seths blogposts
|
Written by Seth Hoffman
|
|
(this is a part of a blog series called "what's that song about?" Growing up, I never really knew where Christmas carols came from or what they were about. They often used strange vocabulary I never came across in any other context. This set of blogs is for those of us that never had the carols explained. Each week from now until Christmas, I will unpack a different popular Christmas carol. Feel free to comment with any further questions you have on each song.) We don’t have an exact record of what it was like on the night of Jesus birth but we can be sure of a couple things: it wouldn’t have been snowing, Santa’s sleigh wasn’t riding overhead, and he wasn’t born in a 5-star Hotel. It wouldn’t have been very silent or calm either - this is a no brainer if you know anything about child birth! But, in Josef Mohr’s carol, Silent Night, we do get a picture of a few things that WERE happening at Jesus’ birth.
The night Jesus was born was an incredibly HOLY night. Why was it holy? Because GOD HIMSELF had come and dwelt in his creation. Born of a virgin mother, Jesus Christ, who the bible says created the world (take a look at the book of the bible called Colossians and go to chapter 1) came and put on human flesh, and came in the most vulnerable form possible: as a baby. Surely this is a holy moment as creation encounters its Creator!
Why the Shepherds in verse two? Well, check out the book of Luke, chapter 2, and you’ll see why. At the birth of Jesus, a whole group of angels appeared not to the rich, nor the powerful, nor the influential, but to some shepherds tending their flock out in the field. This was a foretaste of Jesus’ upside kingdom - where the lost find a home, the powerful are put to shame and the humble are raised up. Luke 2.13 says that there was a whole multitude of angels singing the praises of Jesus at his birth. What a chorus that would have been to hear!
So this beautiful carol captures the heart of the Christmas message - Jesus has come. Born of a virgin, heralded by shepherds and angels, the incarnation of the glory of God - Jesus moved into the neighborhood.
Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight,
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing alleluia;
Christ the Saviour, is born!
Christ the Saviour, is born!
Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. |
|
|
by: Seth Hoffman This weekend, my wife and I did some serious closet cleaning...literally! We had one closet that was a particular disaster where we used to just throw our jackets all the time. The pile was literally thigh-high! Now it is spic and span, with all the jackets hanging up, shoes nicely in rows. The real question is, how long will this last?! Why don't we clean out the messy closets more often? Sometimes it's easier to just know it's a mess and keep the door shut tight with a key. Sometimes it seems like it will be too hard and it is easier just to keep the rest of the place looking good and pretend like that dirty closet doesn't exist. Our guests won't notice...It doesn't hurt anyone...does it? When was the last time you cleaned out your closet? Not literally, but spiritually. It seems like too often we settle for a superficial spirituality - we settle for words and creeds instead of transformation and growth. Sometimes it seems like people become Christians and they think, "Well, I guess that's it! I've got my golden ticket to heaven and from here on out I can just leave the mess of my life alone." There's only one problem with that thinking - Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "The Kingdom of God is near, so repent" (Matthew 3.2). That's not a one off. That's not just talking about some golden ticket. That is a lifestyle. A lifestyle of humbling ourselves before God, asking Him to search our hearts (Psalm 139.23-24) and then responding through the God-given grace of repentance, which means turning around and going God's way.  When was the last time you cleaned out your closet? When was the last time you told God to take a look at your heart and lead you in "the way everlasting?" Maybe the jackets are piling up on the floor. Time to clean house. But I've got great news for EVERYONE that will humble themselves before God: God opposes the proud but He gives grace to the humble (James 4.6). To read Seth's other blogs, click here. |
|
by Seth Hoffman 
Nuclear fallout. Wikipedia says nuclear fallout is the 'residual radiation hazard from a nuclear explosion, so named because it "falls out" of the atmosphere into which it is spread during the explosion. It commonly refers to the radioactive dust created when a nuclear weapon explodes. This radioactive dust, consisting of hot particles, is a kind of radioactive contamination.' Nuclear fallout occurs after a single, powerful event that ends up bringing degenerative transformation to everything it encounters. Terribly destructive. Highly corrosive. Always deadly. Last night I was listening to a great song with amazing imagery. The first line is, "Caught in the mercy fallout, I found hope, found life, found all I need; You're all I need." Instead of the destruction that comes with the single event of a nuclear explosion, the single, historical event of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ has led to a mercy fallout that has transformed broken lives, hardened sinners, and stuffy religious people for centuries. Restoration instead of destruction; transformation, instead of corrosion; life instead of death. Instead of the corrosion that comes from the sin in this fractured world, Jesus transforms us by offering hope, life and satisfaction in the shadow of the cross. It is there, at the foot of the cross, that we find grace for our failures, life for our failing, healing for our brokenness. I've been caught in the mercy fallout of God. God doesn't accept anyone because they're all put together. The only thing I contribute to the mercy God has given is the sin that requires the mercy. God is wonderfully gracious and invites all to find refuge and grace in him. Are you weary? Jesus is for you. In Matthew 11, Jesus says this: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” |
|
|
by: Seth Hoffman Ever feel like life just happens to you? Like life is spinning drastically out of control and you just have to go along for the ride? Ever wish you could just grab control and sort everything else? God knows that I do! So often I find myself striving to make all the circumstances go as I would choose, or in the direction I deem best - to take control of the life I am living. What happens? I just get more and more frustrated. I think Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament, had more of a grip on things than me. He understood that finding purpose in life isn't so much about always constructing the correct circumstances, but making the most of the circumstances you are given. He even said that life was great, but dying is even better because those who put there hope in Jesus will be with him forever. 
So how do you make the most of today? How do you live life on purpose? You make everything about Jesus. Every thought, every action and every word - make it to glorify God! I'm not talking about super-spirituality where every other word is, "Praise the LORD!" but rather, taking every big and small thing in life and doing it - living it - for Jesus. It could be taking care of the children; it could be making a meal for your neighbor; it could be running a large company. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10.31 "whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." So whatever you do today, in everything you do, do it for Jesus fame. That he would be exalted in your heart and shown to be wonderful to all those around you. Make it all about Jesus. |
|
by: Seth Hoffman  In the past, we have asked, "If Harbor Church disappeared, would anyone notice?"
On Monday night, we got an answer. That night, a few of the Harbor Church volunteers from REBUILD were invited to the City Council meeting. When we arrived, we realized that the reason for our invitation was that Mayor Tom Ferrini wanted to honor our church for our service to the city at REBUILD with the MAYORS AWARD. 
It was amazing to be a part of this initiative with all of the other fantastic volunteers, but it was also great to know that it was the church mobilizing community members from all parts of the city to serve the city we love. Harbor Church exists to bless the city in every possible way, including (importantly!) physical rebuilding and community renewal. We are looking forward to future REBUILD events where we can consistently display that we are a church that loves the city, serves the city and cares for the city. Go to the REBUILD|portsmouth website for more info about upcoming events. 
|
|
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next > End >>
|
|
Page 2 of 7 |
|
