Hello There, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men"
Luke 2:14

O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, HOW STILL WE SEE THEE LIE!
ABOVE THY DEEP AND DREAMLESS SLEEP THE SILENT STARS GO BY.
YET IN THY DARK STREETS SHINETH THE EVERLASTING LIGHT;
THE HOPES AND FEARS OF ALL THE YEARS ARE MET IN THEE TONIGHT.

FOR CHRIST IS BORN OF MARY, AND GATHERED ALL ABOVE,
WHILE MORTALS SLEEP, THE ANGELS KEEP THEIR WATCH OF 
WONDERING LOVE.
O MORNING STARS TOGETHER, PROCLAIM THE HOLY BIRTH,
AND PRAISES SING TO GOD THE KING, AND PEACE TO MEN ON EARTH.

HOW SILENTLY, HOW SILENTLY, THE WONDROUS GIFT IS GIV'N;
SO GOD IMPARTS TO HUMAN HEARTS THE BLESSINGS OF HIS HEAV'N.
NO EAR MAY HEAR HIS COMING, BUT IN THIS WORLD OF SIN,
WHERE MEEK SOULS WILL RECEIVE HIM STILL, THE DEAR CHRIST ENTERS 
IN.

WHERE CHILDREN PURE AND HAPPY PRAY TO THE BLESSED CHILD,
WHERE MISERY CRIES OUT TO THEE, SON OF THE MOTHER MILD;
WHERE CHARITY STANDS WATCHING AND FAITH HOLDS WIDE THE DOOR,
THE DARK NIGHT WAKES, THE GLORY BREAKS, AND CHRISTMAS COMES
ONCE MORE.

O HOLY CHILD OF BETHLEHEM, DESCEND TO US WE PRAY;
CAST OUT OUR SIN, AND ENTER IN, BE BORN IN US TODAY.
WE HEAR THE CHRISTMAS ANGELS THE GREAT GLAD TIDINGS TELL;
O COME TO US, ABIDE WITH US, OUR LORD EMMANUEL!

The format of most hymns and songs of faith today is to write three or four 
verses and a repeated refrain or chorus. Prior to the twentieth century, 
many verses were shared. I sought until I found verse four that reveals the 
heart of reaching outward. Phillips Brooks preached and lived a gospel of 
displayed love.

Dr. Roger Olson walks with us each week from George W. Truett Seminary at 
Baylor University. He often uses an old hymn to introduce a subject to young 
theology students. A recent selection from Charles Wesley contained 28 
verses. His explanation that singing so many phases of a truth rather than 
repeating rather innocuous lines 28 times, amused and then satisfied the 
class.

HELP!I am looking for words to the song, "Nothing But Leaves". I suspect 
that it may have to do with Mark 11:13 and the disappointment registered 
there.

I GOT LETTERS-About the use of the term, "Christianese" last week. Some of 
your examples and stories were very supportive of my stance. I also am 
working on a plan to get the text of one of my unpublished books to Hungary 
to use in a study course. I also got a picture of the new Jaguar. Have you 
eaten "sour grapes" today? My 1995 Nissan can go uphill, downhill, forward 
and backward just like that car.

IT MADE ME TO THINK-When I heard a local pastor say,"God is just as 
interested with what happens in Austin today, as He was about what happened 
in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago." Thinking?

HAVING DIFFICULTY-The weather is not like Christmas here. Above seventy and 
bright sun. I am wearing short sleeved pullover shirts. Even picture cards 
from you showing snow scenes have little effect.

THE KING OF ALLITERATION-A reader has given me a new title. It is simply a 
tool to tell and teach the truth. Here are a couple of seasonal efforts---The 
Birth of Christ was SUITABLE....Of a virgin, angels sing, nature worships, 
the poor hear first, the wise are made glad...........The Life of Christ was 
SINLESS His bout with Satan was over fame and glory..Tempted like us, yet 
Hebrews 4:15 (yet, without sin.) The death of Christ was 
SACRIFICIAL......Allow me to use the powerful prophecy of Isaiah 53. Verse 6 
declares us to be straying sheep, "And the Lord hath laid on him [Jesus] the 
iniquity of us all". Or, you can use VIRTUOUS, VICTORIOUS and VICARIOUS as 
headings.

ON THE DOCKET-It seems that every year it is the same-suddenly it is the day. 
The plans here are to go as a family to Christmas Eve communion service. Go 
to Randall and Jeanine's house for breakfast. (Guests from South Dakota 
cooking.) Open gifts. Eat, again. Grunt and talk about diets the rest of 
the day. 

POSSIBLE-The many aspects of this season make us to think of those things 
that are possible with God. I would like to close today by remembering with 
you of one area not possible. Turn to Acts 2:24 and read from St. Peter's 
words about Jesus. "Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of 
death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it." 
HALLELUJAH!---JESUS IS ALIVE

His,
Ron Krantz

"Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under 
heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12