Christmas Sunday service, another first at GSCC’s own temple of worship, was more than just an explosion of talents. It was a worship made very special by that “baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12) It was a worship set apart for hearts ready to accept the new born king.
Through Pastor Jun, the Baby Jesus answered Bro. Ed’s plea for the Lord to “create a manger in our hearts” and humble us to accept Him for the world was created through Him but the world knew Him not. The world did not recognize him. The world rejected him. John 1:3-5 wrote: “Through Him all things were made… in Him was life and He was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” For years the world has sung about the “Silent Night” but has never really understood it was a “HOLY NIGHT.” The metaphor of the birth of the Messiah caught in the pastoral simplicity of the nativity scene has continually been losing its meaning among men. The night the Messiah was born, Pastor Jun digressed, was anything but silent. It was drowned in the din of the lowing of animals feeding from the troughs – like men rendered blind and deaf by the cacophony of pleasures of the world. Not even the presence of the angels made the world realize it was a holy night.
Pastor Jun agreed with composer Joseph Mohr that that night Jesus was born was a holy night but he went further to explain that God set apart that night as a special night for the birth of His Son. For it was the fulfillment of His promise prophesied 700 years ago. Isaiah, who devoted 59 verses on the prophecy, said: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel.” (7:14) That was a special night for it was the night God’s plan of salvation was coming together. The baby will grow to be an adult only to die on the cross. And through his death God’s sacrificial plan will be completed. 1 John 2:2 states: “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” That was a special night for it was the night God Himself was born. God descended from heaven and dwelt among us. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. . . The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”(John 1:1-2; 14)
“That night might be silent, but the impact of what took place was not silent at all. The impact of that silent night is still being felt today. No wonder it was a holy night,” Pastor Jun concluded.
That special Sunday worship, as Pastor Jun remarked, was an explosion of talents. Rediscovering his love for the saxophone, Franzon, accompanied by his dad on the piano, sent the congregants swooning with his Kenny G-like rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” The GSCC Choir filled the air with the spirit of the season with 3 special numbers: “I Vow to Worship You,” “Home for Christmas” and “Christmas Decades Medley.” And the Children’s Choir glorified the Lord on his birth like cherubs singing “Happy Birthday, Jesus.” It was a worship sent apart by God for it was a worship made especially for his son. Everyone came with a heart where a manger has been created ready to accept Jesus as personal Lord and Savior. “Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth; Born to give them second birth. Hark the herald, angels sing. Glory to the new born king!” Thus greeted the Praise and Worship Team the GSCC faithful as they came together to adore Him. For among us a child is born on that “Silent Night, Holy Night.”
