmas by Andrew Bird Great Light of the World by Bebo Norman Folk Song by Jan Garbarek Silent Night by Bing Crosby Oh Holy Night by Andrew Bird Claude Debussy’s “Snow is Dancing” by John Novacek A Bo Story Piano Aquieu by Stars of the Lid The Christmas Song (Alternate Take) by Nat “King” Cole We Three Kings of Orient Are by José Feliciano Hark! The Herald Angels Sing by Vince Guaraldi Trio Welcome Christmas from The Grinch [CLIP] The Queen's Christmas Message Alabaster by Andrew Bird The Chanukah Song by Adam Sandler Ose Shalom by hannukkah songs
a live sound mix by sound artist Joseph Sannicandro (@thenewobjective) live on @radioCKUT in Montreal. 00:00-4:13 Stefan Christoff @spirodon + Joseph Sannicandro (temps de travail, syncope, 2018) 4:13-4:45 Joseph Sannicandro - "Prostrate Prayer" [fx] (Cathedrals Project, 2015) 4:30-6:13 John Fahey "We Three Kings of Orient Are" (The New Possibility, 1968) 6:00-7:15 PJS (@pjs11) "glows" (2018) 6:56-8:55 Low "If You were born today (song for little baby Jesus)" (Christmas, 1998) 8:03-9:27 Joseph Sannicandro "doorway drone" (Cathedrals Project, 2015) 9:07 - 9:40 Joseph Sannicandro "Pisciotta at 19h" (unreleased field-recording, 2018) 9:30 - 10:22 the new objective - "Madras" (le maitre ignorant, 2012) 10:01-12:00 Luciano Cilio "Study for Winds" (Dialoghi del presente, 1977/2004) 10:30- 11:30 Joseph Sannicandro - "crutch drone" (Cathedrals Project, 2015) 11:30-13:08 Joseph Sannicandro - "the limits of solidarity" [sample from Jonas Carpignano's film Mediterranea (2012)] 12:15-13:30 Walter Marchetti - "nei mari del sud musica in secca" (nei mari del sud musica in secca, 1999) 13:10-14:20 Joseph Sannicandro - "Pisciotta bells and sewer and cars (unreleased field-recording, 2018) 13:37- 14:38 Halim El-Dabh - "Wire Recorder Piece" (excerpt) (1944) 14:25-15:35 Fabrizio De André - "Sidun" (opening samples of crowd, Ariel Sharon, Ronald Reagan and short melody (Creuza de ma, 1984/2014) 15:09-16:37 Jerusalem in my Heart (via @constellation-records) "Yudaghdegh El-ra3ey Walal-Ghanam" (mo7it al-mo7it, 2013) 16:15-18:18 Futuro Antico - "Schirak" (Futuro Antico, 1980/2014) 17:28-18:28 Joseph Sannicandro - "cloud of bugs" (unreleased field-recording, 2017) 18:07-18:35 Joseph Sannicandro - "aventino trombetta" (unreleased field-recording, 2015) 18:20-19:15 Francesco Messina - "Harem" (Medio Occidente, 1983) 19:05-21:15 Dissói Lógoi – "Da Occidente A Oriente" (Da Occidente A Orient, 1993) 21:00-22:33 Paolo Fresu, Daniele di Bonaventura, A Filetta Corsican Voices - "Sanctus" (Mistico Mediterraneo, 2011) 21:48-21:22:30 Joseph Sannicandro - "McCarren Park at night" (unreleased field-recording, 2017) 22:30-24:26:40 Heroin in Tahiti - "Elba" (Sun and Violence, 2015) 23:00-26:20 JS - "Monti, Roma" (unreleased field-recording, 2015) 26:17-27:20 Cheikha Rimitti - "Bakhta" (Aux Sources Du Raï, 1999) 27:07-29:55 Francesco Messina / Raul Lovisoni "Prati Bagnati Del Monte Analogo" (Prati Bagnati Del Monte Analogo, 1979) 29:26-31:53 Franca Sacchi - "Danza mia cara" (En, 1971/2004) 30:20-33:10 Joseph Sannicandro "Piazza Pinto, Pisciotta: Children playing in the late evening 1020pm (unreleased field-recording, 2018) 31:28-32:30 Claudio Rocchi - "Tarantella" (Suoni Di Frontiera, 1976/2017) 32:12-32:55 Alan Lomax & Diego Carpitella - "Tammurinata" (Italian Treasury: Sicily, 2000) 32:40-34:22 Futuro Antico - "Concrete music / oa-oa" (Dai primitivi all'elettronica, 1990/2014) 33:10 (and repeating) Small sample from Lucio Battisti - "Anima Latina" (Anima Latina, 1974) 33:57-35:11 Luciano Cilio - "Interludio" (Dialoghi del presente, 1977/2004) 34:22-34:56 Joseph Sannicandro "Tarrytown horn" (unreleased field-recording, 2018) 34:57-37:12 Arif Sağ – "Yandim seker" (Anadolu Döktürmeler, 2000) 36:01-37:45 Muqata'a (@muqataa) - "Istihdar" (Inkanakuntu, 2018) 37:45-39:13 Machinefabriek (@machinefabriek) - "Sirocco" (Sahara Mixtape, 2018) 38:30-40:10 Joseph Sannicandro "click clack" (unreleased field-recording, 2015) 39:10-41:12 Joseph Sannicandro - "The Sun Sets in the West pt 1" (The Sun Sets in the West, 2017) 39:38-42:30 Sicilian field-recordings 40:12-41:15 Joseph Sannicandro - "written history, white light" (galaverna, 2015) 41:19-42:20 Pergolesi - "Stabat Mater" 41:40-42:35 JS - "BLM speeches for Philando Castile, Gov Mansion protest, St-Paul" (unreleased field-recording, 2016) 42:22-43:15 the new objective - "matt wivviott remix" (unreleased, 2013)
Christmas traditions and celebrations are not limited to one country of origin. This is in keeping with the universality of the story – Jesus Christ came for the entire world, not just a specific group of people. Ed Blonski shares a story inspired by the Christmas song, We Three Kings of Orient Are, performed by Richard Souther. This story is found in Music from the Manger - a new book from True Men Ministries available in paperback and Kindle.
Segnalati i principali appuntamenti di Umbria Jazz Winter, ci si rilassa con tre dischi perfetti per concludere le giornate natalizie...1. High As The Sun, Me and My Friends , Look up, Split Shift Records, 2018..2. Promise Me This Much, Me and My Friends , Look up, Split Shift Records, 2018..3. All of This I Know, Me and My Friends, Look up, Split Shift Records, 2018..4. Eight Tears Ago, Something Out of Nothing, Something Out of Nothing, Caligola Records, 2018..5. Slow, Something Out of Nothing, Something Out of Nothing, Caligola Records, 2018..6. Kiki, Something Out of Nothing, Something Out of Nothing, Caligola Records, 2018..7. Petit Papa Noel, Ill Considered, An Ill Considered Christmas, Ill considered Music, 2018..8. Silent Night, Ill Considered, An Ill Considered Christmas, Ill considered Music, 2018..9. We Three Kings of Orient Are, Ill Considered, An Ill Considered Christmas, Ill considered Music, 2018
So much of the celebrations of Christmas are based on traditions.... But it is important to recognize the truth from the mythology – especially of Christmas. And it is important to focus more on the coming of Christ and less the feelings of Christmas. Ed Blonski shares a story inspired by the Christmas song, We Three Kings of Orient Are, performed by Richard Souther. This story is found in Music from the Manger - a new book from True Men Ministries available in paperback and Kindle.
8:02: "We Three Kings", also known as "We Three Kings of Orient Are" or "The Quest of the Magi", is a Christmas carol that was written by John Henry Hopkins Jr. in 1857. At the time of composing the carol, Hopkins served as the rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and he wrote the carol for a Christmas pageant in New York City. Many versions of this song have been composed and it remains a popular Christmas carol. (WikiPedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Three_Kings)
Back on October 14th, we were fortunate to have an amazing workshop with master teacher, choral director and composer, Mark Sirett. There were so many wonderful exercises he did with us that simply do not translate to written description or even audio clips; the only way to really appreciate the depth of the choral experience is to book a workshop with the man himself . Here, I will attempt to give you a taste of just one moment of the 4 hours he gave to us. This little audio excerpt illustrates two simple seeming exercises using Pierre's arrangement of "We Three Kings of Orient Are". Both exercises could be adapted using any song. The first exercise Marks works on our vowels and sound and mouth position and then he flexes our storytelling chops with the second exercise. Thanks Mark! * _Book Mark to work with your choir HERE._* _ **PleaseDONATE to support our 40th year workshops! All Donations receive a charitable receipt. About The Stairwell Carollers: Pierre Massie started our a cappella choir in 1977 while he was a music student at Ottawa University. The Stairwell Carollers are ranked alongside the best of Ontario choirs, winning both the 2010 and 2013 Ontario Music Festival Association competitions. A registered Canadian charity, we also help out local charities with our concert,CD, and cookbook sales.
Here and Now, We Three Kings of Orient Are, With Us, What Child is This, Here I Am to Worship
"We Three Kings", also known as "We Three Kings of Orient Are" or "The Quest of the Magi", is a Christmas carol written by the Reverend John Henry Hopkins, Jr., who wrote both the lyrics and the music. It is suggested to have been written in 1857 but did not appear in print until his Carols, Hymns and Song in 1863. John Henry Hopkins, Jr., then an ordained deacon in the Episcopal Church,[1] was instrumental in organizing an elaborate holiday pageant (which featured this hymn) for the students of the General Theological Seminary in New York City in 1857 while serving as the seminary's music director. In 1872 Hopkins was ordained an Episcopal priest and later served as rector at Christ Episcopal Church (Williamsport, PA).[2] We three kings of Orient areAuthor: John H. HopkinWe three kings of Orient are; Bearing gifts we traverse afar, Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star.RefrainO star of wonder, star of light, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain Gold I bring to crown Him again, King forever, ceasing never, Over us all to reign.RefrainFrankincense to offer have I; Incense owns a Deity nigh; Prayer and praising, voices raising, Worshipping God on high.RefrainMyrrh is mine, its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom; Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in the stone cold tomb.RefrainGlorious now behold Him arise; King and God and sacrifice; Alleluia, Alleluia, Sounds through the earth and skies.RefrainCOPY FREELY ©2012 Shiloh Worship Music-This Music is copyrighted to prevent misuse, however,permission is granted for non-commercial copying only. www.shilohworshipmusic.com
Christmas and Holiday Music from Karen Mal & Will TaylorRead about, listen to and support our music below.You listened to it free, but it wasn't free to make this music...so in this new world of the "free music, want to help out, do your part to support our continued creation of great acoustic music?Read below or just signup to get all of our music as a patron of Strings AttachedSee more about it here...."We Three Kings", also known as "We Three Kings of Orient Are" or "The Quest of the Magi", is a Christmas carol that was written by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. in 1857. At the time of composing the carol, Hopkins served as the rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and he wrote the carol for a Christmas pageant in New York City. Many versions of this song have been composed and it remains a popular Christmas carol. - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaBuy the CD with any credit cardITUNESMP3'S or WAV files direct from the artistCall 512-589-8749 to order by phone.Call me and I'll write a note and send it to them personally!SPOTIFY - Coming soFree Pick of the WeekOr buy it in AUSTIN texas at Waterloo RecordsBuy the CD with any credit cardITUNESMP3'S or WAV files direct from the artistCall 512-589-8749 to order by phone.Call me and I'll write a note and send it to them personally! SPOTIFYAMAZONThe story behind Austin for ChristmasAll of the songs in this collection were favorites of my mother. She loved filling the house with Christmas decorations, smells of many varieties of cookies baking, which she'd arrange in spectacular colorful gift trays, and of course Christmas music draped over the top of everything. She'd play the vinyl records on our massive stereo which was as long as our dining room table,.and she'd be as happy as we'd ever see her all year. Her happiness in itself was the best part of the season. It was contagious and it was fleeting. In our household, Christmas music represented the hope of another year, maybe a better year, and a momentary suspension of all things worrisome or sorrowful. "Yuletide by the fireside and joyful memories there." We chose the songs with an underlying theme of togetherness. No matter where you fall on the religious/ spiritual spectrum, holidays are a time of connection. Of reunion and reflectionand gratitude. And being together as the bustling world mercifully grinds to a halt, creating a glow in the darkness of the long nights of winter. - KAREN MALThe story behind A Mandolin ChristmasA jazz musician, a folk artist, 20 fingers pulling 14 strings & 19 ancient melodies that time has polished.A Mandolin Christmas Deep in the throes of the hottest summer on record in Austin, TX, Karen Mal and Will Taylor decided to make a Christmas album. It was a 112-degree "Silent Night" in their un-airconditioned recording studio in August. Even the cat was sweating. The couple had collaborated on many musical projects; his, hers, and their ensemble's, but a "Mandolin Christmas" is purely a duet in every sense of the word. It's a dance between two partners: the mandolin and the classical guitar. And that's it. Karen and Will are perhaps better-known as vocalist and violinist, respectively, but as the tracks blossomed, the two instruments just didn't seem to want any company. There's a simple elegance in the combination that makes for a classic record. "A Mandolin Christmas" is also a duet between traditional folk music and jazz. The music includes pristine old-style classical arrangements, and also subtle and playful jazz harmonizations, weaving around familiar melodies that sound like home. You can practically smell the sugar cookies coming out of the oven, see the kitchen windows steaming up. Even the packaging is a duet. Karen staged the shots in their vegetable garden. That's a real Calabacita squash with the bow on it. (we ate it for Thanksgiving) Will took the photos and fit everything into the artwork templates. If you like Christmas music even a little, you're going to love this album. You're going to love it again when you dig it out next year, and again and again, every holiday season.Violinist, composer and Austin Music Award winner Will Taylor has performed with Pearl Jam, Grammy winner Shawn Colvin, P-Diddy, Willie Nelson, Ronny Cox (Deliverance) and many more.Will and his musical friends from Austin, Texas light up your house with inspiring acoustic music.WASHINGTON POST–“Imaginatively orchestrated… multi-faceted… darting lyricism, and occasionally pensive moods, Taylor makes the grade with his deft touch and improvisatory skills.”ESQUIRE MAGAZINE–”As to the quality of the music and the professionalism, this production is far superior over the numerous recordings issued by the major record companies.”Learn how you can have Karen Mal & Will Taylor in your home here.~!Anywhere, not just where we live.More fan comments...
Christmas and Holiday Music from Karen Mal & Will TaylorRead about, listen to and support our music below.You listened to it free, but it wasn't free to make this music...so in this new world of the "free music, want to help out, do your part to support our continued creation of great acoustic music?Read below or just signup to get all of our music as a patron of Strings AttachedSee more about it here...."We Three Kings", also known as "We Three Kings of Orient Are" or "The Quest of the Magi", is a Christmas carol that was written by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. in 1857. At the time of composing the carol, Hopkins served as the rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and he wrote the carol for a Christmas pageant in New York City. Many versions of this song have been composed and it remains a popular Christmas carol. - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaBuy the CD with any credit cardITUNESMP3'S or WAV files direct from the artistCall 512-589-8749 to order by phone.Call me and I'll write a note and send it to them personally!SPOTIFY - Coming soFree Pick of the WeekOr buy it in AUSTIN texas at Waterloo RecordsBuy the CD with any credit cardITUNESMP3'S or WAV files direct from the artistCall 512-589-8749 to order by phone.Call me and I'll write a note and send it to them personally! SPOTIFYAMAZONThe story behind Austin for ChristmasAll of the songs in this collection were favorites of my mother. She loved filling the house with Christmas decorations, smells of many varieties of cookies baking, which she'd arrange in spectacular colorful gift trays, and of course Christmas music draped over the top of everything. She'd play the vinyl records on our massive stereo which was as long as our dining room table,.and she'd be as happy as we'd ever see her all year. Her happiness in itself was the best part of the season. It was contagious and it was fleeting. In our household, Christmas music represented the hope of another year, maybe a better year, and a momentary suspension of all things worrisome or sorrowful. "Yuletide by the fireside and joyful memories there." We chose the songs with an underlying theme of togetherness. No matter where you fall on the religious/ spiritual spectrum, holidays are a time of connection. Of reunion and reflectionand gratitude. And being together as the bustling world mercifully grinds to a halt, creating a glow in the darkness of the long nights of winter. - KAREN MALThe story behind A Mandolin ChristmasA jazz musician, a folk artist, 20 fingers pulling 14 strings & 19 ancient melodies that time has polished.A Mandolin Christmas Deep in the throes of the hottest summer on record in Austin, TX, Karen Mal and Will Taylor decided to make a Christmas album. It was a 112-degree "Silent Night" in their un-airconditioned recording studio in August. Even the cat was sweating. The couple had collaborated on many musical projects; his, hers, and their ensemble's, but a "Mandolin Christmas" is purely a duet in every sense of the word. It's a dance between two partners: the mandolin and the classical guitar. And that's it. Karen and Will are perhaps better-known as vocalist and violinist, respectively, but as the tracks blossomed, the two instruments just didn't seem to want any company. There's a simple elegance in the combination that makes for a classic record. "A Mandolin Christmas" is also a duet between traditional folk music and jazz. The music includes pristine old-style classical arrangements, and also subtle and playful jazz harmonizations, weaving around familiar melodies that sound like home. You can practically smell the sugar cookies coming out of the oven, see the kitchen windows steaming up. Even the packaging is a duet. Karen staged the shots in their vegetable garden. That's a real Calabacita squash with the bow on it. (we ate it for Thanksgiving) Will took the photos and fit everything into the artwork templates. If you like Christmas music even a little, you're going to love this album. You're going to love it again when you dig it out next year, and again and again, every holiday season.Violinist, composer and Austin Music Award winner Will Taylor has performed with Pearl Jam, Grammy winner Shawn Colvin, P-Diddy, Willie Nelson, Ronny Cox (Deliverance) and many more.Will and his musical friends from Austin, Texas light up your house with inspiring acoustic music.WASHINGTON POST–“Imaginatively orchestrated… multi-faceted… darting lyricism, and occasionally pensive moods, Taylor makes the grade with his deft touch and improvisatory skills.”ESQUIRE MAGAZINE–”As to the quality of the music and the professionalism, this production is far superior over the numerous recordings issued by the major record companies.”Learn how you can have Karen Mal & Will Taylor in your home here.~!Anywhere, not just where we live.More fan comments...
Christmas and Holiday Music from Karen Mal & Will TaylorRead about, listen to and support our music below.You listened to it free, but it wasn't free to make this music...so in this new world of the "free music, want to help out, do your part to support our continued creation of great acoustic music?Read below or just signup to get all of our music as a patron of Strings AttachedSee more about it here...."We Three Kings", also known as "We Three Kings of Orient Are" or "The Quest of the Magi", is a Christmas carol that was written by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. in 1857. At the time of composing the carol, Hopkins served as the rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and he wrote the carol for a Christmas pageant in New York City. Many versions of this song have been composed and it remains a popular Christmas carol. - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaBuy the CD with any credit cardITUNESMP3'S or WAV files direct from the artistCall 512-589-8749 to order by phone.Call me and I'll write a note and send it to them personally!SPOTIFY - Coming soFree Pick of the WeekOr buy it in AUSTIN texas at Waterloo RecordsBuy the CD with any credit cardITUNESMP3'S or WAV files direct from the artistCall 512-589-8749 to order by phone.Call me and I'll write a note and send it to them personally! SPOTIFYAMAZONThe story behind Austin for ChristmasAll of the songs in this collection were favorites of my mother. She loved filling the house with Christmas decorations, smells of many varieties of cookies baking, which she'd arrange in spectacular colorful gift trays, and of course Christmas music draped over the top of everything. She'd play the vinyl records on our massive stereo which was as long as our dining room table,.and she'd be as happy as we'd ever see her all year. Her happiness in itself was the best part of the season. It was contagious and it was fleeting. In our household, Christmas music represented the hope of another year, maybe a better year, and a momentary suspension of all things worrisome or sorrowful. "Yuletide by the fireside and joyful memories there." We chose the songs with an underlying theme of togetherness. No matter where you fall on the religious/ spiritual spectrum, holidays are a time of connection. Of reunion and reflectionand gratitude. And being together as the bustling world mercifully grinds to a halt, creating a glow in the darkness of the long nights of winter. - KAREN MALThe story behind A Mandolin ChristmasA jazz musician, a folk artist, 20 fingers pulling 14 strings & 19 ancient melodies that time has polished.A Mandolin Christmas Deep in the throes of the hottest summer on record in Austin, TX, Karen Mal and Will Taylor decided to make a Christmas album. It was a 112-degree "Silent Night" in their un-airconditioned recording studio in August. Even the cat was sweating. The couple had collaborated on many musical projects; his, hers, and their ensemble's, but a "Mandolin Christmas" is purely a duet in every sense of the word. It's a dance between two partners: the mandolin and the classical guitar. And that's it. Karen and Will are perhaps better-known as vocalist and violinist, respectively, but as the tracks blossomed, the two instruments just didn't seem to want any company. There's a simple elegance in the combination that makes for a classic record. "A Mandolin Christmas" is also a duet between traditional folk music and jazz. The music includes pristine old-style classical arrangements, and also subtle and playful jazz harmonizations, weaving around familiar melodies that sound like home. You can practically smell the sugar cookies coming out of the oven, see the kitchen windows steaming up. Even the packaging is a duet. Karen staged the shots in their vegetable garden. That's a real Calabacita squash with the bow on it. (we ate it for Thanksgiving) Will took the photos and fit everything into the artwork templates. If you like Christmas music even a little, you're going to love this album. You're going to love it again when you dig it out next year, and again and again, every holiday season.Violinist, composer and Austin Music Award winner Will Taylor has performed with Pearl Jam, Grammy winner Shawn Colvin, P-Diddy, Willie Nelson, Ronny Cox (Deliverance) and many more.Will and his musical friends from Austin, Texas light up your house with inspiring acoustic music.WASHINGTON POST–“Imaginatively orchestrated… multi-faceted… darting lyricism, and occasionally pensive moods, Taylor makes the grade with his deft touch and improvisatory skills.”ESQUIRE MAGAZINE–”As to the quality of the music and the professionalism, this production is far superior over the numerous recordings issued by the major record companies.”Learn how you can have Karen Mal & Will Taylor in your home here.~!Anywhere, not just where we live.More fan comments...
Christmas and Holiday Music from Karen Mal & Will TaylorRead about, listen to and support our music below.You listened to it free, but it wasn't free to make this music...so in this new world of the "free music, want to help out, do your part to support our continued creation of great acoustic music?Read below or just signup to get all of our music as a patron of Strings AttachedSee more about it here...."We Three Kings", also known as "We Three Kings of Orient Are" or "The Quest of the Magi", is a Christmas carol that was written by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. in 1857. At the time of composing the carol, Hopkins served as the rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and he wrote the carol for a Christmas pageant in New York City. Many versions of this song have been composed and it remains a popular Christmas carol. - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaBuy the CD with any credit cardITUNESMP3'S or WAV files direct from the artistCall 512-589-8749 to order by phone.Call me and I'll write a note and send it to them personally!SPOTIFY - Coming soFree Pick of the WeekOr buy it in AUSTIN texas at Waterloo RecordsBuy the CD with any credit cardITUNESMP3'S or WAV files direct from the artistCall 512-589-8749 to order by phone.Call me and I'll write a note and send it to them personally! SPOTIFYAMAZONThe story behind Austin for ChristmasAll of the songs in this collection were favorites of my mother. She loved filling the house with Christmas decorations, smells of many varieties of cookies baking, which she'd arrange in spectacular colorful gift trays, and of course Christmas music draped over the top of everything. She'd play the vinyl records on our massive stereo which was as long as our dining room table,.and she'd be as happy as we'd ever see her all year. Her happiness in itself was the best part of the season. It was contagious and it was fleeting. In our household, Christmas music represented the hope of another year, maybe a better year, and a momentary suspension of all things worrisome or sorrowful. "Yuletide by the fireside and joyful memories there." We chose the songs with an underlying theme of togetherness. No matter where you fall on the religious/ spiritual spectrum, holidays are a time of connection. Of reunion and reflectionand gratitude. And being together as the bustling world mercifully grinds to a halt, creating a glow in the darkness of the long nights of winter. - KAREN MALThe story behind A Mandolin ChristmasA jazz musician, a folk artist, 20 fingers pulling 14 strings & 19 ancient melodies that time has polished.A Mandolin Christmas Deep in the throes of the hottest summer on record in Austin, TX, Karen Mal and Will Taylor decided to make a Christmas album. It was a 112-degree "Silent Night" in their un-airconditioned recording studio in August. Even the cat was sweating. The couple had collaborated on many musical projects; his, hers, and their ensemble's, but a "Mandolin Christmas" is purely a duet in every sense of the word. It's a dance between two partners: the mandolin and the classical guitar. And that's it. Karen and Will are perhaps better-known as vocalist and violinist, respectively, but as the tracks blossomed, the two instruments just didn't seem to want any company. There's a simple elegance in the combination that makes for a classic record. "A Mandolin Christmas" is also a duet between traditional folk music and jazz. The music includes pristine old-style classical arrangements, and also subtle and playful jazz harmonizations, weaving around familiar melodies that sound like home. You can practically smell the sugar cookies coming out of the oven, see the kitchen windows steaming up. Even the packaging is a duet. Karen staged the shots in their vegetable garden. That's a real Calabacita squash with the bow on it. (we ate it for Thanksgiving) Will took the photos and fit everything into the artwork templates. If you like Christmas music even a little, you're going to love this album. You're going to love it again when you dig it out next year, and again and again, every holiday season.Violinist, composer and Austin Music Award winner Will Taylor has performed with Pearl Jam, Grammy winner Shawn Colvin, P-Diddy, Willie Nelson, Ronny Cox (Deliverance) and many more.Will and his musical friends from Austin, Texas light up your house with inspiring acoustic music.WASHINGTON POST–“Imaginatively orchestrated… multi-faceted… darting lyricism, and occasionally pensive moods, Taylor makes the grade with his deft touch and improvisatory skills.”ESQUIRE MAGAZINE–”As to the quality of the music and the professionalism, this production is far superior over the numerous recordings issued by the major record companies.”Learn how you can have Karen Mal & Will Taylor in your home here.~!Anywhere, not just where we live.More fan comments...
Christmas and Holiday Music from Karen Mal & Will TaylorRead about, listen to and support our music below.You listened to it free, but it wasn't free to make this music...so in this new world of the "free music, want to help out, do your part to support our continued creation of great acoustic music?Read below or just signup to get all of our music as a patron of Strings AttachedSee more about it here...."We Three Kings", also known as "We Three Kings of Orient Are" or "The Quest of the Magi", is a Christmas carol that was written by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. in 1857. At the time of composing the carol, Hopkins served as the rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and he wrote the carol for a Christmas pageant in New York City. Many versions of this song have been composed and it remains a popular Christmas carol. - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaBuy the CD with any credit cardITUNESMP3'S or WAV files direct from the artistCall 512-589-8749 to order by phone.Call me and I'll write a note and send it to them personally!SPOTIFY - Coming soFree Pick of the WeekOr buy it in AUSTIN texas at Waterloo RecordsBuy the CD with any credit cardITUNESMP3'S or WAV files direct from the artistCall 512-589-8749 to order by phone.Call me and I'll write a note and send it to them personally! SPOTIFYAMAZONThe story behind Austin for ChristmasAll of the songs in this collection were favorites of my mother. She loved filling the house with Christmas decorations, smells of many varieties of cookies baking, which she'd arrange in spectacular colorful gift trays, and of course Christmas music draped over the top of everything. She'd play the vinyl records on our massive stereo which was as long as our dining room table,.and she'd be as happy as we'd ever see her all year. Her happiness in itself was the best part of the season. It was contagious and it was fleeting. In our household, Christmas music represented the hope of another year, maybe a better year, and a momentary suspension of all things worrisome or sorrowful. "Yuletide by the fireside and joyful memories there." We chose the songs with an underlying theme of togetherness. No matter where you fall on the religious/ spiritual spectrum, holidays are a time of connection. Of reunion and reflectionand gratitude. And being together as the bustling world mercifully grinds to a halt, creating a glow in the darkness of the long nights of winter. - KAREN MALThe story behind A Mandolin ChristmasA jazz musician, a folk artist, 20 fingers pulling 14 strings & 19 ancient melodies that time has polished.A Mandolin Christmas Deep in the throes of the hottest summer on record in Austin, TX, Karen Mal and Will Taylor decided to make a Christmas album. It was a 112-degree "Silent Night" in their un-airconditioned recording studio in August. Even the cat was sweating. The couple had collaborated on many musical projects; his, hers, and their ensemble's, but a "Mandolin Christmas" is purely a duet in every sense of the word. It's a dance between two partners: the mandolin and the classical guitar. And that's it. Karen and Will are perhaps better-known as vocalist and violinist, respectively, but as the tracks blossomed, the two instruments just didn't seem to want any company. There's a simple elegance in the combination that makes for a classic record. "A Mandolin Christmas" is also a duet between traditional folk music and jazz. The music includes pristine old-style classical arrangements, and also subtle and playful jazz harmonizations, weaving around familiar melodies that sound like home. You can practically smell the sugar cookies coming out of the oven, see the kitchen windows steaming up. Even the packaging is a duet. Karen staged the shots in their vegetable garden. That's a real Calabacita squash with the bow on it. (we ate it for Thanksgiving) Will took the photos and fit everything into the artwork templates. If you like Christmas music even a little, you're going to love this album. You're going to love it again when you dig it out next year, and again and again, every holiday season.Violinist, composer and Austin Music Award winner Will Taylor has performed with Pearl Jam, Grammy winner Shawn Colvin, P-Diddy, Willie Nelson, Ronny Cox (Deliverance) and many more.Will and his musical friends from Austin, Texas light up your house with inspiring acoustic music.WASHINGTON POST–“Imaginatively orchestrated… multi-faceted… darting lyricism, and occasionally pensive moods, Taylor makes the grade with his deft touch and improvisatory skills.”ESQUIRE MAGAZINE–”As to the quality of the music and the professionalism, this production is far superior over the numerous recordings issued by the major record companies.”Learn how you can have Karen Mal & Will Taylor in your home here.~!Anywhere, not just where we live.More fan comments...
Christmas and Holiday Music from Karen Mal & Will TaylorRead about, listen to and support our music below.You listened to it free, but it wasn't free to make this music...so in this new world of the "free music, want to help out, do your part to support our continued creation of great acoustic music?Read below or just signup to get all of our music as a patron of Strings AttachedSee more about it here...."We Three Kings", also known as "We Three Kings of Orient Are" or "The Quest of the Magi", is a Christmas carol that was written by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. in 1857. At the time of composing the carol, Hopkins served as the rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and he wrote the carol for a Christmas pageant in New York City. Many versions of this song have been composed and it remains a popular Christmas carol. - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaBuy the CD with any credit cardITUNESMP3'S or WAV files direct from the artistCall 512-589-8749 to order by phone.Call me and I'll write a note and send it to them personally!SPOTIFY - Coming soFree Pick of the WeekOr buy it in AUSTIN texas at Waterloo RecordsBuy the CD with any credit cardITUNESMP3'S or WAV files direct from the artistCall 512-589-8749 to order by phone.Call me and I'll write a note and send it to them personally! SPOTIFYAMAZONThe story behind Austin for ChristmasAll of the songs in this collection were favorites of my mother. She loved filling the house with Christmas decorations, smells of many varieties of cookies baking, which she'd arrange in spectacular colorful gift trays, and of course Christmas music draped over the top of everything. She'd play the vinyl records on our massive stereo which was as long as our dining room table,.and she'd be as happy as we'd ever see her all year. Her happiness in itself was the best part of the season. It was contagious and it was fleeting. In our household, Christmas music represented the hope of another year, maybe a better year, and a momentary suspension of all things worrisome or sorrowful. "Yuletide by the fireside and joyful memories there." We chose the songs with an underlying theme of togetherness. No matter where you fall on the religious/ spiritual spectrum, holidays are a time of connection. Of reunion and reflectionand gratitude. And being together as the bustling world mercifully grinds to a halt, creating a glow in the darkness of the long nights of winter. - KAREN MALThe story behind A Mandolin ChristmasA jazz musician, a folk artist, 20 fingers pulling 14 strings & 19 ancient melodies that time has polished.A Mandolin Christmas Deep in the throes of the hottest summer on record in Austin, TX, Karen Mal and Will Taylor decided to make a Christmas album. It was a 112-degree "Silent Night" in their un-airconditioned recording studio in August. Even the cat was sweating. The couple had collaborated on many musical projects; his, hers, and their ensemble's, but a "Mandolin Christmas" is purely a duet in every sense of the word. It's a dance between two partners: the mandolin and the classical guitar. And that's it. Karen and Will are perhaps better-known as vocalist and violinist, respectively, but as the tracks blossomed, the two instruments just didn't seem to want any company. There's a simple elegance in the combination that makes for a classic record. "A Mandolin Christmas" is also a duet between traditional folk music and jazz. The music includes pristine old-style classical arrangements, and also subtle and playful jazz harmonizations, weaving around familiar melodies that sound like home. You can practically smell the sugar cookies coming out of the oven, see the kitchen windows steaming up. Even the packaging is a duet. Karen staged the shots in their vegetable garden. That's a real Calabacita squash with the bow on it. (we ate it for Thanksgiving) Will took the photos and fit everything into the artwork templates. If you like Christmas music even a little, you're going to love this album. You're going to love it again when you dig it out next year, and again and again, every holiday season.Violinist, composer and Austin Music Award winner Will Taylor has performed with Pearl Jam, Grammy winner Shawn Colvin, P-Diddy, Willie Nelson, Ronny Cox (Deliverance) and many more.Will and his musical friends from Austin, Texas light up your house with inspiring acoustic music.WASHINGTON POST–“Imaginatively orchestrated… multi-faceted… darting lyricism, and occasionally pensive moods, Taylor makes the grade with his deft touch and improvisatory skills.”ESQUIRE MAGAZINE–”As to the quality of the music and the professionalism, this production is far superior over the numerous recordings issued by the major record companies.”Learn how you can have Karen Mal & Will Taylor in your home here.~!Anywhere, not just where we live.More fan comments...
sermon transcript Introduction: What is Epiphany? Traditional Date: January 6th Recently, I was reading an article in National Geographic on some of the new-fangled telescopes that they're making that are apparently going to be multiple times stronger than the Hubble Space Telescope, and yet here on Earth. They will be in Chile, in other places, and they are just huge. But I was really arrested by the opening paragraph as the author writes, he said this, “When you start stargazing with a telescope, two experiences typically ensue. First, you are astonished by the view—Saturn's golden rings, star clusters glittering like jewelry on black velvet, galaxies aglow with gentle ancient starlight. Second, you soon want a bigger telescope” Later in the article, he said this, "A telescope doesn't just show you what's out there, it impresses upon you how little you know," and that kind of awareness is sometimes called an epiphany, an awareness of just how little you know. That word was on my mind as I was writing this sermon, epiphany, is a date on the church calendar, not our church, generally, we don't follow the liturgy in the church calendar, but genuinely, January 6 is Epiphany. I was raised Roman Catholic - don't be afraid, dear Baptist friends - I'm not bringing us back to Rome or back to the church calendar, but I was thinking about this word epiphany, the Feast of Epiphany follows the 12-day feast of Christmas, it's generally associated with the visit of the Magi. That is a Biblical focal event. Definition Now, what does the word means? It's really a transliteration of a Greek word, which means to manifest or to show or to display. In the Greek religion, in the Greek religious world, there would sometimes be a sudden unveiling or manifestation of a divine being, sometimes the Pantheon, the Gods would come down in human form, and suddenly you'd realize you're in Zeus' presence. The word is actually used in multiple ways in other fields, for example, there are books that have Epiphanies, authors that write them in, sudden awakening or perception about the true nature of something, an illuminating discovery, that kind of thing, realization or disclosure. Short story writer, O Henry, delighted in these kinds of things, and every Christmas we read The Gift of the Magi, I don't know if you've ever read that one, but it's a pleasant little story, a short story, and epiphany is right in the center of that one. It's a story about two young newlyweds who are living in a 19th century tenement, some poor dwelling. They have almost no money, but they want to give precious gifts to each other, and so, the young woman sells her hair, she cuts off her hair to a wig maker, so that she can buy a chain for her husband's precious inheritance, his pocket watch, which he sells to buy some combs for her hair. And so, they have an epiphany, really of not just what each had done, but of the love they have for each other. He called it The Gift of the Magi, because he centers it on the idea of that kind of a sacrificial gift, and the gift ultimately of Christ to us. It happens in other fields too, not just literature, but science. Perhaps you've heard the story of Archimedes who was hired by a local Greek tyrant to pursue a jeweler, who he thinks had cheated him. This King thought that the jeweler had made a crown that was supposed to be pure gold out of partly silver, partly gold, and he wanted Archimedes to find out whether it was so without destroying the crown. Hard to do. But he was there at the local bath, and as he got into the bath and saw the water spill out, he had an idea concerning what we know as specific gravity, how some things are -you know, displace more weight, and he said, “Eureka,” which means, I found it. He had an epiphany, he figured out how to do it. And so, science throughout time has had those kind of moments, Isaac Newton with the apple falling, and he thinks about gravity. Albert Einstein's father gave him when he was five years old a compass, and he kept trying to get the needle to end up somewhere other than true north, and he couldn't do it. And he started thinking about this mystical force, this magnetic force, and it got him thinking ultimately toward Physics. Basic Concept So, these kind of moments of epiphany are around us all the time, but I want to focus on the true epiphany that there is in the world, and that is not anything that we discover about ourselves, some new insight about yourself, good or bad, I don't mean that. Anything we discover about the physical nature or scientific world around us, however valuable that might be. Or something you discover in history, or a surprise ending in literature, none of that. The true epiphany is Christ Himself. That Christ would manifest Himself to you. That's my desire this morning. If that happens, I will have succeeded today. That Christ would in some way reveal Himself to you, manifest Himself to you. Christ is an infinite being, the second person of the trinity, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, light from light, very God from very God begotten, not made. Being of one substance with the Father through whom all things were made. He is the ancient of days, living in eternal union with the Father, eternal relationship, good fellowship with the Father. Through Christ, God the Father created all things. Everything that was created was created through Christ, and there's not a person in this room here today that fully and perfectly and completely knows Christ. You all have more learning to do as do I, and it will take an eternity of epiphanies, of new moments of insight, of new flashes of inspiration. And I contend, I'm going to end up the sermon there, I'm just telling you where I'm going, that's what we're going to spend eternity doing. Having more and more manifestations of Jesus, more and more insights into the greatness of Christ. We're going to spend eternity that way. This is the central business of our lives that we might know God, the only true God, and that we might know Christ whom God the Father has sent. That is eternal life. Christ Manifested to the Magi Account Given in Matthew 2:1-12 So let's focus on this first epiphany, the one that they do in the church calendar is this one to the Magi in Matthew Chapter 2. You can look there in your Bibles, if you like, at the account, Matthew 2:1-12. Keith read it for us, I'm going to go over it again, just to have the words in your mind. Matthew Chapter 2, "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one born King of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship Him.' When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 'In Bethlehem, in Judea,' they replied. For this is what the prophet has written. But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler, who will be the shepherd of my people, Israel. Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 'Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report back to me, so that I too may go and worship him.' After they had heard the king, they went on their way and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route." Who Were the Magi? Now, who were these Magi? There are lots of popular considerations of them, they have grasped the imagination of people reading these accounts for 2000 years. You've sung the hymn “We Three Kings of Orient Are.” Eric told me he bumped it from the worship service after reading my sermon manuscript, so it's alright to sing “We Three Kings of Orient Are.” We don't know for sure if there were three, and we don't know for sure that they were kings. Maybe, maybe not. So go ahead and sing it, but just know, maybe, maybe not, as you sing, “We Three Kings of Orient Are.” Marvin Vincent in Word Studies in the New Testament said this, "Many absurd traditions and guesses respecting these visitors to our Lord's cradle have found their way into popular belief and into Christian art. They were said to be kings and three in number, they were said to be representatives of the three families of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and therefore one of them is pictured as an Ethiopian. Their names are given as Gaspar, and Balthasar, and Melchior and their three skulls said to have been discovered in the 12th century by Bishop Rainald of Cologne are exhibited in a priceless casket in the great cathedral of that city. So during the Middle Ages and Medieval Roman Catholic times, when Pilgrims were going all over Europe to seek out relics and to worship based on those relics, they would go to Cologne and there would be these three skulls with three golden crowns, one on each skull. How weird is that? And there's this huge gold and silver box with Crystal, and you're looking through these skulls and you kneel down and worship something. I'm not sure what you're worshipping at that reliquary, but there they were, and they would look at these skulls. It’s hard to prove or disprove concerning the skulls, but that's the way it was with relics in the Middle Ages, but who were the Magi? Well, in the Old Testament world, the Greek historian Herodotus said the Magi were a priestly caste from the Medes. The Medes live in the land we now know as Iran, modern Iran, Persia. They were very active throughout the fertile crescent of Mesopotamia, especially in Babylon during the Old Testament era. They were originally priests in the early form of that religion that came to be known as Zoroastrianism. They had an altar on which they claimed there was a perpetual flame that had come down from heaven. They kept it burning forever, and they offered on it blood sacrifices. Zoroastrianism had become the official religion of Persia by the 6th century BC. It's still practiced today in India by the Parsis who were refugees, who fled from the Muslims in the 7th century AD. So the Parsis still practice Zoroastrianism and are probably the descendants of the Magi. The Magi religion is monotheistic and bears some resemblance outwardly to Judaism, but it has deep roots in the occult. Magi used demonic practices such as sorcery and astrology and wizardry and divination of dreams and communication with the dead, and other occultic practices that are strictly forbidden in scripture. The words magic and magician come from the Magi. In the Babylonian kingdom, Magis were extremely influential in Nebuchadnezzar's court. They figure prominently in the Book of Daniel. So they were counselors and advisors. They looked at the stars or they interpreted dreams, and in this way, they could give information to Kings. And thus the word magistrate also comes from the Magi. Magis had a special skill in interpreting dreams, but Nebuchadnezzar apparently didn't trust it as you remember in Daniel Chapter 2, he wanted the Magi to tell him what his dream was and then to interpret. They needed to clear their supernatural credentials with him first, and no one could do that, except that God revealed it to Daniel in a dream. "'And you remember the substance of that dream, and the substance of it was of a statue with a head of gold and chest and arms of silver and belly and thighs of bronze and legs of iron and feet, partly iron and partly clay that represented the flow of human history and how a rock was cut out, but not by human hands, and it struck that statue and turned it into chaff and a wind blew all the chaff away, but the rock that was cut out, that supernatural rock became a huge mountain that filled the whole earth."' And Daniel interpreted and said, 'In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all of those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.'" Now, you know what happened, Daniel became basically the chief of the Magi, at that point. He was promoted and was in charge of all the Magi. Do you think it's possible he might have more fully instructed the Magi in that kingdom, in the prophecies that Isaiah and Jeremiah and others had given concerning that coming king? I don't think it's a stretch to think that Daniel would have trained them, the Magi concerning this. Well, if you fast forward ahead to the time of Christ, the Magi suddenly appear in the court of King Herod. Verse 1 and 2, "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem and Judea, during the time of King Herod, here come these Magi from the east. And where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw a star in the east and have come to worship Him." At this time, Magi would still have had tremendous influence in the Middle East. Of course, the power of the West was Rome, but they were centered around the Mediterranean Sea. All the other empires up to that point had been mostly eastward-type empires, heading toward India, going that direction. The Babylonian, the Medes, and the Persians, the Greeks, Alexander went right to the Indus River, going east, going east. Rome was West, and Rome basically face west and went up north toward France and Britain. And East and West kind of met in the Middle East, right around Palestine. There was at that time a mighty kingdom called the Parthian Empire. And the Romans and the Parthians had numbers of battles and a struggle for supremacy. The Magi were instrumental as pretty much king makers in the Parthian Empire, and so, they would identify who the coming kings were at the Parthian Empire. So the Magi show up in the court of King Herod. Now, Herod is a Roman puppet, he's a puppet king in a buffer state between the Roman Empire and the Parthian Empire. So you can imagine why Herod would have been so disturbed by the Magi showing up. More than anything, I think Herod feared that some usurper, some king would come and take his place, he was utterly paranoid about that, so he would have been disturbed anyway by anyone coming to see a King born. But the Magi would have arrived with some pomp and circumstance, they would have shown up perhaps with a small army. John MacArthur says it's likely that they were wearing conical-shaped hats, like we associate with wizards. Probably not riding camels, but most likely riding Arabian steeds. And so, they would have been quite a forceful show. Meanwhile, Herod's army is out there helping with the census, so he would have felt threatened in every way by these Magi. King Herod heard the news about what the Magi were asking. "He was disturbed," it says, "and all Jerusalem with him." The word troubled, it means troubled, they're greatly agitated, shaken to the roots. Isn't it amazing how much earthly leaders seek selfishly to hold on to their power and they're willing to do anything to do it? So Herod starts an investigation. He starts interestingly with a Biblical investigation. Calls in his Bible experts. All the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born? "'In Bethlehem, in Judea,' they replied, 'for this is what the prophet has written: 'But you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people, Israel,''" quoting Micah Chapter 5. So he does a little Biblical investigation. Secondly, he investigates with the Magi themselves. He calls them in secretly, and he finds out from the Magi the exact time that the star had appeared in the East. And then we see his false motives. "King Herod sent them to Bethlehem and said, 'Go and make a careful search for the child. And as soon as you find him, report back to me, so I too may go and worship him.'" So he's trying to find out now an actual literal location of where this baby is. Now, Herod was one of the most murderous kings in that region's history. He was a thoroughly evil man. He was successful in politics, but he was bitterly unhappy in his private life. He married 10 wives, seeking to find happiness one after the other, including the beautiful Hasmonean Princess Mariamne who he loved passionately, but then had murdered. Later in 7 BC, he had her two sons killed as well. His favorite son, Antipater, he found conspiring against him and had him killed as well four days before his own death. And yet for all of that, he fanatically kept the Mosaic dietary regulations. He wouldn't eat any pork. And so therefore, Roman emperor Augustus said about Herod, "I would rather be Herod's pig than Herod's son." And so, it's not a stretch to imagine why he would, at the end of Matthew 2, slaughter all of the infants in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under. Clearly not worried about collateral damage, but he wanted to be sure that this infant was killed. So that was Herod. Herod's offer of worship was clearly false. Oh may it not be that way with us. "'These people honor me with their lips,' said the Lord, 'but their hearts are far from me.'" What is the nature of our worship toward Christ? Herod was a hypocrite, a liar. He didn't have any intention of worshipping Christ, but the Magi were different. The Worship of the Magi The Lord had done, I believe, a supernatural work in the Magi's heart. The worship of the Magi, I believe, was sincere. Look at Verses 9-11, "After they heard the king, they went on their way and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. And when they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh." So now we come to the epiphany, Christ disclosing himself, or God the Father, disclosing Christ to these Magi. Christ disclosed himself to the Magi in multiple ways. Let's start with Scripture. I believe that that's probably where they first heard about the King of the Jews, not from the star, but from the prophecies, maybe as early as the time of Daniel, but certainly through multiple interactions with the Jews who were scattered throughout that region, and so they are aware of the prophetic word, the Jews were conquered people. It did not seem like anything would come from the stump of Jesse, but God had planned that a shoot would come up from the stump of Jesse, he had said it through Isaiah the prophet. And like the thief on the cross who looked over to a dying Jesus and said, "Remember me Lord, when you come in your kingdom," so also these believers in the prophecies were able to look not at the present circumstances of Israel, but at the prophecies and the power of God behind them, that some day there would be a glorious king of the Jews who would rule over all the earth. And so the Magi were not in fact king makers in this case, they were just king recognizers; they recognized that Jesus was born King of the Jews. And so the epiphany came first through Scripture, through the prophecies. Secondly, it came through the star, the supernatural star, never has there ever been a star like this star, and never will be again, I would imagine. It was a remarkable star, it was a star that led them on a journey, it moved. It was a moving star, movable star. I don't know what it is, and it's always humorous to go over to the UNC planetarium and they suppose what it was, or aligning up. Look, I'm telling you what, planets don't line up and move over a specific house in Bethlehem, amen, they don't do that. And so this was a moving star, so it was high up in the sky enough that it was seen to be a star, but it was moving. It was traveling. They had never seen anything like this, and it caused them to get their entourage together and move out. I don't know what it was. Some believers think it might have been somewhat like the Shekinah Glory of God, you know how God moved in a pillar of fire and led the Jews through the promised land in that way, and maybe he just kind of shortened it down to a star up in the sky, or maybe it was an angel. Sometimes angels are called stars. An angel who just shone with a certain radiance it looked like a star and moved, and when they saw the star stop in Bethlehem, right over the house where Jesus was, they're overjoyed. And I don't think it's a stretch to think that there was some kind of light that then shone down on the specific house. Bethlehem was a town, a village, maybe even a little city, and a specific place was identified by the light of the star, and so I don't think that the Christmas card artists are too far off when they show a star up in the sky and a light coming down right onto the house where Jesus was. But now comes the true epiphany, and that is that this little baby should be worshipped, worshipped. "On coming to the house, they saw the child at last, with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him." The epiphany was not complete without seeing the face of the baby, and perhaps their motives would have been mixed maybe somewhat political, I don't know what all their motives were in moving out and making that journey, but their motives and falling on their face and worshipping the baby were simple. This baby was God. And I believe that God the Father had revealed his son to them. This was the epiphany. Jesus said this in John 6:44, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him and I will raise him up at the last day." So the epiphany of Jesus was a direct revelation to their hearts of the true identity of this baby, not merely King of the Jews, but Son of God, that's why they worshipped. What is the Significance of their Visit? Now, what was the significance of their visit? I think their visit itself was a sort of acted out prophecy of the future success of the kingdom of Christ. These Magi were Gentiles, and they were coming to open up their hearts and their treasuries and pour out blessing on the Christ. It's a picture, I think, of the success of the Gospel among the Gentiles worldwide. Certainly the gold and the incense and the myrrh, pre-figure certain aspects of Christ's ministry, gold, Kings, a treasure and incense somewhat the priestly aspect used in the Levitical priestly ministry, and then myrrh was used to wrap up dead bodies and used to wrap up Jesus' body as well, a prediction of the death of Christ as well. But I think even more, there's a sense that these Gentiles, these significant Gentiles have traveled a distance to come and worship Jesus and give gifts of worship to Him. And so it says in Isaiah 60 and Verse 11, speaking of the New Jerusalem, where Jesus will sit on His throne and He will receive worship for all eternity. And it says in Isaiah 60 and Verse 11, speaking of the New Jerusalem, "Your gates will always stand open. They will never be shut day or night, so that men may bring you the wealth of the nations-- their kings led in triumphal procession." Picking up on the same idea of the Lord, moved, John in the Book of Revelation, to describe that Holy City, the new Jerusalem. In Revelation 21, "The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. And the nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and the honor of the nations will be brought into it. Glory in the honor of the nations will be brought into the New Jerusalem. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life". So this is the epiphany, the revelation of the identity of Christ to these wandering Magi, but the epiphanies, dear friends, were just beginning at that point. Christ Manifested to the Jews by His Life The Apostle John’s Statement Christ's physical life on earth was an epiphany, a revelation of God the Father. The Apostle John said this in John 1:14, "The word became flesh and made His dwelling among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory of the only begotten, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." Jesus' life in the body was an epiphany of God's nature. Anyone who sees him has seen the Father. And so John also writes in 1 John 1:2, "The life appeared; we have seen it, and we testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared" - same Greek word, epiphany – "has appeared to us." So Jesus' life in the body was an epiphany of the nature of God. John the Baptist’s Testimony So also at the moment of John the Baptist testimony concerning him, Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, He's revealing His mission. But he did more than that. John the Baptist said this to huge numbers of people who were standing around, and a huge entourage, every day, people went out to be baptized by John, and John proclaimed this, "'I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was so that he might be revealed'" -that's a word, epiphany – "'revealed to Israel.' Then John gave this testimony, 'I saw the spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on Him. I myself would not have known Him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me the man on whom you see the spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. I have seen and I testify that He is the Son of God.'" So even John wouldn't have known Him except that God revealed it to him. The Miracles of Jesus The miracles of Jesus were each one of them epiphanies. Each one of them, a revelation of the nature of God and of the power of Christ, the identity of Christ. For example, the first one, after changing water into wine at the wedding at Cana in Galilee, John made the statement in John 2:11, "This the first of His miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed" –epiphany – "he thus revealed His glory and His disciples put their trust in him." So Jesus' miracles were displays of Christ, displays of his compassion, displays of his knowledge and of His power, and displays of His love and His nature. At the end of that gospel of John, John wrote this, "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples which are not recorded in this book, but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. And that by believing you may have life in His name." Has that happened to you? Has God revealed - God the Father - revealed the Son to you in such a way that you have life in His name? Have you trusted in Him? Have you known His power to transform a sinful heart? I plead with you, come to Christ. I plead with you to believe in Jesus, you are hearing the gospel this morning that God became man, that He suffered and died on a cross, his blood was shed for the sins of the world. That if you simply trust in Him, your sins can be forgiven. My desire is that as I speak these words, the Holy Spirit will be revealing Christ in some heart today who's never seen him before like he or she should. That today would be for you, the day of salvation. Trust in Him, that's why the miracles were done originally, and that's why they were written in the book, so that we might know that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Oh, may God reveal it to you. Peter’s Confession Remember Peter's confession, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Do you remember what Jesus said? "Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in Heaven." If the Father will reveal Christ to you you'll be saved. You will see the light of the glory of Christ and you will be saved. Revealed by His Resurrection from the Dead It's an epiphany. And it happened when Christ was raised from the dead as well. It says in Romans 1:4, "who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead." A display of the glory of God and the resurrection of Christ. Now, that's why we're here today. When I was growing up, you always went to church on Christmas Day. And I was talking to my sister out about it. “You don't have a service on Christmas Day,” I said we do if it lands on Sunday. We celebrate the Lord's day because he rose from the dead. And there's an intimate connection between the birth of Christ and the resurrection of Christ from the dead. It's why he came to defeat death, took on a human body for that reason, and what an epiphany that was. Christ Manifested to Individuals by the Gospel As the Gospel is Preached, Christ is Revealed And so even now, dear friends, around the world, there are more epiphanies than we can count. Hundreds of thousands of them every day, just like the one that happened to Simon Peter, an epiphany of Jesus, when the gospel is preached, the gospel is the power of God for salvation. And while the gospel is being preached, the Holy Spirit then does something in the human heart, takes out that heart of stone and puts in that heart of flesh, opens eyes of the heart, that were blind to Jesus, and suddenly the light shines in, and it's an epiphany of Christ. As the gospel is proclaimed, very, very plainly, Christ is manifested and he appears. Christ is publicly portrayed in Galatians 3, as crucified. That Vision Saves Souls! Epiphanies All Over the Earth We proclaim Christ, we portray Christ, and then the Holy Spirit reveals Christ in the heart and people are saved. Christ is manifested every moment also, moment by moment in the hearts of believers too. Are you done with epiphanies? You done with manifestations of Christ? Do you have enough Jesus? Thank you very much. Oh, no Christian would ever say that. The apostle Paul put it this way, in Philippians 3:10, "I want to know Christ." If you want to ask me what I want, "I want to know Christ, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing, the sufferings," I want more of Jesus. This is an apostle who had written the book of Romans, who had done all these magnificent things, he had been caught up to paradise, and all it did is make him want more of Jesus. Christ Manifested to Believers by the Spirit The More You Obey Christ, the More of Himself He Will Disclose to You Do you have enough Jesus or Christian friend? Or would you like some more epiphany? Would you like some more revelation? Well, turn in your Bibles to John chapter 14, and verse 21. I want to give you the secret for a lifetime of epiphanies. Here's the secret right here in John's gospel. It's not much of a secret because I've told you probably 40 times before, but I'm going to show it to you again. John 14, and verse 21. You want to know more of Jesus? You're feeling distant from him? You're feeling cold toward Christ? Is your heart a little hardened? You don't feel His presence in your life? John 14:21 is the answer for you. "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me, and whoever loves me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love him and will…" What do you have? "…manifest," disclose, reveal "myself to him." Same Greek root, not epiphany, but related to it, He will show, he will display Himself to you continually, if you meet the criteria. Daily Life a Series of Epiphanies for the Obedient Christian Look at it again. Whoever has my commandments. What does it mean? You have to know what they are. What are the commandments of Christ? Where are they found? They're found in the written Word of God. Saturate your mind with the commands of Christ, find out what he wants you to do. Know the Word of God, re-dedicate yourself in 2010 to taking in the Word of God. Let Him speak to you what His commands are for you, and every day those commandments stand over you and beckon you upward in terms of epiphany, beckon you upward to more and more revelation of Christ, those commands do. Suppose he commands you by the Spirit and by the Word to give some money away to missions, and if you obey, He will manifest himself to you in some new way, he will reveal Himself, His heart for the nations, he will soften your heart a little bit more toward the work of God. If you don't, he won't. It's a conditional promise here. If he commands you to share your faith with a co-worker at the workplace, and if you overcome your fear and your self-focus and all of those things, oh, how sweet it would be to be free from the fear of man. Amen? To just not even care what people think about you, to not even care, but just if you overcome that fear and you just witness faithfully and you share the gospel and show your heart, your love for souls, he will disclose Himself to you. He may not disclose it to the person you're witnessing to, but he'll disclose himself to you, and if you don't, he won't - not in that way. You'll have missed a blessing. If he commands you to seek his face in prayer, to give a little more time in prayer, perhaps even fasting - when was the last time you fasted? Maybe God will call on you to fast and pray just for a simple purpose, I want to see Christ more clearly. I want to focus a little more on Christ, than I have recently. I feel a deadness, a dullness in my heart, and if you obey that command and go seek his face in prayer and put everything aside and seek for Him with all of your heart, you will find Him and He will display or manifest himself to you, He'd be a new epiphany of Christ to you, and if you don't, he won't. And so the reward standing over our daily moment-by-moment obedience is greater and greater revelation of Christ to you, you'll just get to know Jesus better, and if you choose not to, you won't. Jesus said in Matthew 11:29, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from me." The yoke represents submission to His kingly authority. Bow your neck, bow your knees to his kingly authority, do what He commands, and He will teach you. And what do you think the topic of his teaching will be? He says, learn from me. Or literally in the Greek, learn of me. How about just learn me. I'll teach you me, I'll teach you who I am, I'll teach you what my heart is, I'll teach you the way I obeyed my father, I'll teach you myself, if you just submit to me, and so I would urge that you re-dedicate yourself to the Word of God, to the hearing of the word of God, not just in this context. Hear sermons, hear good preaching, but preach to yourselves through the word of God, find out what He's commanding, if you have his commands and if you obey them, secondly, I would suggest that you go after some commands that you need to obey in your quiet time, seriously, every day, just go after the Word of God and say, "God, show me at least one thing I need to obey today, something I need to do, show me something in your word that I need to go and obey." And he will, he will. And in that way, it will be a lifetime of epiphanies of Christ. Christ Manifested to the World by His Return “Epiphany” Used to Refer to His Second Coming in Glory – The Ultimate Epiphany of Christ Two more, dear friends, Christ is going to be revealed, the epiphany will come to the whole world, when he comes back in power and glory. He will be manifested by His appearing, the Greek word is epiphany, he is coming back some day, dear friends. Titus 2:13, "waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing, epiphany, of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ". And you will not need any faith for that moment. For it says in Revelation 1:7, "Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced him. And all tribes of the Earth will wail on account of him." So shall it be, Amen. Revelation 1:7, he's coming back dear friends. And the Apostle Paul said at the end of his life, "I have fought the good fight, I've finished the race, I've kept the faith, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will award to me on that day." Listen to this, "And not only to me, but all who have longed for his epiphany, longed for that day when Jesus comes back and shows Himself to the world." Do you long for that? Are you saying, "Maranatha, come Lord Jesus! I want to see you come back, I want to see you in the clouds, I want to see you up in glory. I long for that day." Well, then He'll reward you a crown of righteousness, says Paul. Christ Manifested in Eternity One Final Word: Christ will Never Run Out of Ways to Disclose Himself to Us And after that is that it? Are we done with epiphanies? No, it's just beginning. When we've been there 10,000 years, bright shining as a sun, we've got another infinitude of epiphanies yet to go. Have you ever wondered what you're going to do for eternity? Oh, eternity, eternity. What shall I do for eternity? I just want to do my favorite things for eternity. Oh really? Is there any favorite thing that would really have such an infinite hold over your heart that you would want to spend eternity doing it? I can't imagine anything except this one thing, to learn Jesus, I want to know Christ, that's the only topic that can hold my attention for eternity. Is there enough of Christ for eternity? What do you think? Someone say, yes. Alright, thank you Hubert. There is enough in Jesus for all eternity. And we're going to have eternity to study him. Isaiah 9:6, "Of the increase of His kingdom, there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne forever and ever and his kingdom will never end. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this." So here's this burning zeal like the sun, it never burns out, and so it just pulses that we would know Jesus. The father wants us to know Jesus. And you say, "Why would the father want us to know Jesus?" Because it's in knowing Jesus that we know him. He is the perfect revelation, so it will be in Heaven, and so there you will be in the new heaven and new earth, learning Jesus every day. This morning, I was in my bedroom and Jenny and I were marveling at a little rainbow up on the wall, and Jenny, I found where it came from. It's from the mirror on the side. Okay. She was trying to block it, couldn't find where it was, and then duties carried her away, it's coming from the beveled cut of the mirror, and I was looking at the beauty of it, it was really beautiful. You're wondering why I had time to do it, and she didn't well, that's another topic, but I was standing there, putting my hand there and there it was. There it was. This beautiful rainbow on the side, I think the new heaven and new earth is going to be like that. It's going to be just this magnificent display of glory and we're like, "Where did it come from?" It came from Jesus. Look at that, the greatness of Jesus, an epiphany for all eternity. Close with me in prayer.
SPECIAL FEATURE - "Christmas with Hosea Humphrey" Volume 3 1. White Christmas 2. C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S 3. Away in a Manager 4. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear 5. Three Kings of Orient Are 6. The Christmas Guest (Recitation)
I. A Modern Misunderstanding We're going to continue our series on Matthew with a contemplation this morning of the visit of the Magi in Matthew chapter 2. How many of you have little nativity scenes at home? Do you have a little replica... I've got one too. Do you put the three kings right there nearby? I do that also - I admit it. There's always three of them. Have you ever noticed that? There's always three and they always have crowns on them. I think it's really fascinating. But I think it's good for us, however, romantic that picture is, to get back to the Bible and try to find out what God says about these Magi because they are fascinating people, and there's an awful lot of truth in these 12 verses. We're looking at Matthew 2:1-12. We're going to be considering who these Magi were, but I think we're going to also see something about their visit that is prophetic and that actually points ahead to the future even beyond our days. Now, not only in their gifts, but in the very fact of their visit, something is there that many of you perhaps have not contemplated. We are going to be learning some more about the Magi that I think will fill out your understanding. So let's listen to Matthew 2:1-12, "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.' When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 'In Bethlehem in Judea,' they replied, 'for this is what the prophet has written: But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be shepherd of my people, Israel.' Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 'Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me so that I too may go and worship him.' After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, and of incense, and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. II. The Magi from the East So who were these Magi? The Magi from the east. Well, they weren't kings despite the famous Christmas carol, "We Three Kings of Orient Are." It's beautiful poetry and not a bad song, but not true to the Bible. They weren't kings. Actually, the word "magi" comes from the tribe of their origin, the Magoi. They lived in the area of the Medes and the Persians, who eventually conquered the Babylonian empire. They lived in what we call modern Iran, so they were Iranians. Now, from the word "magi", we get the word magic because these people claimed to know the future. They would study the stars. They were into astronomy. Astronomy is the science of the study of the position of the stars and planets. And they actually had more accurate charts and graphs and maps of the heavens than there were available anywhere else in the world at the time. They were careful students of the stars. But they didn't leave it at that, they moved on into astrology, which is different than astronomy. Astronomy is a science, astrology is not a science. Astrology is the idea that you can discern something about the future from the position of the alignment of the stars and planets. It's totally faulty, and a lot of idolatrous religious systems have gotten into this kind of thing. But the Magi definitely did it. They thought that they could predict the future based on the positions of the stars. And so, also, they were able, so they believe, to interpret dreams and through the knowledge of the dreams and knowledge of the stars, they could predict the future. And from that, we get a second English word from the word "magi", we get the word magistrate. Now, you may have thought that magic comes from "magi", but magistrate is a new one for me. But it makes sense because these people, all kings and emperors and dictators want to know the future, don't they? They want to know what's going to happen so that they can make provisions for the future. We know about Joseph, and he was able through interpretation of dreams to tell what was going to happen with Egypt, remember? He was a very valuable magistrate, a counselor to the king. We actually meet the Magi in the Bible, maybe you didn't realize this, but they appear in the Old Testament in the Book of Daniel. In Daniel, chapter 2, King Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, had a dream, and his dream troubled him and he wanted to know the proper interpretation of the dream. Daniel 2:1-2 reads this way, "In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams and his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. So the king summoned the magicians, [that's the word for Magi] the enchanters, the sorcerers, the astrologers, to tell him what he had dreamed.” So he set before them an extraordinary test. No one had ever asked this of a Magi, a magistrate before. He wanted to be certain that they weren't fooling him or that they weren't tricking him with the interpretation. He wanted to know the certain interpretation of that dream because he felt it told something about the future, and it did. It was a special kind of dream that God had sent. So he said, “I’m going to give you a test, Magi. You've got to tell me what my dream was, and then you have the privilege of interpreting. Because if you can tell me what my dream was then I know you have power to interpret it. The Magi said, “No king or emperor, however mighty, has ever asked this of anyone. How in the world can we tell you what your dream is? You tell us the dream and we'll give you a sure and certain interpretation.” He said, “You are just trying to gain time. I am going to kill you all.” So he started to issue an order that all the wise men in Babylon be killed. Daniel was included among their number though he had very different methods. Daniel was an exile from Judah. He was a believer in God, a godly man who had a wonderful prayer life. He was called in and he offered to the king the information that if he gave him one day, he would fast and pray and he would seek the answer of the dream. So all the Magi had a stay of execution for one day. Daniel did fast and pray and God did reveal to him not only what the dream was but the sure and certain interpretation of the dream. I don't know if you remember what the dream was but it was a dream of a statue, a tall awesome statue with a gold head, and silver chest and arms, and bronze torso, iron legs and then feet partly mixed of clay, partly mixed of iron. Daniel gave the interpretation of the dream. He said, "This is the flow of history, King Nebuchadnezzar, from you forward. Each of the portions of the statue represents a portion of human history.” At the end, he gave this final interpretation. “The statue was destroyed by a stone cut not by human hands which hit at the foot of the statue, destroyed it into a million bits, and then the stone cut not by human hands grew to be larger and larger until it conquered the whole world. Everyone wanted to know what the interpretation was. And Daniel said in Daniel 2:44 "In the time of those kings," the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed nor will it be left to another people. That kingdom will crush all the other kingdoms and bring them to an end but it will itself endure forever." This was a prophecy of the coming of Jesus Christ and His establishment of His Kingdom which will live and reign forever and ever. An incredible prophecy. The Bible doesn't say but I imagine that afterwards the Magi probably all gathered around him and said, "Thank you for saving our life. "We know later they were somewhat jealous of Daniel but at that point perhaps they were willing to listen. And I think it was at that time that Danial explained to them what it meant that there was going to be a King of the Jews descended from David and that he was going to sit on David's throne and reign over his kingdom. Isaiah told us this prophecy in Isaiah chapter 9. Daniel, I'm sure, knew about that prophecy and he explained it to these ancestors of the Magi. Now, the years past, generations came, generations went but the Magi continued to study the stars. They continued to look to the heavens, predict the future, sometimes accurately, sometimes not. III. The Miraculous Star and the Momentous Visit to Jerusalem Have you ever looked at horoscopes? You will meet someone new today, this kind of thing, predictions that sometimes they come true and sometimes they don't. But this prediction was of a kingdom specifically that would come after all of these others, after the Roman Empire and it would be set up. It was a sure and certain prediction and very accurate. Well, the generations came and went and the Magi continued, I think, to wonder who was this King of the Jews who was coming and who's coming had been foretold. Then suddenly one day, they looked up to the heavens as they did every night and they saw something new, something they had never seen before. It was a miraculous star. Now, it says in verse 2 of the text, "We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." Actually, a better translation would be, ‘We have seen His star in its rising, as it rose up.’ And I think what happened was they were looking at the stars and the planets and something new was rising up in the heavens. Now, this star was a very unusual star. As you continue to read in this account, all stars are marvelous and we're learning more and more about stars as we continue to advance in technology. There's so many of them, more than could ever be numbered but they're demonstrations of God's creative power and His Majesty but this star was different. It was unique. It had the ability to move and to stop. In verse 9, it says, "After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was." A very unusual star. Some scholars think it was a comet but does a comet behave this way? Furthermore, stars don't move, do they? They really just stay fixed, it's planets that move. Actually, the Greek word for "wander" is "planea." We get the word planet from wandering. So it's the planets that move around, stars pretty much stay fixed but this star however was able to lead and to guide them even to identify a specific house in Bethlehem. Now, that's a special star. So what was this star? I don't really know. I think, this is just a guess, but I think that, you remember when the shepherds were out in their fields at night, the angels came and what accompanied the angel? When the first angel came, he was accompanied by a brilliant light. You remember the light of the glory of the Lord shone all around the angel. A bright glowing, a shining. It was called, what you could call the Shekinah glory of God. And I think perhaps what this special star was, was a gathering up of the glory of God into a ball up in the heavens, and God had full control over it and its motion. Do you remember when God led Israel out of Egypt? How did He lead them at night? It was a pillar of fire, you remember? A tall pillar of fire. Well, if you can imagine the pillar of fire just compressed a bit into a ball and set up in the heavens, and it led the Magi. Well, I don't really know about the star but I know this, it had the capability of inspiring these star watchers, these star worshippers to put together a caravan of camels perhaps, to pack up some things for a journey and to set out from their native land. It was a special star, a miraculous star. The star led them into what I call a momentous visit to Jerusalem. Now, why do I call it a momentous visit? I didn't really think much about the visit to Jerusalem until I considered what it was that was leading the Magi. Now the star, I've already told you in verse 9, had the capability of leading them specifically to a home. Then why did they go to Jerusalem instead of Bethlehem? Jesus was in Bethlehem, wasn't he? Why were they led to Jerusalem? What was it that they had to do in Jerusalem? Furthermore, we know in verse 12, that God was speaking and communicating to the Magi by means of dreams. Look down in verse 12, it says, "And having been warned in a dream, not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route." So God actually communicated to them by means of a dream. It's fascinating. So God could easily have warned them not to go to Jerusalem. Now why should He have warned them? Or why would He have warned them not to go to King Herod? Well, what was the outcome of the visit to Herod? Think about it. If the Magi had just quietly slipped into the country, found where Jesus was, worship Him and then went back to their country, Herod would never have heard about it. There would have been quiet, silent. IV. The Monstrous King Herod But God did not want his Son entering the world silently in this way. He wanted people to know. So, God came to Herod, and he knew exactly what Herod would do. He knew exactly how Herod would react. The outcome was, that King Herod heard about this and was troubled, he was distressed, he stirred things up. And so we look at the monstrous King Herod, in verse 3, "When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed and all Jerusalem with him." The word means raised into turbulence, storming around inside. And all Jerusalem with him means he agitated all of the neighborhoods. Perhaps he was looking for Jesus. He didn't really know where he was. Stirred up, turbulent. Well, what was the outcome of this visit, this momentous visit to Jerusalem? We know that when the Magi didn't go back, there was the slaughter of all those babies around Bethlehem. A terrible thing that Herod did, but fulfilled prophecy, accurate prophecy. We know also that Jesus, Joseph and Mary were chased to Egypt as a result of this visit to Jerusalem, another fulfillment of prophecy. And we know that ultimately they ended up in Nazareth at the end of chapter 2, another fulfillment of prophecy. So the Magi actually were led first to Jerusalem to get King Herod all stirred up so that these prophecies might be fulfilled. It was a momentous visit to the monstrous King Herod. Now, why do I call him monstrous? Herod was actually called Herod the Great by his people. What is it that makes someone great in our world? In two weeks we're going to be talking about John the Baptist, who Jesus said was the greatest man who ever lived. But what do people think makes someone great? Well, King Herod had all the trappings of greatness, he had royal robes, he had a crown, an awesome throne. He had built up Jerusalem to such a point that it really was a model, a miniature model of Rome, which he had visited earlier. Now, Herod the Great was actually not Jewish, but was an Edomite. Now the Edomites were descended from Esau. Remember Jacob and Esau were twins? Born of Isaac. And God chose one of them, Jacob, to be the line through which Jesus would come. They were his chosen people, Jacob was the father of Israel. But Esau, now Esau was a different kind of man, wasn't he? Do you remember anything about Esau? He sold his birthright for a dinner. He was hungry one day, remember? He totally focused on the moment, his god was his stomach. And whatever he could get out of the moment that's what he was interested in. King Herod is no different. He had perhaps more to lose than Esau did, but he was an Edomite through and through. Focused only on the temporary situation. "What am I living for now?" "I have a house, I have a family, I have a job. I have a life that I like very much. I don't want anything to come in here and stir up my life." Are you like King Herod at all? You want to keep things safe, want to keep things secure, hold on to what you have? Well, that was the way King Herod was. He had a lot to hold onto. He had rebuilt the temple, the temple had taken 40 years to build. We know this from John chapter 2. It was King Herod that did all that building. He was an awesome builder. He was great at collecting money. As for the building, in Mark chapter 13, the disciples looked up and said to Jesus, "Look teacher, what massive stones, what magnificent buildings." Do you remember what Jesus said? “Not one stone here will be left on another, everyone will be thrown down." That is Jesus' acknowledgement of Herod's greatness, it's temporary. “All men are like grass and all their glory is like the flower of the field, the grass withers, the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8). King Herod's greatness was temporary, as temporary as the morning mist. How many Americans today know anything about Herod the Great? But you see Jesus' kingdom keeps getting larger and larger, stronger and stronger. Monstrous King Herod. Herod was a good friend of Caesar Augustus. That's how he had managed to finagle being king over that region in the world. He wasn't from there originally. He made a trip to Rome. He actually was a refugee from his own land, and guess where Herod went? He went to Egypt. The very same place that he chased Joseph and Mary. From Egypt Herod went to Rome, and at Rome he got to know Caesar Augustus, and he got to know the Roman senate, and in 37 BC the Roman senate designated him with a title. Do you know what it was? King of the Jews. He was given the title, King of the Jews even though he wasn't Jewish. And he went back and he began to reign as King of the Jews. Then suddenly these Magi show up and said, "Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." And so Herod was disturbed because he thought he was going to lose everything. What Herod didn't realize is just what Jesus has said, ‘Whoever tries to hold onto his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake, he will keep it for eternity.’ What should Herod have done the moment the Magi came? He should have done what the King of Nineveh did in the Book of Jonah, take off his royal robes, take off his crown, get off his throne and go down with them to Bethlehem and worship Jesus, but he wouldn't do that. And so he held on and lost everything. V. The Bethlehem Prophecy from Micah Instead the first thing that Herod did in verse 4 is, "He called together the people's chief priests and teachers of the law and asked them where the Messiah was to be born.” This is the Micah prophecy. Micah was a prophet who lived seven centuries before Jesus, 700 years before Jesus was born. Now it is incredible that God, in His knowledge of all history, could pinpoint a tiny little village, 5 miles south of Jerusalem where the Messiah would be born - the accuracy of this prophecy. The chief priests, the teachers of the law, they knew where the Christ was to be born, in Bethlehem and Judea, for this is what the prophet has written. The identification was so accurate. Now, Bethlehem was the place where Rachel... Do you remember Rachel? Rachel was Jacob's wife of his heart, the one that he loved. She was the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. She died in child birth when Benjamin was born. And afterwards, she was buried in Bethlehem. That's the first mention we ever get of Bethlehem. Now, the word Bethlehem means, "house of bread." It was a place where there was a granary, a store of barley grain. We know that David's ancestor, Boaz, lived in Bethlehem and he married Ruth. He had a son named Boaz, and Boaz had a son named Jesse, and Jesse had a son named David. And so David grew up in Bethlehem too. And he took care of flocks, while shepherds were watching their flocks at night, remember? David was a shepherd that way, seated with the flocks at night around Bethlehem. And so Bethlehem came to be called, "The Town of David," "The City of David." After the exile of Babylon, Bethlehem became a no-place, a nowhere- nobody cared about Bethlehem. It was a tiny little town of insignificant stature; except in one regard, Micah 5:2 said it would be the place where the Son of David, the descendant of David, the eternal King of kings and Lord of lords would make his entrance into the world. How was it that this birth came about in Bethlehem? We know from Luke chapter 2 that Caesar Augustus was motivated to issue a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. What was it that motivated Caesar? Could it be that he got out the prophecy of Micah, and he said, "Now I know that Jesus needs to be born in Bethlehem. So I think I'll issue a census so that everyone, even Joseph and Mary will go there and give birth to the baby." Are any of you paying attention? Is that what Caesar did? No, he didn't. Now Caesar had other motives. What were Caesar's motives? Two things: Money and a piece of the empire. He wanted his tax money, and so he wanted to know how many people there were, and he also wanted to know what the local populations were in each of his holdings so he would know how many troops to put there. That was what motivated him. But it doesn't matter what motivated him, God had a different reason. And so he moves in Caesar Augustus' heart, the most powerful man on the face of the Earth. I love Proverbs 21:1 which says: "The king's heart is like a water course in the hands of the Lord. He directs it, or channels it, whatever way he chooses." Isn't that powerful? The king's heart is like a water course in the hands of the Lord. He directs it whatever way he chooses. That goes for kings, it goes for dictators, it goes for emperors, even goes for presidents. The king's heart is like a water course in the hands of the Lord, directs it whatever way he pleases. VI. The Mock Worshiper And so that decree got issued. And Joseph and Mary got ready and went down to Bethlehem because he was of the house and line of David. It was the sovereignty of God to make sure that prophecy, that Micah prophecy, got fulfilled. In verses 7 and 8, we're introduced to the mock worshiper. What is a mock worshiper? Somebody who worships not in truth, somebody who worships not in spirit, somebody who makes pretense at worship. And that's what King Herod did when he called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me so that I too may go and worship him.’ Do you think Herod wanted to worship that child? Absolutely not. Herod went crazy when the Magi didn't return back. He went insane with rage. What's fascinating to me though is that he didn't do it the first time when the Magi came and said there's one been born, King of the Jews. It would have been just like Herod to react at that moment and seek to find him and kill him. God protected Jesus just for that short amount of time so that the Magi could finish their visit, and Joseph and Mary could be warned to get out of town before Herod came. So the king's heart is like a water course in the hands of the Lord. A kind of a muddleness came over Herod and he just said, ‘Well, why don't you go to Bethlehem and try to find him and when you do, come back and tell me, and I'll go and worship him.’ But he had no intention of worshiping. Herod was a consummate politician. He was tricky and devious, and at this point he's trying to play with the Magi and use them for his own purposes. The Magi are going to be his spies, and they're going to come back and tell him where Jesus is - the mock worshiper. Worship means, to ascribe value to something, to look at something and say, this is valuable, but it goes beyond that, there is an attraction, a strength to worship, a love, an affection to worship. Herod ascribed value to Jesus coming but he hated it, he was angry at it, he rejected it, he was threatened by it, you see? So you see that he is not a true worshipper - he is mock worshipper. VII. The Mission Consummated Verses 9 through 12, we see the mission consummated. The Magi got what they looked for. They'd been traveling so long, so many miles. I don't know how long it took, weeks, months. We have no idea. But they traveled over all that distance and it says “after they heard the king, they went on their way and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.” That miraculous star guiding them right to that home. And what does it say next? When they saw the star they were overjoyed. Do you see the difference between the Magi and Herod? Herod's anger and their joy? They were so thrilled to be able to come to the end of their journey and then they go into the house where Jesus, Mary and Joseph were. I thought that the Magi came when Jesus was around two years old. I now, having looked more carefully at the text, have no idea how old Jesus was. All I know is that Herod found out what time the star appeared, but it may have appeared months before Jesus was born so that they would get on the road and be there in time. So I really have no idea how old Jesus was when they came. All I know is he wasn't in the manger, but in a house at that time. The Magi come into that house and they find the object of their worship. They find Jesus Christ. Now I don't really know what they knew about Jesus at that moment. Did they really understand that he was God incarnate? That all of their idolatrous worship systems had to be put aside and that this was the King of kings who had come to earth to die on a cross for them? I don't think they could have known all that. But perhaps Mary and Joseph, and maybe there were some shepherds still coming to visit Jesus, told them more about some of the prophecies and the predictions about this child. I dare say they left going back to their home country knowing more about the King of the Jews than they knew before they came. But they worshiped him. They knelt down and they worshiped. And that was the end of their journey, and it was a long journey. It was a difficult journey but it was consummated with joy and with worship and with bending of their knees. And then it says that they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh, and here we get to the area of meaning. What is the meaning of the visit of the Magi? I think they are themselves prophetic visitors and the gifts that they bring themselves are prophecies. How are they, the Magi, prophetic visitors? I think it's because they're Gentiles, they're non-Jews. And they came from, in effect, the ends of the earth to come and worship Jesus. VIII. The Meaning Explained And that fulfills very clearly the prophecy that God gave to Abraham in Genesis 12:3, when he said, "Through your seed all nations on earth will be blessed." And Isaiah said the same thing in Isaiah 49:6, speaking of the Messiah, God says this, "It is too small a thing for you," you could put the word Jesus in there. "It is too small a thing for you [Jesus] to be my servant. To bring back or restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel that I have kept. Now I will also make you a light for the Gentiles that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." Isn't that powerful? In Isaiah 49:6 is the clear prophecy that the Messiah would come as a light for the Gentiles to the ends of the earth. And so the very visit of these Gentile Magi coming to worship Jesus is a prophecy that one day this gospel message will spread to the ends of the earth. Jesus himself said, "This gospel of the kingdom will be preached to the end of the earth and then the end will come... To all nations as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matt 24:14) In the last 15 years we've seen an incredible acceleration of the fulfillment of that prophecy. As people from every tribe, and language, and people, and nation are hearing the gospel and believing and worshiping Jesus Christ. Do you know that when the sun rose in Japan this morning, they were the first, I would say, major nation to see the sun, they are the land of the rising sun, and there are Christians there. And they worship Jesus today. And the sun continued on and moved over China, and there are Christians in China. And there are Christians in Siberia. And there are Christians in India. And the sun continued to move. And what is it that unites all these people? It's the same thing the Magi did. Kneeling before Jesus and worshiping him. Giving glory and praise to his name. The Magi are prophetic visitors that someday this little baby would grow to be the Savior of the world, not just of Jews. But also their gifts are prophetic. The fact that they even brought gifts is prophetic. It says in Isaiah 2:2, "In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as chief among the mountains. It will be raised above the hills and all nations will stream to it." The streaming of the nations to Jesus. Well, it happens because the disciples go out to the ends of the earth and preached the gospel. This is the streaming of the nations. And they're going to bring their riches. In Isaiah 60 it says this, talking of Jerusalem, "Arise and shine, for your light has come and your glory is shown to the nations." In Isaiah 60:5-6 says, “Then you will look and be radiant [speaking of Jerusalem] your heart will throb and swell with joy. The wealth on the seas will be brought to you. To you the riches of nations will come. Herds of camels will cover your land. Young camels from Midian and Ephah and all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord." It’s all been prophesied and predicted that Gentiles would come from the ends of the Earth and bring gold and incense and worship Jesus. But I think these gifts are actually symbolic of something deeper. Why did God send his Son to earth? What did he want? Put simply, he wants you. He wants your heart. He wants who you are. He wants your worship. He wants you to love him. He wants you to kneel before him and give him homage and honor and praise. That's what he wants. And what is he willing to pay for it? He's willing to pay the death of his own Son. The blood of his own Son, that's what it's worth to him. Prophetic gifts. Gold. Do you know that more wars have been fought over gold than any other precious substance on earth? Some call it the "material of kings." How about frankincense? What do you know about frankincense? Frankincense actually comes from a rare Arabian tree. An article in National Geographic in speaking about frankincense notes that you take a knife and you cut this tree, deeply, a deep cut, and you go away and you wait. Come back in three months and at the bottom of the cut there's this resin that's dried into a hard globule. You break it off and then you wait another few months and more comes out. That's where frankincense comes from. Do you know how valuable it is? The time it takes to gather this. Well, frankincense was also used for medicine. And the Magi probably used it for medicine, so they gave it to Jesus. Maybe a hint at Jesus' healing ministry in the fact that he would heal people. But do you know also that it was one of the four ingredients of special worship? In Exodus chapter 30 frankincense is included with three other ingredients to make a special incense that was burned in worship and praise to God every time sacrifices were offered in the Jewish system. It really is a symbol of praise, isn't it? It's a symbol of worship. Incense going up to God and praising his name. But what about myrrh? Of these three gifts, myrrh is the only one that makes reappearance in the gospel. In John chapter 19, ‘A man named Joseph of Arimathea brought some myrrh to Jesus and mixed it up with some strips of linen and wrapped it around Jesus' dead body.’ Seventy-five pounds worth, burial of a king. Jesus was only going to borrow it though. It's kind of sticky and would have stuck all those linens together into a shape. A few days later, the disciples visited and the myrrh was there, but the body wasn't. It's a prediction of the death of Jesus Christ. Also, of his resurrection, for he didn't come just to die, but to give his life as a ransom for us and be raised from the dead on the third day. Prophetic visitors, prophetic gifts. But the modern application for us is simple. You have, in this story, in these 12 verses, two paradigms of how to respond to Jesus' coming. You have King Herod and you have the Magi. King Herod, selfish, threatened by the coming, would never consider taking off those royal robes and worshipping Jesus. Instead, he's going to do everything he can to attack him and, if he can, to kill him. Hatred of Jesus. And, then you have the Magi. Sacrificial love for Jesus. Come from the ends of the earth to worship him. Give everything they have in honor of him. Which is it going to be for you? Which of those two more nearly characterizes the way you deal with the coming of Jesus Christ? Are you more like King Herod? Or are you more like Jesus? Or perhaps you're like the scribes and the Pharisees? You know the prophecies, you know all about it, but you don't do anything at all. There's no reaction, they don't get angry, they don't come and visit. They just do nothing IX. Application I think God calls us in his Son to look at our own treasures, to look inward and say, "What do I have to bring to the King? What do I have to offer to him?" Maybe you don't have gold and incense and myrrh, but maybe you have your life, your time, your money, your gifts, your energy, your zeal. God owns it and wants it, come and give it to him. Or perhaps you need to ask a deeper question. Maybe I don't need to give something to Jesus right now, maybe I need to receive something from him. Maybe I need to come and acknowledge that I have never come into a relationship with him, and that I need him to be my savior. Today, for you, could be the day of salvation. Picture in your mind the Magi kneeling before Jesus, and see if you've ever done that. Have you ever acknowledged Jesus' deity and his perfection and that he died on the cross for you? Come and worship, but even if you're a Christian, no one escapes. All of you should come and bring all of your valuable things to him. Scour your life with your mind and bring everything to Jesus in worship.
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