Yes, Lord willing we will soon be back home in Mexico! We appreciate those who are praying.
Not long before our trip south was to begin, we all got sick, which certainly meant some unexpected changes to our last few days in Canada. We’re still not at 100%, so that makes it difficult to look forward to all this travel. So if you think of it, do pray that we will be all right on the trip. There’s also a lot that needs to be done right away as we settle back into life in Mexico, so pray that we would be able to get those things done and have some time to recuperate over the next few weeks.
We’re thankful that my Mom is also moving – a room became available which will likely be temporary, but it is a room, a nice room actually, and it’s not in the hospital, where she’s been waiting.
Lots happening all at once, as always! For us at the moment, it’s planes and taxis!
You could say that this was the story of an MK (missionary kid). Well, it is – and it isn’t. James didn’t grow up overseas, but the missions work of his parents did influence his life and his writing.
James was born in Irvine, Scotland in 1771 – only about 15km from where some of my family would be living (and may already have been living). Andrew and Janet Armour would soon be starting a family (my great great great great grandparents). But James’ parents were John and Mary, who had become attached to a new Moravian settlement in the area. Uneducated but eloquent, John became an itinerant preacher and was newly stationed in Irvine when James was born.
The Moravians, a Christian tradition dating from the 15th century, were very missions-minded, and James was to spend his early life in the excitement, chaos and sacrifice of this movement. From what we can tell, the family was very poor, and sacrificed much. And when James was only about 12 years old, his parents were sent as missionaries to the West Indies. They both died there in the early 1790s, in Barbados and in Tobago (my sources seem to contradict regarding which parent died where).
James had been sent to a Moravian school, but seemed more interested in composing epic poems than being diligent in his schoolwork. But certain loves would stay with him his entire life – a love of missions, and a love of poetry.
James went from job to job, with his poetry his only steady passion. He finally got a job at a newspaper in England, surprisingly quickly becoming its editor. More on that later, but suffice to say the newspaper became a vehicle for his writing.
And so on Christmas Eve in 1816, he published the first version of what would become one of the world’s most well-known Christmas carols…
Angels from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o’er all the earth; Ye who sang creation’s story Now proclaim Messiah’s birth. Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn king.
The story of the “Christmas angels” in the Gospel of Luke is well known. But James also takes a passage from Job, where God says,
Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
The “sons of God” are apparently the angels, watching in amazement as God created the earth. The morning stars may refer to angels as well.
But this is not simply talking about the announcement to the shepherds. The songwriter is asking the angels to share their message with the whole world – the world that they once saw created. Here James’ missions heart comes through. The message of the incarnate Christ is not just for the shepherds – or Israel – or even Scotland – it’s for the whole planet, and everyone on it. All are called to worship the King.
And I hope that a closer look at this carol will lead us to do the same thing over the next few weeks – worship, and proclaim!
This year I’d like to look at another carol that is quite common, and yet it comes from quite an interesting time in history – and some history that took place quite near where some of my family lived at the time. The author was a missionary kid, a bit of a rebel, and sometimes a rather controversial figure. He even found himself in jail at one point. But in spite of his political involvement, it was his influence on the church that he’s remembered for.
Well – maybe he’s not remembered that much. But his influence remains, and this remarkable song is part of the story.
So this Saturday we’ll start to explore Christmas Song #6 – because, as you might have noticed, Saturday marks only one month until Christmas!
Travelling is good – a blessing – and also difficult.
We’ve been travelling for 5 months, which is a long time to live out of a suitcase, be out of your routine, be away from familiar surroundings. And if we’re here much longer, it will be a record time away from home.
But travelling has been a blessing as well. We’ve been able to spend time with family. We’ve been involved in ministry in many different churches. We’ve visited friends, and even made new friends.
We got together with some people at Avant who do so much for us (not pictured was Carolyn – we appreciate you too!):
One church even put together a pretty cool Mexican display for me to stand in front of (Prairie Tabernacle):
Shari shared at a women’s prayer meeting, and is preparing for another. And for those who have been asking, my Mom is doing a lot better! Here she is at the prayer meeting (front and centre)…
And of course there was another Where did the Bible Come from? seminar. Here’s a group pouring over “ancient” manuscripts of the fabled story of Javier the Louse…
Well, there has been so much happening that I won’t go into it all here. But it’s been fun!
But we’ve also been missing Mexico. In fact, we even missed a church anniversary service for the first time – although we were “there” in spirit, and we did record a video message for the service.
And so the time is coming to prepare for travel back to Mexico. We would appreciate your prayers for reasonable tickets, and that God would give wisdom as to timing! There’s a lot to do before we go, so I’d better get to it.
Ten years ago today was the epic cake decorating class – one of many baking classes that Shari taught at the community centre in the community of Jesús María.
Just click the picture below for a larger version:
Ten years ago today we woke up to discover no water in the house – and lots of water outside! It was a Sunday morning, and I was heading off to a music practice in Jesús María, when I saw this…
We called the water company of course, who told us they would come that day. But come evening, no water company, and the fountain was still pouring water out.
The next day we were heading out to a team retreat – still no water in the house – still a lot outside – and finally later that day the workers came, smashed the sidewalk, ripped up the ground, and fixed/replaced the plastic pipe. And we still made it – slightly late – to our retreat. Where we were finally able to get some water!
