There are moments in life when each one of us feels the need of God to come and stand alongside with us as our Helper, Comforter, Guide, Counsellor and Friend. Listening to these songs can make God be real to you.
1. God Will Make a Way — Don Moen
2. Every Tiny Star That Twinkles in the Night Sky
3. O the Deep Deep Love of Jesus
4. God Will Take Care of You –Michael’s Children Home
5. 10000 Reasons (Bless the Lord O My Sou) — Matt Redman
6. The Love of God
7. “My Life is in Your Hands” sung by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
8. Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow — Virtual Choir
9. Softly and Tenderly — Sounds Like Reign
10. Love Lifted Me | Acoustic | Encounter Music
11. Take My Hand Precious Lord — Jim Reeves
12. What a Friend We Have in Jesus
13. Just a closer walk with thee – Patsy Cline And Willie Nelson
14. One Day at a Time — Lynda Randle
15. It Is Well With My Soul
16. The Lily of the Valley
17. May the Good Lord Bless You and Keep You
18. Count Your Blessings
19. Create in Me a Clean Heart
19. Whispering Hope — Willie Nelson
20. Jesus Loves Me This I Know — Joey + Rory
21. Fear Not I Am With Thee
22. O God Our Help In Ages Past
23. Showers of Blessing
24. Faithful One — Cliff Richard
25. Your Love Broke Through — Keith Green
26. Virtual Hymn “The Comforter Has Come” by Melharmonic Virtual Choir
27. Blessed Assurance Christian Worship Song (with Lyrics) written by Fanny Crosby
28. How Deep the Father’s Love for Us – Stuart Townend
29. Under His Wings I Am Safely Abiding
30. Great Is Thy Faithfulness
31. Love from Heaven Born Tonight — A Lovely Christmas Song for Children
32. Abide with Me — Abide With Me – Beating the Retreat 2020 – Republic of India
33. Nearer My God to Thee — André Rieu (live in Amsterdam)
34. God be With You Till We Meet Again (Russian version)
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” — Jesus Christ
1. Thine Be the Glory — Virtual Choir 2020
2. Risen — written by Shawna Edwards
3. Easter Song — Keith Greene
4. Christ Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed (Live at the Gospel Coalition) – Keith & Kristyn Getty
5. Up from the Grave He Arose — Daniel Thornton
6. In Christ Alone My Hope Is Found
7. Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus
8. Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow
9. Matt Redman – One Day (When We All Get To Heaven) (Acoustic)
10. Christ the Lord Is Risen Today — Brookwood Praise Choir
11. Awesome God — Michael W. Smith
12. All Heaven Declares (with lyrics) – Martin Ball
13. All Glory Laud and Honour — First Plymouth Church, Lincoln Nebraska
So many people suffer from guilt. It need not be a great crime like murder that troubles, but it can be the little wrongs they have done.
Their past haunts them.
They suffer silently as their minds torture them.
They feel someone accusing them all the time.
Unable to open up to anyone they carry untold secrets till they die.
He knows that not one of us can find the solution for what troubles our innermost hearts and minds.
He simply says, “Look to me.” On the cross the innocent Lamb of God bled and died for the forgiveness of your sins. The blood of Jesus has the power to cleanse and purify from all sin. One look of believing faith is all that is needed.
Jesus walks into your life even when others have rejected you. He understands you perfectly because he himself had faced rejection by his own. He can give strength to you to face the negatives that people throw at you. He can be your joy, courage, and peace when your emotions are rocked by the railings of men and women. Even when others walk out on you, he will stay with you.
He will never leave you nor forsake you. His love for you is everlasting. Even when others label you a failure and as good for nothing; God sees infinite value and worth in you. The blood of Jesus shed on the cross is the greatest and ultimate proof of his love for you.
When your life is clouded with despair, just call out to him. The Name of Jesus is powerful. He will listen to you cry and answer you. Do not be disappointed with delays. He will come to save you and help you at the right time. Do not give up because people reject you. For you are his beloved child; loved and accepted just as you are. Not for a moment are you forgotten. So cheer up even when people reject. For what does it matter when God has accepted you!
Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!
—
“He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised,
and we esteemed him not.
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.”
Yes, my friend, God loves you. It is an undying love; an everlasting love. He loves you not because you deserve his love; but because he decided to love you even before you were born.
What greater love do you know than you being called a child of God! It is true. You became God’s child when you trusted in him.
Love has been lavished on you.
You might say you have sinned against him much. Let that be true. But the greater truth is you’ve been forgiven much.
Will you love him less?
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!”
No one can forget the scene. On top a hill lifted up on a cross hung wounded and bleeding, Jesus, the Saviour.
You call him a good moral teacher, a divine healer, a great prophet, a worker of miracles or even a revolutionary. But this death he died for all mankind changed it all.
He came to take his cross and walk; and to be lifted high on it. Love then was on exhibit; naked and bleeding—a public spectacle!
Why should it have been so? There is only one answer. God’s love for you on one side; and on the other side, God’s judgement on man’s sin and rebellion against him.
When you feel forsaken; one look of faith at him is enough. It was love that made him shed his last drop of blood for you.
With one look of faith and love on him who was crucified and risen, you can pass on from death to life, from despair to hope, and from darkness to light.
This my friend is the magnetic pull of the cross! It then bled love, and now it spells LIFE for you!
Christmas is a beautiful time of the year. It is a time we remember the birth of Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem two thousand years ago.
In his birth, there is the story of God’s great love for the whole world. Though his birth came about in a small town, the everlasting love of God was painted on a huge canvas. Not only was the love of God wide enough to encompass the whole world; it was and still is very personal as well.
The thrust of the Christmas story is that God became man. He came to be with us as one who could be seen and touched and experienced near.
Secondly, in the birth of Jesus, there is the idea of a precious gift being given. But it was not what people of those times had expected. They had expected a mighty king. Instead came a baby who simply identified himself as God’s gift to the world.
Christmas is made beautiful by this sense of disruption. We do not always get what we hope for. Sometimes even gifts that we receive disappoint us. Perhaps the unwrapping of gifts at Christmas tells us that nothing on earth ultimately satisfies unless we welcome God’s gift—Jesus—into our lives as our Lord and Saviour.
Yet another thought is how our hearts are lifted up with thoughts of heaven at Christmas. The visit of angels and their singing that first Christmas night reminds us that there is a beyond.
Therefore Christmas is an invitation to take some time off from our busyness and think about things that really matter.
Christmas reminds us that our time on earth is brief. But it is given to us that we may reach out to and get hold of life that lasts. Yes, Christmas is a reminder that Jesus came to give us life eternal through his shed blood on the cross. It was for this ultimate sacrifice for you and for me that he came.
Finally, there is something about Christmas that touches our hearts with joy. It can be partly due to the coming together of family and friends at Christmas. Or at a deeper level it can be the discovery of personal worth.
Perhaps we are a generation that is experiencing instant communication through social media. Yet never have men and women felt more lonely, insecure and depressed. It is in this context that the Christmas message of good news of great joy to the whole world rings true, authentic and personal. In the simplest of words, Christmas means God cares for you. Its joy never ends!
When Jesus was born he was called Immanuel meaning God with us. Can God be so ordinary? Can God be human? Incredible!
Yet God chose to humble himself to be a servant of men. This is one meaning of God with us. God stood with us in our brokenness. Well, some of you might think we are OK. Really! Is it true?
Just look around you. The kind of broken hearts and tears you find everywhere. God came to experience all this firsthand. No longer can you tell God, “You don’t understand!”
Yet he will point you to a Man lifted up on a hill between earth and sky, naked and bleeding on a cross with a crown of thorns on his head. An inscription above his head read, Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.
And God will say to you that there he carried your sorrows and was broken for you. Looking at that Man you will find peace. For the punishment of your sins that should have fallen on you fell on him who was innocent. He carried it all for you.
Respected Principal, honoured guests, beloved teachers, and my dear friends,
Good morning to one and all.
Let me first of all thank God as well as the Principal of the School for giving me this opportunity to speak to you on Christmas. I wish to talk to you about the meaning of gifts during Christmas.
Christmas is a beautiful time of the year when family and friends come together. And gifts are exchanged. One group that is always excited at Christmas are children. This is because children love gifts. They look forward to receive gifts during this time of the year. In fact, it is this sense of expectation that makes Christmas special.
Let me tell you how gifts can make Christmas special. There was a lovely young husband and wife who were poor. Both of them, Jim and Della, loved each other dearly. As Christmas came near both of them secretly thought about gifting each other with a lovely Christmas gift. But they did not have much money.
Della had long and beautiful hair. So Jim thought of buying her a beautiful hair clip. Della saw that the strap of Jim’s watch was broken. So she thought of buying him a watch strap. And on Christmas Eve both of them wished each other Happy Christmas and gave the gifts to each other.
But children there were tears in both their eyes. Do you know why? It was because Della had cut her long hair and sold it to get money to buy Jim a watch strap. And Jim had sold his watch to buy Della a hair clip.
This spirit of sacrifice is the true meaning of Christmas as this classic short story from O. Henry highlights. Likewise, it was not easy for God to send his Son Jesus to this world. It was a sacrifice. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Therefore let us celebrate Christmas by thanking God for his indescribable gift—the gift of God’s Son Jesus!
Remember my dear children; he came just for you and for me!
Let me also tell you the story of a young boy who was an orphan. He was poor. During Christmas time he used to go to the street and watch the lovely gifts displayed inside shops. He would press his nose against the glass to have a closer look.
But he was sad because there was no one to give him a gift. One day, he saw a small cat on the road. He also saw a car coming against it. On seeing this the boy jumped in front of the car and saved the cat. But the car hit him. And he was taken to hospital.
There was a good nurse who took care of him. On Christmas day she gifted him with a toy. The boy opened the packet and found a toy train inside it. The nurse asked him, “Do you like it?”
The boy with great joy cried out: “There is no glass between.” Saying so he put the toy train close to his heart. See how happy he was when he had a toy for himself.
Dear children, may God gift you with the real joy of finding Jesus this Christmas. So that you too can say with this boy, “Now there is no glass between; I too have found the true joy of Christmas.”
Finally, during Christmas time we remember the journey of the Wise Men who came from far way to worship baby Jesus. They had seen a star and travelled from far away to meet Jesus. And when the star led them to Jesus, they gave gifts of gold and myrrh and incense to Jesus. That is why in remembrance of their act of worship we also give gifts to each other during Christmas.
So think about it. When you meet Jesus, what will be the gift you wish to give him? I am sure Jesus will be happy to see your love towards him more than anything else. So try to love Jesus more this Christmas.
Wish all of you a blessed Christmas and a prosperous new year. Thank you.
Thank you. —Stefan B. Peter, PP II K, St. Thomas School, Kumarapuram.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”
— John 3:16 Bible.
Welcome Speech
Respected Dignitaries, teachers, parents and my dear friends,
A warm good morning to one and all.
We are celebrating Christmas at our school today. It is a time we think of baby Jesus in Bethlehem. I stand here now to welcome all of you.
First of all, let me welcome all the dignitaries present here. We are so glad you came to watch our program. On behalf of the school I happily welcome all of you.
Next, I welcome our Respected Principal, teachers, parents, kochammas [caretakers] and friends to this program. May this Christmas program touch our hearts with joy.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas. Once again I welcome all of you.
Thank you. —Daniela B. Peter, PP II K, St. Thomas School, Kumarapuram.
It is at those moments that you look for someone who has passed through such trouble to come and be with you. Perhaps speak an encouraging word. For only those who have experienced what you are going through can offer any help.
It is at this point our burden-bearer stands at life’s difficult hours and crossroads. The man who “was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering!”1
Not only does he understand pain and grief, he knows what it is to weep. He knows what it is to carry the greatest burden of mankind—the burden of sin and its accompanying guilt and shame.
He calls you his friend. More than that, he calls you, “My brother, my sister.”
He who carried the cross will willingly carry your burden as well. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”2 That is his call and invitation.
Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!
“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour, who daily bears our burdens” — Psalm 68:19
Because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” — Hebrews 13:5, 6.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9.
“For we do not have a high priest [Jesus] who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” — Hebrews 4:15, 16.
[Quotes from Bible, New International Version 1984]
Have you ever been lost somewhere in a crowd? And you had to wait anxiously for someone to come and find you out. Then you might have experienced the joy of someone coming in search of you and finding you.
What a relief to know that you were thought about and not forgotten. What a joy to know that someone cared. What good news is it to be reminded that you belong to someone.
It is in this sense that Christmas is good news of great joy to all the people. It simply tells us that God remembers each one of us. It tells us that none of us is forgotten. It reminds us that in spite of all our failures, mistakes and sins; God is ready to clean up the mess. He is willing to dirty his hands to give us a new life in his Son Jesus.
This is the story of Christmas. This is the good news that God came down to us in Jesus Christ. He came as a baby; a child who came to sacrifice his life by shedding his blood on the cross for all mankind. Through this sacrifice, God is ready to forgive all who come to him and cleanse people of all sin and impurity.
No one is excluded from this joy. People of all tribes and nations, languages and cultures are welcome.
The true joy of Christmas is not in the festivity of the season. It is not to be found in gifts and stars, cake and wine, new dress and carols and Christmas trees and Christmas cards and Santa Claus.
But the true joy of Christmas is that a Saviour came. And it is good news of great joy because it is for all the people of the world. God’s search for the lost continues and it will not end until his love finds you and gifts you the joy of salvation today.
And when God finds you and saves you; joy erupts and explodes in heaven for Jesus said there is great rejoicing in heaven and in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. So my friend, is that someone you?
But today, I want you to focus on that one star that has inspired countless lighted stars down the centuries. It is none other than the Star of Christmas.
The Star of Christmas was first of all a shining star.
No one who was watching for it could miss its newfound presence in the sky. No doubt, like that star, God still shines his light in the hearts of all who sincerely search for the truth.
Secondly, the Star of Christmas was a unique star.
It rose announcing the birth of a king. It was fitting that God chose a star in the skies to make a royal proclamation. Otherwise, how would anyone have known that the child born in a manger is king?
Thirdly, the Star of Christmas was a guiding star.
It travelled in front of the Wise Men who came from the East in search of the child Jesus. It brought them safely to the place where Jesus was. No further mention is made of this star. It had fulfilled its purpose of pointing the way to Jesus; nothing greater was expected of it.
Finally, and above all, the Star inspired the Wise Men to come to worship Jesus and offer their best gifts to him. That first journey of the Wise Men even today inspires countless thousands to seek the One who bled and died on the cross to bring peace between God and men.
Children love gifts. They look forward to receive gifts during this time of the year. In fact, it is this sense of expectation that makes Christmas special.
It is said that there was such a sense of expectation in the air during the time of the birth of Jesus. His coming meant that God came down to be with us. In a special sense God came near to us in Jesus.
Yes, he came for you and me!
The great distance between a holy God and we sinners was bridged in Jesus. It was as if God were saying “I want to be friends with you!”
Yes, he came for you and me!
Therefore the gift of Christmas is about the presence of God with us. It is a gift that was given with an everlasting love. Because of this gift, life puts on a new meaning:
So here is a gift you are given for free. No need to read the price tag. It is beyond our ability to pay. I am talking about the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made on the cross where he shed his innocent blood for the sins of all.
Therefore let us celebrate Christmas by thanking God for his indescribable gift—the gift of God’s Son Jesus!
Have you ever wondered what the story that is told every Christmas is?
It is the story of Someone who came searching for you and me.
This story is one of hope.
It is so because the story tells us that we belong. It tells us that we are not forgotten or forsaken. Though there is something that is broken about us, though there are many patches showing in our hearts, there is someone who deeply cares for us.
This story is one of hope, I repeat again, because a Saviour came searching for you and me.
It is so because Christmas is the true story of God’s Son Jesus coming down to earth to become man. He came not because any one of us is perfect but instead all of us are sinners in need of a Saviour. Since it was not possible for man to save himself, God came down to be one like us to save us.
This story is one of hope because in Jesus, God came near to us.
For all those who deeply longed to know God, Jesus came declaring that anyone who has seen him has seen God as well. As Jesus freely mingled with all sorts of people in the marketplace and touched them with love and compassion, so also God longs to touch you with his love and forgiveness.
Finally, this story is one of hope because Jesus came to give us life.
This became possible because Jesus shed his blood on the cross and died for us. His precious blood that flowed cleanses and purifies man from all sin. Above all, he came back to life from the dead. He lives for ever.
Therefore there is hope for all men and women.
Because he lives, those who believe in him will also live for ever. This is the good news of great joy declared for all people at Christmas. It includes you and me.
Yes friends, Jesus came to give you a clean break from your past and give you a brand new beginning in life. Like the Star of Bethlehem that rose the first Christmas night when the child Jesus was born in a manger, may the light of this hope shine in your heart bright and clear.
This is a time of the year when people are singing all around the world. We hear many songs like Silent night, holy night; and Joy to the world. I am here to say a few words on what these songs are telling us. They are telling us about Christmas.
Christmas is all about the love of God. God so loved the world that he gave his Son for us. Jesus is thus God’s greatest gift to all of us.
Christmas is also a reminder of God’s humility. He chose a poor village girl named Mary who was a virgin to be the mother of Jesus.
When Jesus was born there was no room for him in the inn. So he was placed in a manger from which cattle fed. It tells us that Jesus is ready to come into any human heart which has room for him.
This is the good news of Christmas. God is ready to be our friend and Saviour. This message first came to the shepherds watching their flocks at night.
The glory of the Lord shone around them. They were afraid. But an angel told them not to be afraid because he was bringing them the good news of the birth of the Saviour in Bethlehem.
Suddenly a choir of angels came and they sang the first carol: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.” This first song of Christmas tells us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Those who trust in him will find peace with God.
A bright shining star rose in the sky to tell people far away of the birth of Jesus. Wise Men who saw the star came from far away to see the child born a king. They came and bowed down and worshipped Jesus. They also presented him with gifts of gold, incense and myrrh. Yes, even today, wise men and women still seek Jesus and find him.
It is when you find Jesus that your heart is filled with joy. All celebrations of Christmas are an expression of this joy. We have this joy in our hearts because Jesus is our Immanuel. It means God is with us.
So this Christmas, let us all join together to sing and praise God. Let us all join together to tell everyone that God is deeply in love with this world. Let the burning candles and shining Christmas lights tell the world that God’s love is still shining in this dark world.
Yes, there is hope for all men and women. Whatever be your situation in life, God can make a big difference. That is Christmas. I wish you all the peace and joy of Christmas. May God bless you with the best gifts of heaven this Christmas. Thank you.
Every drop of blood
The Saviour shed
Was for you my dear—
None else to him counted more dear.
He was lifted high
For all the world to see;
That One Sacrifice For all our sins to bleed.
It cost him much
To gain the pardon
That would set us free
From death’s grip for all eternity.
The cross still stands
At all life’s crossroads
Asking you and me:
“What more should have I done for you?
In his eyes
I saw that look
Of love’s gentle light.
It stripped my soul
Naked and bare
And lit up all past
Snapshots of remote access.
It was quite unlike
The vulturous looks
Of those who tore apart
My flesh; and left me empty
Like the beer cans that littered the streets.
And then came the time
When grey hair and wrinkled skin
Took away my charm.
And those who used to come
Turned the other way
Even the birds of prey.
Though it was for pleasure
That I first took my plunge
Into the dimly lit dancing halls;
Now I know it was lust’s appetite
That led me through sin’s dark alleys
And made me go down the slimy pit
From which I saw no escape.
But now I stood before the man
Who looked at me with deep sad eyes!
And gentle, like a dove!
Then I saw myself
For all I was worth
For his eyes spelled love
Never known to me before.
Here was a Man
Who bore the prints of nail
That pierced his flesh
And bled to wash away all filth—
That to my skirts clung even after laundry.
The silence of this Lamb;
Even when all my past
Had so deeply wounded him
Took me off guard;
And made me kneel
Before his Majesty.
It was sacrifice
That made love so costly dear
And showed me that earth’s
Finest gifts cannot match
The love that forgave
And asked nothing in return—But
My heart I give to you, Oh, my Valentine!
Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!
“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, . . . to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” — St. John (Revelation 1:5, 6).
Christmas is celebrated with singing of carols. At this time, a compere finds it a joyful experience to inspire audiences with the various tones, colours, and emotions of Christmas.
Presented here is the script for compering 7 great songs of Christmas. Take note that in the examples, the background of the song’s message is presented quickly and then what it means to us today is refreshingly explained.
As is characteristic of all good communication each compere segment has an Intro (the introduction which captures attention), an Inspire (the body which illuminates the inspiration that the song brings to us), and The Invite (the conclusion which persuades people to listen to the song with their hearts and minds as well)!
[Inspire:] No other birth had ever brought heaven so close to the earth; with music divine and light so glorious and bright parting the darkness. The glory shone and the message “Do not be afraid” rang out loud and clear. With angels singing and shepherds watching, the peaceful Christmas tidings of joy for all people at the birth of the Son of God was proclaimed.
[The Invite:] Here, the choir presents to you the all time greatest, the favourite song of Christmas across cultures and boundaries; “Silent Night, Holy Night.”
Song #2 Hark the Herald Angels Sing [Intro:]Angel voices are rarely heard. Yet one night long time ago in Bethlehem a great company of angels proclaimed glory to the new-born King.
[Inspire:] Its resonance is heard in countless hearts and homes even today. The wonder of the virgin birth of Jesus, the marvel of Immanuel–God with us, the amazing story of God and sinners being reconciled are all brought to us through this song. In its final sweep it raises our thoughts to the Sun of Righteousness who has risen for us with healing in his wings; to bring hope to us that those who trust in Jesus need not find death the end but a beginning; for they’ll live with God for ever.
[The Invite:] Enjoy the popular song, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” which captures the reality of Christmas in one brilliant snapshot.
Song #3 O Come, All Ye Faithful [Intro:] So many people miss the joy of Christmas because they can’t think anything spectacular about a child lying in a manger.
[Inspire:] Yet hear the prophetic voice of Isaiah, who had a quick glimpse into the greatness of this child 7 centuries before the birth of Christ. He penned these immortal and majestic words: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” The song, “O Come, all ye faithful,” is a call to come and adore the King of angels; it is a call to come and bless the Lord who came to save us; it is a call to worship God with songs of triumph.
[The Invite:] Therefore come, let us with one glad accord adore this child, none other than Christ the Lord.
Song #4 Joy to the World; the Lord Is Come! [Intro:] When God pours forth his joy; he does so like a dam bursting. No one can contain the flooding and swelling of joy in one’s heart.
[Inspire:] Such joy is experienced by all those who find their sins forgiven; and hearts washed clean by the blood of the Lamb of God shed on the cross. They can then sing along with angels joyous notes and experience what the song says: “fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains, Repeat the sounding joy.” Yes, dear friends, it is when our hearts are filled with the joy of God that we find nature too exploding with joy. This lovely song compels us to prepare our hearts and make room to receive the King at Christmas.
[The Invite:] So let us with heaven and nature sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!”
Song #5 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night [Intro:] The first announcement of Christmas came to the shepherds watching over their flocks by night. They were not told this good news because they were poor or marginalized in society. There was a greater reason.
[Inspire:] It was that they were taking care of the flock meant for sacrifice. To them the good news came that no more animal sacrifices are needed; for the Lamb of God has come to take away the sins of the world by his once for all sacrifice. This first announcement of the Christmas message reminds us that God stepped into human history just like any one of us; as a child. But it was no ordinary child who lay in a manger; but the Saviour of the world; Christ the Lord. Let us therefore with the heavenly choir of angels relive that first Christmas night when the glory of the Lord shone around the shepherds.
[The Invite:] Listen now to “While Shepherds Watched their Flocks by Night.”
Song #6 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear [Intro:] Some moments are etched in gold in our minds. More so when it is accompanied by music that no mortals can sing.
[Inspire:] This song is set against the backdrop of the sad and lowly plains of this earth and its confusion of sounds. Above this noise, through parted skies comes to us the heavenly music floating over this weary world. Let us stop the empty noises that we make; let us stop our quarrelling and listen to the love song the angels bring even as they sing at the midnight clear. Yes, this song tells us about the sadness of man at war with each other and having no time to listen to the glorious song of angels.
[The Invite:] Yet the song, “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” ends with the great hope that someday a golden age would dawn when the whole world would give back the song which now the angels sing.
Song #7 The First Noel the Angel Did Say [Intro:] This melodious song talks of the first Christmas (Noel) on a cold winter’s night.
[Inspire:] Though the birth of Christ was first announced to shepherds, slowly the song narrates how wise men from the east saw the shining star and followed it to find the King–the King of Israel. They followed the star and found where Jesus was and worshipped him with gifts. These men were forerunners of all who would come to worship him from the ends of the earth. The song ends with a forward look to the time when all with one voice will sing praises to God because Jesus redeemed man from his sins by shedding his blood on the cross.
[The Invite:] Come on, let us celebrate the movement of God’s salvation from its first angelic announcement to the day all shall praise him from the ends of the earth. Tune your hearts to “The First Noel the Angel Did Say.”
The Crescendo Compere’s Concluding Remarks
Ladies and Gentlemen, the world has had only one true Lover. He so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son to save man from all his sins. Yes, the deep longing for forgiveness and peace with God is the need of the hour. When that happens, the joy of Christmas will ring out loud and clear as songs of joy and triumph, and as melodies of love and peace. And one day with angels numbering countless ten thousands upon ten thousands, our tongues too shall proclaim aloud the praises of God our Saviour, Redeemer and Friend. The songs we heard tonight are just a curtain-raiser to that great day and event.
Hope you enjoyed the songs presented here tonight. May the peace of God guard your hearts as you leave this auditorium and let angels accompany your going out. Wish you a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year! Thank you, one and all.
Hope of a better tomorrow;
a brand new beginning in life today;
and a clean break from the failures of the past
is what Christmas is all about.
Its message is life-changing.
This message came to us not as a printed text or spoken word which is difficult to understand; instead this message came to us as a child born in a manger in Bethlehem! Yes, a child, a Saviour, was born to tell us that God cared enough to dirty his feet in earthly soil.
He came as someone who could be seen and touched
and with whom people could enjoy intimate friendship.
He ate with people; talked with them and cried with them in their sorrows.
Therefore,
In him, people experienced God near.
In him, the great distance between sinful man and a holy God was bridged. In him, sinners found a friend!
This is the great hope Jesus gifted this world with;that all those who believe in him might live for ever!
Yes friends, it is the faint glimpse of this hope that is reflected in the tradition of unwrapping of gifts at Christmas: A sense of wonder at what the future holds; expecting something as nice as the gift one would get. But often expectations are not met. Many are disappointed.
Few other words have touched the heart and influenced thought for generations than Jesus’ 7 sayings on the cross. Here we take a look at them from a public speaker’s perspective.
The Setting:
The scene that day was dramatic as well as cosmic.
Jesus was nailed to the cross and lifted high; hanging between earth and sky from 9 a.m. in the morning till the time of the evening sacrifice at 3 p.m.
There was a crown of thorns on his head and a written inscription above him which read, “Jesus of Nazareth, The King of the Jews.” While he lay on the cross, those who passed by hurled insults at him.
Unusually, there came darkness over all the land. Two criminals were also crucified with him, one on the right and another on his left. At the foot of the cross, Roman soldiers cast lots for his clothing.
A Public Speaker’s Perspective:
No man ever spoke so gracious words from such a stage. Here was the Saviour of the world, helpless, naked and bleeding. Such a setting and backdrop gives the utterances of Jesus from the cross a unique place in human history. For the audience was not just the crowds that had gathered, but both heaven and hell were eager witnesses to this event destined to change the lives of men and women, young and old and little children down through the centuries.
Saying #1
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
A Public Speaker’s Perspective:
An introduction that goes right into the heart of the subject is much appreciated by audiences. Here Jesus is clearly showing the purpose of his suffering. He was shedding his blood for the forgiveness of man’s sins. From a speaker’s perspective note also the confidence with which these words were spoken; the confidence that his words would be heard by his Father in heaven. Confidence born of conviction is an asset to any speaker on any given day; isn’t it?
Saying #2
Then he [one crucified criminal] said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
This is the only one instance in the gospels where Jesus is addressed by his name alone without any other titles attached.
A Public Speaker’s Perspective:
Communicating hope is perhaps the highest calling of any speaker. Here the man is expressing his need to find salvation. Jesus is able to meet that need, assuring him of a place with him in paradise. Therefore that man died in hope; assured of a home in heaven for he had placed his faith on the King and his kingdom. In today’s world characterized by all kinds of fears and tensions and anxieties, if the speaker can communicate hope to the audience of a better and bright tomorrow; then he has done the world a great service indeed.
Saying #3
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, . . . When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
A Public Speaker’s Perspective:
A speaker should exhibit care towards his audience. As it is said, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Jesus, even in his moments of great agony, was ever mindful of the need of his mother to find rest and joy in some home the remainder of her days on earth. So also a speaker should be able to sense the unspoken needs of the crowd he is addressing and come up with a solution that shows he cares.
Saying #4
About the ninth hour [i.e. 3 p.m.] Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”-which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
This is the only instance in the gospels where we find Jesus addressing his father as God instead of Abba which means Dear Father. The reason being that the entire sin of the world was now placed on him and for the first time Jesus was experiencing the separation that sin brings between God and man. The darkness that came over the whole land was a reflection of this inner struggle of Jesus as he the Sinless One was experiencing the wrath and judgement of God against sin for you and for me.
A Public Speaker’s Perspective:
A speaker has to identify himself with the audience.Here Jesus identifies with suffering humanity who constantly ask this question, “O God, why have you forsaken us?” Those who suffer unjustly find solace in this cry of Jesus knowing that he too passed through the dark night of the soul. When an audience knows that a speaker has experienced what they are going through, he gains greater credibility with them.
Saying #5
Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”
A Public Speaker’s Perspective:
Many speakers find it difficult to open up before audiences. . They are afraid to share a story from their life. This is because they fear that if they are shown as weak, then audiences would not regard them in a favourable light. But Jesus was different. The tremendous loss of blood following the physical abuses that were heaped on him made his tongue stick to the roof of his mouth. So as a human being he made his weakness known. The lesson for a speaker is that he should never fail to highlight the common human aspect of his life and make it known to his audience. It is then that audiences warm up to a speaker.
Saying #6
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.”
It is finished is one single word in Greek—tetelestai. At the end of the day when a person had completed the work that was assigned to him he would say tetelestai. When someone paid off a debt he owed, he was issued a receipt that was stamped with the word tetelestai, which meant paid in full. Jesus, by crying out tetelestai was saying, whatever his Father had sent him to do was now finished. His innocent blood had now been poured out for the forgiveness of sins. Nothing remained to be done for man’s salvation—anymore! It was all done by him. Therefore it was a victor’s shout, a cry of triumph. It is finished. Tetelestai.
A Public Speaker’s Perspective:
As we look at this from a public speaker’s perspective, many speakers who begin well end with a whimper. This is true not only of speech but also of life as well. A speaker should determine to finish strong, not only in his speech but in his life too. Jesus, knowing that he had fully paid for the sin of the world, said, “It is finished.” It was a cry of triumph. So also, a strong conclusion is a must for a great speech. Weak conclusions leave a weak impression in the minds of the audience. It frustrates them with a sense of incompleteness. But here we see Jesus finishing on a strong note.
Saying #7
Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
A Public Speaker’s Perspective:
A graceful exit is as much a thing of beauty as a great performance. A speech ideally should end on a positive note of looking forward with hope. In this last saying, Jesus is quoting a prayer which says “Into your hands I commit my spirit.” It was a prayer that every Jewish mother taught her child to say the last thing before he or she slept at night. Here, Jesus dies like a child falling asleep in his father’s arms. It was indeed a graceful exit.
Audience Perspective:
Ultimately the success of any communication depends on what the audience perceives about it. Though the vast majority in the crowd thought that Jesus’ life had ended in failure, a centurion of the Roman army who was in charge of the crucifixion was moved by Jesus’ death. The gospels record thus: “And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, `Surely this man was the Son of God!’ ”
Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!
Note: The quotes used in this blog post are taken from the four Gospel accounts about Jesus Christ taken from the New International Version of the Bible: Inscription, John 19:19. The seven sayings, Luke 23:34, Luke 23:42, 43, John 19:25-27, Matthew 27:46, John 19:28, John 19:30, Luke 23:46. Centurion, Mark 15:39. Jesus’ Perspective, John 12:32.
