Halloween is big business in our country. We spend six billion dollars annually on it, buying decorations and treats. One-fourth of all the candy sold annually in the U.S.A. is sold during the Halloween season.
The history of the day seems to go back to the ancient Celtics. They observed November 1 as their New Year, and believed that some of the dead stalked the living as the dark season of winter began. When the Romans conquered them, they brought some of their own special days with them and they gradually blended. In the 700s, the pope declared November 1 as a special day to honor martyrs, and later all saints. In America the customs were Americanized so that we now observe Halloween as a fun time of make-believe ghosts and goblins, wearing costumes and sharing treats.
In recent years, “Trick or Treat” has been supplemented or replaced by Halloween parties intended to provide safety as well as fun for the kids.
The movie, “The Exorcist,” popularized belief in demon possession and opened the door for wider belief in Satanism, Witchcraft, etc. Many people take these things quite seriously, and some of them campaign vigorously against any such observances as Halloween.
As long as there is money to be made in a holiday, you can bet your life that we Americans will celebrate it. For that reason, Halloween is probably here to stay. Hate it if you must, enjoy it if you will, you will find somebody, somewhere, who agrees with your beliefs about it. You will also find others who disagree strongly with whatever you may think about it.
(Wednesday) The hymn for this blog is “Echoes from the Burning Bush.” I confess that I do not completely understand the connection between the burning bush in Exodus 3 and this song.
This song is based on Exodus 3:2-4, “There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight-why the bush does not burn up.” When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.”
According to one writer, the song’s theme is about salvation using Moses’ encounter of God in the form of a burning bush as an illustration. The fear most people felt in hearing God during the Old Testament was replaced with joy after Jesus came and brought redemption.
I confess that I like hearing the song because of the old-time way of providing a sort of syncopated chorus.
It is done by the original Chuck Wagon Gang, and I have always enjoyed them. Sometimes referred to as the “Other Carter Family.” Original members were D.P Carter (Dad), Rose (Lola) C. Karnes, Anna (Effie) C. Gordon Davis, and Jim (Ernest) Carter. The group was founded in the early 1930’s and has been active since. Over the years, other members joined in.
The story about how they became famous is worth noting. Back then, Dad Carter formed the group as a means of spreading God’s Word and so he could buy medicine for Effie who caught pneumonia. They were a four-part singing group with Mr. Carter as the tenor, Rose for soprano, Effie for alto, and son Ernest as bass. Soon, they became a crowd favorite and were signed up with Columbia Records, and sold albums. From a humble beginning with modest intentions, the quartet did not expect the tremendous blessings that came. Their harmonious gospel singing complemented their harmonious familial relationship.
Echoes From the Burning Bush Words Byron Foust Music V. O. Summar 1943
Moses stood on holy ground Fire from God descended down Set the roadside bush on fire (bush on fire) Then the Lord did there explain Through His servant should remain All the echoes from the bush on fire (the bush on fire)
Oh the echoes from the bush (I hear those lovely echoes from the burning bush) How they thrill my soul (how they thrill my soul) Oh the echoes from the bush (I hear those thrilling echoes from the burning bush) Point me to the goal (point me to the goal) I no more am doubting, but with joy I’m shouting With no thought of shame to blush (no shame to blush) This my song shall ever be, words that are so sweet to me Echoes from the burning bush (the burning bush)
God sent down His only Son Just to ransom everyone By the echoes from the fire (from the fire) God of every earthly land Would not pick nor choose a man For His blood will save us from the fire (eternal fire)
Oh the echoes from the bush (I hear those lovely echoes from the burning bush) How they thrill my soul (how they thrill my soul) Oh the echoes from the bush (I hear those thrilling echoes from the burning bush) Point me to the goal (point me to the goal) I no more am doubting, but with joy I’m shouting With no thought of shame to blush (no shame to blush) This my song shall ever be, words that are so sweet to me Echoes from the burning bush (the burning bush)
Celebrations can brighten up dreary winters. We always have four of them: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year.
In a couple of days, we’ll have Halloween with spooky, scary stuff and costumes of all kinds.
A few weeks later, we will have Thanksgiving, a time to thank God for his blessings throughout the year and throughout our lives.
About a month later, we celebrate Christmas, remembering God’s great love for us in sending his only son to become our savior.
A week after Christmas, we will celebrate the new year, some with parties and others with prayers.
No doubt I will have something to say about each of these. Meanwhile, they will not go unnoticed because people seem to look forward to occasions like these.
At the close of each Tuesday blog I will write about the presidents, in the order of their service.
When you attend a high school or college football game, cheerleaders are always there, leading the crowd to encourage the players with their cheers. This song accomplishes that purpose for the church.
As the Christian puts on his armor and takes his stand for Christ against evil, the words of this hymn cheer him on.
As Jesus speaks to his disciples, encouraging them to know they are on the winning side, he says, “Upon this Rock I build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it!”
Victory is promised! “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalm 126:5-6).
Rise up, O Church of God! Have done with lesser things; Give heart and mind and soul and strength To serve the King of kings.
Rise up, O Church of God!
Author: William Pierson Merrill
Tune: FESTAL SONG
1911
Rise up, O Church of God!
Have done with lesser things;
Give heart and mind and soul and strength
To serve the King of kings.
Rise up, O Church of God!
His kingdom tarries long;
Bring in the day of brotherhood,
And end the night of wrong.
Rise up, O sons of God!
The Church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequal to her task;
Rise up and make her great.
Lift high the cross of Christ;
Tread where His feet have trod;
As foll’wers of the Son of man,
Rise up, O Church of God!
The grand old hymn, “Blessed Redeemer,” declares a clear message that Jesus, our Redeemer, went to the cross for each of us. As the song says, He went to the cross to save us, proving that no one but Jesus ever loved so.
The tune of the song was written by Harry D. Loes and the words were composed by Avis M. Christiansen, at his request, in 1920.
BLESSED REDEEMER
Chorus:
Blessèd Redeemer! Precious Redeemer!
Seems now I see Him on Calvary’s tree;
Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading,
Blind and unheeding–dying for me!
Verses:
Up Calvary’s mountain, one dreadful morn,
Walked Christ my Savior, weary and worn;
Facing for sinners death on the cross,
That He might save them from endless loss.
“Father forgive them!” thus did He pray,
E’en while His lifeblood flowed fast away;
Praying for sinners while in such woe
No one but Jesus ever loved so.
O how I love Him, Savior and Friend,
How can my praises ever find end!
Through years unnumbered on Heaven’s shore,
My tongue shall praise Him forevermore.
October 31, 2019 (Thursday)