4560 Sanctuary: Christmas in August

"who stands fast?

only the man whose final standard is not his reason,

his principles, his conscience, his freedom, or his virtue,

but who is ready to sacrifice all this when he is called to obedient

and responsible action in faith and in exclusive allegiance to God - -

the responsible man, who tries to make his whole life

an answer to the question and call of God."

Dietrich Bonhoffer

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"Austin Christmas"

i have always loved celebrating special events - -

and my favorite celebration of all has and always will be Christmas.

i love everything about the season: the crisp air, the smell of the fresh cut Christmas tree, cinnamon candles, red and green m&m's, Santa Claus, the Christmas TV specials (Charlie Brown), the Christmas movies (Elf, It's a Wonderful Life), the gift-giving, the glitter, the baking of the cookies, the candy, the family traditions, but most of all i love the music of Christmas.

being a music minister over the years has afforded me the wonderful opportunity to arrange, compose and perform the music i love the most - - the carols of Christmas.

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"Austin Christmas"

there are three holidays that Islam has vowed to destroy: New Years, Easter and Christmas. my sojourn of the last 9 years has further opened my eyes to the tremendous impact for Christ that Christmas has on the entire world. i have also experienced the unmitigated hatred and undermining of the celebration that comes against Christmas by the Muslim world.

"Silent Night" alone has been translated into over 140 languages. around the world on Christmas Day, the story of Jesus is being sung and heard by those who do not know him.

i have heard Christians complain about the Christmas music being played in the mall - - i think we should be thanking God that we can play Christmas music in the mall and that the story of Jesus is being heard by every shopper.

in iran, iraq, pakistan and many places on the planet, churches are burned if the carol "Silent Night" or any other carol is heard being sung.

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"Austin Christmas"

i pray, as we start to enter into the season of Christmas - -

(i have been working on Christmas music for two months - - so Christmas is on my mind) that we forget the things that divide us and concentrate on what unites us.

we must use any means to preach the gospel -

and Christmas is one of our most important means.

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"Austin Christmas"

this last year, my nephew Michael and i wrote a Christmas song for Austin, the city in which we live. "i'm dreaming of a white Austin Christmas" - we've never had a white Christmas and it is the #1 wish of Austinites.

we wrote it because we have a heart for Christ - - Christmas - - the lost.

we are using any means to preach the gospel.