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“O Holy Night”, a favorite carol of Christmas, was the creation of Placide Clappeau, the mayor of Roquemaure, France. Clappeau, a winemaker, also wrote poetry, mostly for his own enjoyment. His minister asked him to write something special for the Christmas celebration. While riding in a carriage to Paris Clappeau penned his lyrics. He asked Adolphe-Charles Adam, a classical composer of music mostly presented in secular venues and ballets, to create the melody for his poem, “O Holy Night.” Clappeau’s powerful lyrics so greatly impressed the French composer that he created the deeply stirring music for the song. No one can question that the lyrics and music make a perfect combination for one of the all-time great songs of the season.

In 1847 this song was first presented. It became an overnight success. Later, when the French church discovered Clappeau had left Christianity to follow the social movement of his day, and also learned the music composer, Charles Adams, was Jewish, the hymn was banned. Because it was so popular with the people, who continued to sing it outside the church, “O Holy Night” grew in public acceptance and was reinstated. John Sullivan Dwight later translated the lyrics into English and it became an American Christmas carol favorite. Around the world this song has provided praise and inspiration and has uplifted Christmas celebrants everywhere.

On Christmas Eve, 1906, a Canadian –born inventor named Reginald Fessenden transmitted the first radio broadcast in history from an experimental tower in Massachusetts. Fessenden, who is sometimes referred to as the “Father of Radio Broadcasting,” read passages from the Bible and then on his violin played “O Holy Night.” When he did, he made it the first song ever transmitted over radio waves.

This beautiful carol of the season gives us many lessons. God is able to use those we may consider most unlikely to bring Him praise and honor. God can put together a team that can create something so special it will inspire and bless others globally. God can take something that some would discredit and throw away and keep it lasting and enriching.

The lyrics of “O Holy Night” present that Christmas 2000 years ago as “Divine.” It tells us what lay beyond the manger…darkness dispelled by light…despair pushed away by deliverance…sadness replaced by joy… emptiness filled with abundance…and so much more.

May you discover such a night for yourself. May this inwardly be your greatest Christmas!

Till next time, Don Johnson, Kirby Pines Chaplain

Again we have watched Baseball’s World Series. Even if the outcome was not what we wished it is still a great event.

Many years ago one of the most amazing games in the series was played. In 1924 the World Series between the New York Giants and the Washington Senators was tied after six games. Griffith stadium in Washington was packed for the final game on October 10, 1924. They came to the ninth inning with the game score tied at three runs each. New York was put down in order and Washington came to bat. The home team fans screamed for one lone run, which would win the series and the world championship. The first two men made outs and it looked like extra innings. Then a player named Leon “Goose” Goslin came to the plate.

Two strikes were called and then two balls. The crowd was watching every pitch. On the fifth pitch, Goslin stepped into the ball and slammed it to left-center field. The crowd became delirious; it looked like a home run, but it hit inches below the top of the wall and fell back into the field of play.

Goslin was slowing down for a triple when the third base coach waved him on to try for an in-park home run. The shortstop took the peg from left-center, and fired the ball to the catcher. Goslin slid into home in a cloud of dust, seemingly a split second before the tag. The catcher followed the routine of throwing the ball around the bases, just in case, while waiting for the umpire to make the call. The umpire made a delayed call, consulting the other umpires, and then cried, “You’re out!”

Washington player/manager, Bucky Harris, along with his team and fans, rushed onto the field, protesting the call. The umpire secured order, and announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, the batter is out because he didn’t touch first base!”

The game went into extra innings and in the bottom of the twelfth inning, Early McNeely hit an infield ground ball, which should have been an easy out but took a bad bounce over the third baseman’s glove into left field. That was enough to score Washington catcher Ruel from third base with the winning run. This was the first world championship Washington won and it was on, what some would call, an unearned run.

A 20th Century evangelist named Angel Martinez used this story in his sermon, “Play Ball.” First Base represented salvation, Second Base, baptism and church membership, Third Base was Christian service and Home Plate stood for heaven. In his sermon’s conclusion, Martinez, building upon the 1924 Series even said “you can be baptized and join the church and do many good works but if you miss the first base of salvation, you too, will be called out at the home plate of heaven.

The Bible describes first base in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him… .” This gift is freely offered to us by the Lord. Have you received it yet? All the other bases in life are important but if we miss first base it matters for nothing. Let me say again we’ll never make heaven if we skip salvation.

Which base are you on today?

Till Next Time, Don Johnson, Kirby Pines Chaplain