Tess gave an early evening update on her blog of our Christmas Eve activities. After the kids were in bed, Tess and I were wrapped, packed and stacked by 9:30 PM. We managed to get two episodes of Frasier, Season 6 under our belts before I headed out to the Union Church Candlelight Service at 11 PM. With the exception of the light illuminating the cross, all other lighting came from candles. If you are a sucker for ambiance, this service would have brought you to your knees. Pastor Greg Anderson's Christmas message, "The Angel's Anthem" might have brought you to your knees, too. This was quite possibly one of the top ten sermons I have ever heard. Pastor Greg even quoted Will Farrell from the movie "Talladega Nights." At one point in the movie Ricky Bobby (Farrell) prays to "little baby Jesus" at the start of a family meal. The blessing is long, tedious and funny, with Farrell repeatedly referring to Christ as a small, infant baby until his wife says, "You know, sweetie, Jesus did grow -up." Her point is that Jesus is much more than a baby. After reading from this movie's scene, Pastor Greg planted a seed in people's mind by saying, "I don't want to insult your faith but some of us have a Baby Jesus faith. We think of the little baby in the manger but we forget something…"
Pastor Greg concluded his message with this quote from Pastor Howard Thurman. "There must always remain in every life some place for the singing of the angels. Some place for that which in itself is breathless and beautiful. Old burdens become lighter. Deep and ancient wounds lose much of their old hurting. Despite all the crassness of life, all the harshness and harsh discords, life is saved by the singing of the angels."
May you find the angels singing for you this Christmas and in the coming New Year. With love from Team Caldwell in Hong Kong.
Pastor Greg Anderson's inspiring Christmas message "The Angel's Anthem" can be heard here.
Reader interactions
2 Replies to “The singing of the Angels…”
Sigh. Wish we had been there with you, Charles.
Happy Boxing Day to you.
Love, M xox
Hi Charles and Tess
Great blog! I love good sermons and I am a big fan of Will Ferrel. I know exactly what scene that is in Talladega nights. When ministers refer to modern films It makes sermons much easier to relate to, to put it simply.
One of my Favorite sermons includes a comparison to the film ‘Saving private Ryan’ …Private Ryan tried to live a “good” life after the war. Because his Captain died saving his life. My minister, Jenny Andison, goes on at length about how all we need to do is love God to be free of such burdens.
I want to start a blog like yours. I had such a great time over Christmas I would really like to share my experiences with everyone of my friends and family.
I went to Mont Tremblant with seven friends and had so much fun! I love skiing with friends. The great outdoors and fresh air is so rejuvinating!
Hey I told you last year that I was doing the 12 steps and I believe I made an ammends with you so over Christmas I worked up the courage to make ammends to my Step-Dad Scott K. and my big bro, Dave. “Repairing the wreckage of the past” as they put it in the Big Book. I suppose I am breaking my annonymity but you and your Christian fellowship and family and friends I consider part of my inner circle of trust. (see ‘Meet the Parents’with Robert De Niro)
All the Best,
Danny Aiken