Hello, and welcome to the first of December, 2020. There has been much anticipation for this last month of the year as it signals the end of what many have found to be a season of great challenge. As we close in on the end of 2020, Tuesday's Musical Notes wants to take the opportunity to celebrate this history-making year, while reflecting on those moments that proved to be more demanding. So welcome! It's December!
It is also the first Tuesday of December and that time of year where Tuesday's Musical Notes goes all Christmasy! As we have for the past 12 years (check out the archives, they're to your left), Tuesday's Musical Notes will feature a different Christmas song each week. It's one of our favorite times of the year and we hope you enjoy it too! So let's get started with something that you may not realize even existed, The Beatles' Christmas record...
From 1963 to 1969, The Beatles released Christmas singles to their fan clubs in the UK and US. These records were on 7" Flexi discs, which were designed to be less expensive and easily mailed. The recordings featured spoken greetings from each band member, skits, traditional Christmas carols, and original Christmas songs. These records provided a means for the band to "message back" the loyal "Beatle people" who had joined fan clubs and written millions of letters to the Fab Four.
In 1970, a compilation of all 7 singles, From Then to You, was released on vinyl and sent to fan club members.
"Christmas Time (Is Here Again)" was the Christmas single from 1967. It was a concept song with a total running time of 6:06. It featured the band in various roles as if they were auditioning for a BBC radio show. It concluded with the Lennon penned poem "When Christmas Is Over" paying homage to the "Craig Torso" BBC specials by Beatle's pals the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band.
Fast forward to 2020 and we find ourselves anticipating that Christmas Time is here again. What does that mean? Do we face this season of peace and goodwill towards men with anxiety and fear? Do we plan for this season of togetherness and fellowship to be separated and socially distant? Do we embrace the reality of our situation and realize that 2020's Christmas Time is unlike any other in that our hope and joy are needed more than ever and cannot be diminished by earthly goings-on.
Here at Tuesday's Musical Notes, we've been preparing for Christmas in a little different way. We've been reviewing the Israelites journey from Egypt to the Promised Land recently proving that the Old Testament does indeed have much to do with the season of giving of which we are about to embark. Exodus 15-40 New American Standard Bible/The Amplified Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel
We've seen how God has in miraculous ways led the nearly 2 million folks that are stubborn, self-centered, and disobedient out of Egypt and to Mt. Sinai. We've seen how God has provided food and water even though the folks were ungrateful. We've seen how God has been patient and provided boundaries by which a good life can be obtained. We've explored the covenant between God and His people and how God always fulfills His end of the agreement. We've seen that the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, the cathedral of the wilderness, the church of the children of Israel, was established as the means by which God could communicate with His people and be present with them.
If we take a moment and ponder the stories of Exodus, we soon realize that all of the things that we've read about, studied, and seen bear witness as a foreshadowing of what that first Christmas represents.
Yes, friend, Christmas time is here again! It is time to tell everyone about how the God who created us, saved us from the slavery of our own wrongdoing. Romans 6 NASB/AMP/KJV It is time to tell everyone about how the God who loves us provides our necessities and gives us the creativity and wisdom to overcome the adversities that we may face. The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple Matthew, Chapter 7, verses 7-12 NASB/AMP/KJV It is time to tell everyone about how the God who is with us, guides us through the boundaries He has given us to live a full and blessed life. Ephesians 3:14-20 NASB/AMP/KJV It is time to tell everyone about how the God who makes a promise to be with us, makes a way for that promise to always be fulfilled. The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple John, chapter 14, verses 18-21 NASB/AMP/KJV
So as we embark on the Christmas of 2020, let joy dominate your to's and fro's! Let an effervescent hope overflow from your persona! Let Holy Spirit be evident in your life as God dwells with us! Let the challenge of finding creative ways to gather encourage you and others! Most of all, let the Jesus, whose coming we celebrate this month, be your Savior from slavery, your provider of needs, your boundary, and your Promise Keeper..."I will never leave you, nor forsake you...
It's been 'round since you know when...Christmas time is here again!
'Til Tuesday,
Serving HIM by Serving You,
randy
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