FYI What's Happening in Vancouver

2009-12-15

When is Christmas?

A good friend of mine write this a year or more ago....

"Within the universe created by the Peanuts comic strip, Schroeder is known as the toy-piano virtuoso and Beethoven's biggest fan.  When December 16 rolls around, Schroeder is found celebrating Beethoven's birthday (much to the distress of the love-struck Lucy who prefers his attention for herself).  It turns out, however, that Schroeder may have been celebrating on the wrong day.

"While historians are certain that Ludwig van Beethoven was baptized on December 17, 1770, his birth date remains unclear.  It might have been December 16 or even earlier.  Unless you're planning to join the Peanuts' resident musician in holding a Beethoven birthday bash, it hardly matters.  What really matters is the impact the man's music had in its time and still has today.

"Even people who know nothing about classical music are familiar with the famous four-note opening to Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.  Beethoven himself described that powerful "bom bom bom bommmmm" as the sound of "fate knocking at the door."

"The birth date of a much more important person is unclear as well.  Somewhere around 2,011 years ago, Jesus was born.  Most of the Christian world celebrate His birth on December 25 (some Orthodox Christians prefer January 6), but no one knows for sure.  It's probably just as well that we don't know the exact date, but it is truly wonderful that every year, billions of people in every country on planet earth celebrate the amazing gift of a loving and sovereign God:  His own son born into the human race to redeem us from our sins.

"Beethoven's "bom bom bom bommmmm" pales when compared to the angel's announcement to a group of shepherds near Bethlehem, "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:  A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Christ the Lord."  Every year at this time, fate knocks at the door of my heart and I renew my decision to worship and adore Him.  I can't express how deeply I appreciate God's gift, and I choose again to worship Him forever.  I hope you'll join me."

A Wonderful little Christmas Video

If you haven't seen this one yet, it's worth going to see.  It's an amazing set up of Christmas lights expressing God's Amazing Grace!  http://vimeo.com/440842

FYI - What's Happening in Vancouver

• Most of you know by now that Sabbath we held a Memorial for Bob Case who died unexpectedly the week before.  Pray for Joyce and the family
• Also, in similar news, Frances Blahovich and Don Albertsen have also passed away.  Please pray for these families as well.
• Friday - 6:30pm - The Gathering of Young Adults - singing Christmas Carols.
• Sabbath - Pastor Roger Completes his 2-part sermon series called, "Doing LIFE Together" and will give away an early Christmas present to everyone who comes....
• Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve
• Dec. 25 - Christmas
• Dec. 26 - Christmas Program at Church
• January 2, 2010 - Special Prayer Emphasis Day - More info later.