Christmas Cantata, the King

Good evening everyone, Merry Christmas once again to those of you who I've seen earlier today and a fresh Merry Christmas to the many of you who are here tonight as guests and visitors. I understand we have people from all around Pittsburgh and some even from other parts of the country and even a few who've come from overseas to be with family and friends. We're so glad you're here and I know you're going to enjoy tonight's final performance of this wonderful musical cantata called The King. I want to say I'm glad that you've come with your families and the children can enjoy this great presentation. Parents I'm going to ask you to be just real good about keeping your kids with you and being considerate of those around you. It's not a very long performance and I know that they'll enjoy the whole thing if you can sit with them and if you need to go out of course you know where the restrooms are. You know tonight in a way it's almost difficult for me to fully express to you how much this musical is meant to all who've participated in it because it's captured for all of us I think something that sometimes is missing in Christmas and that is a sense of the depths of the tradition that has come down through the ages that was founded in God's Word. You see The King is really a story about a seeker, a Jewish scholar by the name of Benjamin who was examining the scriptures because he was commanded to do so to find if this one who he heard about the Christ was really born as God had promised that he would be. In fact in the book of Matthew chapter 2 and verse 1 it reads this way. After Jesus was born in Bethlehem and Judea during the time of King Herod wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and asked where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him. And to me it's not even strange 2,000 years later that people today are still seeking and searching to know is this Jesus the one? The one that God sent to be the Messiah and the King. We present to you The King. Oh Jerusalem is in an uproar. Now if you knew my people at all you might not think that's so unusual but yesterday a group of educated men from the east came into the city searching for the Messiah and asking where is he who was born King of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him. Well they have caused no little stir and in my opinion it's not good for these rumors about the Messiah to get started. It only raises my people's hopes high only to disappoint them again. Herod heard about it and called upon a few of us ordering us to study our scriptures to ascertain the place where the King of the Jews would be born and that is why you find me here now studying the prophecies concerning the long-awaited promise. My first clue in the search for this King is that he will enter the world in an unusual way. Behold a virgin will be with child and she will bear a son and she will call him Emmanuel. Now I am a man of faith, a believer in the Word of God but I wonder how can this be? Born of a virgin and if the girl is truly pure and has never known a man who would believe her? Our law clearly states that a woman who is pregnant without being married is worthy of death. Is she afraid? Does she feel worthy to be a mother to the Son of God? She must have great courage to bear this child and then to name him Emmanuel, God with us. Be afraid the Lord is with you you have done favor with God and you shall be with child you shall call him Jesus the Son of the Highest Emmanuel and he will reign forever Son of the Highest he will be great the Son of the Highest Emmanuel and he will reign forever Son of the Highest he will be great and of his kingdom there will be no end and of his kingdom there will be no end no end the Son of the Highest Emmanuel and he will reign forever Son of the Highest he will be great he will be great and he will reign forever he will be great he will be great my heart is filled with joy how can this be that God would choose a servant girl to bring the boy and I will be the mother of God's son Lord my God how wonderful thou art to make the world and satisfy man's heart I fail to comprehend it all Almighty God how wonderful if this has truly taken place and a virgin has conceived I wonder will she raise this boy king alone is there any man in all of Israel who would love her and believe that she is a virgin and that the child within her was placed there by God himself he would not need a lot of faith to believe her he would need humility to stand by her and bear the scorn of those around them he would need wisdom to raise such a child is it too much to ask a man to be a father to the very Son of God Lord you know my love for Mary and you know the plans we've made but the news she brings confuses me Lord I am afraid it's hard sometimes to understand just what you have in store why you chose a carpenter like me to raise the Lord of Lords oh I will love Him give me faith to trust your plan I will love Him help my heart to understand I will never be ashamed though the people may condemn this child does not belong to me but I belong to Him Lord you know my abilities where I'm weak and where I'm strong though I try my very best there'll be times when I am wrong so Lord I ask for wisdom and I pray that I can be a father to your only Son that He clearly sees that I will love Him give me faith to trust your plan I will love Him help my heart to understand I will never be ashamed though the people may condemn this child does not belong to me but I belong to Him I failed to comprehend I failed to comprehend it all somehow Almighty God how wonderful our God O Lord my God O Lord, how wonderful art Thou To make the world and satisfy man's heart To comprehend it all somehow And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are not the least among the leaders of Judah, For out of you shall come forth a ruler Who will shepherd my people Israel. I was in Bethlehem myself not long ago. I was born there and had gone back to pay my taxes And be counted for the census. Although it's a mystery to me Why Caesar keeps trying to count us When the word of God clearly states That we'll be as numberless as the sand on the seashore. But anyway, I had ridden my mule From Jerusalem to Bethlehem And I was tired and hungry. I arrived to find a town Filled with loud and boisterous people. All I wanted was something to eat And a quiet place to sleep. I remember going to an inn and renting a room. And just as I was paying my money, A young couple came up behind me And asked for a room. But the innkeeper turned them away. The husband protested, saying, My wife is pregnant and needs a place to lie down. But they were too late. I walked on in, glad I had gotten there in time To get the last available room. How should a king cry? Even a child knows the answer, of course. In a coat of gold with a blue-white horse. In a beautiful city in the prime of the day. And a trumpet should cry and the crowds make way. And the clouds fly high in the morning sun And the people all cheer for the sovereign one. Everyone knows that's the way that it's done. That's the way that a king should go. How should a king cry? Even a commoner understands. He should come for his treasures and his houses and lands. He should dine upon summer strawberries and milk. And sleep upon hills of saffron and silk. And high up high up his castle should glow With the lights of the city lighting to people. Everyone knows that's the way that it's done. That's the way that a king should go. How should a king cry? How should a king cry? A story to Bethlehem wrote a weary woman. By the stone street was the shuffle and the ring of their donkey's feet. And a king lay here in a virgin's womb. There were no parts to see him roam. His throne was upon in a manger of grave. No room for the king to be born that day. Later that night, after I had eaten, I went to the stable to feed my mule. And to my surprise, the couple who had been turned away by the innkeeper earlier were there. And the woman had just given birth to a son. Now, of course, they were embarrassed at my intrusion. And I hurried to feed my mule and leave them to their privacy. When suddenly shepherds burst into the stable and nearly knocked me over. Before I could pick myself up and begin reviling them for their stupidity, they hurried over to the mother and child. Shy and awkward in their ways, they knelt before them. But it was obvious to me that they had too much to drink. And they proceeded to tell me an amazing story of how an angel had appeared to them, telling them to come to Bethlehem and search for a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And now on your knees, O hear the angel voices, O night divine, O night when Christ was born. O night divine, O night, O night divine. O night divine, O night divine. Angels we have heard high. Sing it out. Deeply singing o'er the plains. And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains. And the heav'nly angels sing. Glory to the newborn King. You can sing a little louder, okay? Come on, all of you. Glory to the newborn King. Joyful all. By the joy of God's hand. With angelic host proclaim. Christ is born in Bethlehem. Joy to the newborn King. Christ is born in Bethlehem. Joy to the newborn King. He came upon the deep plain. It's beautiful. And glorious song to touch their hearts. He's our King. A world in song was built this day. To hear the angels sing. It's so well. The angels did say. Must be certain for shepherds in his estate. He gives an aid when keeping their sheep. On a cold winter's night that was so deep. A world, a world, a world, a world. Born is the King of Israel. Hallelujah. The angels sing. Hallelujah. And the sky will cry. In the holy night. Of the King. I'm the herald angels sing. Glory to the newborn King. I'm the herald angels sing. Glory to the newborn King. Glory to the newborn King. Yeah. I started to ask the shepherds to leave the couple alone. And tell their fantastic tale to the other drunkards in the end. But the looks on the faces of the mother and father stopped me. They were not offended by the presence of these men. And they listened intently. As I think back on it now. I realize they believed the story of these common sheep herders. As they bowed before the baby boy and worshipped. Could this have been the King of the Jews? The Messiah? Born in the humblest of places. And surrounded only by lowly shepherds. Holy and holy. He was but born. As young as he was. And good as he came. Lord have mercy. A child will be born to us. A son will be given to us. And the government will rest upon his shoulders. And his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. As I read the prophecies and think back on all I saw that night in Bethlehem. My heart is filled with hope. Could it be that the child I saw in the stable that night was our Messiah? And did my eyes behold him on the very night he was born? My search has just begun. I must find out for myself. I will tell Herod that the King he seeks was born in Bethlehem. And I too will follow the wise men in search of the one whose star was seen in the heavens. Star of night. Dawn with noble beauty bright. Westward leading, still proceeding. Guide me to your good light. If I only could believe it was true. If I only could believe that Messiah had come. If I only could believe that the child born in Bethlehem was God's promised one. If only I could believe. And my heart would soar, my soul would sing. I'd last along the way to King Messiah born in Bethlehem. I promised hope to save all men. My heart would soar, my soul would sing. Could this be the long awaited King? If I only could believe that Messiah had come. If I only could believe that the child born in Bethlehem was God's promised one. If only I could believe. I failed to comprehend it all somehow. Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, God of love. Hark, the herald angels sing. Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, God of love. Hear the heralds of sin and sadness. Rime and water, cloud of rain. Healer of immortal madness. Fill us with the light of day. All thy works with joy surrounding. Heaven and earth reflect thy name. Stars and angels sing around thee. Tender arms unfurl. Field and forest, hill and mountain. Flowing meadow, flashing stream. Chanting birds and flowing fountain. Help us to rejoice in thee. Thou art healing and forgiving. Ever blessing, ever blest. Vestry of the joy of living. Ocean vest of heavenly rest. Thou our Father, Christ our brother. All who live in the Father. Friend and father of each other. Give us to the joy divine. Joyful, joyful, bright day for us. It's the morning start again. Father of this land, immortal. Brother of life, grand together. Heaven and earth glorify thee. Lift us in the face of trial. Joyful, joyful, let us adore thee. With the joyous song of life. God of glory! Who are you, little one? Magi bring you gold for a king, frankincense for God, and myrrh for mortal man. Are you a king? Are you God in the flesh? These men from the east believe that you are. They believe that the light of a star has led them to the light of the world. Oh, if you are the long-awaited promise, then the prophecies also speak of a time when you will be pierced through for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities. But you will carry our griefs and sorrows, be smitten of God and afflicted. The people bring you gifts today, but a time will come when you will be despised and forsaken of men. Shepherds and Magi will no longer bow in worship. Men will turn away from you and hide their faces. Yet, my heart beats with a new hope. Has my search for the Messiah finally come to an end? I will wait and watch, and if the prophecies are true and you are the one, then this moment in history, when God became man, will be remembered and celebrated for all time! This is the day! My God! How wonderful thou art! To make the world and let it smile and laugh! And to be found in a place of love! O mighty God! How wonderful thou art! Our God! King of kings! And Lord of lords! He shall reign forever and ever! King of kings and Lord of lords! He shall reign forever and ever! Forever and ever! Forever and ever! Alleluia! O mighty God! How wonderful thou art! Our God! Amen! I recall thinking to myself before I first saw this, well, I watched it the first time and then just come in at the end, and I found myself glued to my seat in each of the four performances, and just like you, finding it difficult to comprehend it all somehow. That little phrase jumped out of that presentation to me each time it was sung. Is this all a myth and a story that just a few lunatic Jewish followers kind of imposed upon a culture and then we have sort of innocently and naively bought 2,000 years later? Or is it the truth that Jesus Christ came as the Son of God and the Redeemer of mankind? It is an all-important question, you know. It's something that every man and woman needs to come to terms with. Because Jesus stands in the center of history and says to each one of us, you decide, who am I? He came as a child and not a king. He came as a carpenter and not a corporate executive. He lived a perfect life and got not a crown but a cross. And yet in all those things, I see Him as God's Son. Tonight, if you're a seeker like Benjamin was, a seeker who's really honestly searching to know if Christ is God's Son, I want to urge you with all my heart, pursue Him until you know. And then decide. Don't sit on the fence. There is no middle ground when it comes to Jesus Christ. You're either for Him or against Him. You either know Him or you don't. And He stands this Christmas extending His arms of love, His invitation of salvation to you, if you're courageous enough to acknowledge Him, to acknowledge your need for Him and to come to Him. Really what this church is about is a group of people who have discerned that that's what we were. People who need God. And God in His mercy reached down and touched us one by one. We're no better than anybody else. We're simply a people that have received that grace. And tonight, when we dismiss, perhaps you'd like to take a moment and talk with a friend or a relative about this Christ. Perhaps this would be a night when you'd want to make a decision. Because it does come down to your decision and your will. Shall we pray? Heavenly Father, I want to pray right now for everyone that has come to this place, whether by invitation or by accident or by design, and was caught off guard tonight because You met them, Lord. And You, by Your Spirit, have penetrated a veil of hardness. Lord, You have dismantled something of the mental barricade that's been erected against the deity of Jesus Christ. And Lord, even right now, I know that You're speaking to lives. And I pray, Father, that men and women here tonight, and even children, would have the gift of faith to receive what they don't understand. To acknowledge their need for You. And to become a believer in Jesus Christ. To will from this day to trust You. For their eternal salvation. And for this life. And the plan that You have for them. Lord, I thank You and praise You. In Jesus' name. Amen. And I want to say tonight a special thanks to Henry Yoder and Gary Moore, who've worked so diligently back in the back to cause all of this to get to You in such a powerful way. I want to thank Dennis Tiedemann for his many hours out in the parking lot, almost single-handedly helping to get you in here. I want to thank you, choir and orchestra, because as I was listening this last time, I was reminded about one Greek word that really, I believe, is a word for our church. It's a word we don't hear enough of. It's the word harmony. You exemplified for us what it means to have harmony. And those of you who are members and long-time attenders of this church, wouldn't it be wonderful if all of our gifts, our serving gifts, our teaching gifts, our gifts of hospitality and healing and care and concern, if they could all be blended together like these voices and these musical skills as an expression of God's love to the culture around us. I believe that's what God wants of us in this year ahead. And I'm going to remember tonight as a model of what God wants to do with our whole church in 1992. And I invite you all to join me in that. I believe it will be very powerful. And I want to thank David Michael Ed for, in such a short time, pulling us together and inspiring us to greater heights in worshiping Jesus. It's been a great blessing. This has been a gift to you. We're not going to take an offering tonight, but some people may want to know, what can I do? And if you'd like to leave something in the offering boxes in the back, you're welcome to do that. Anything you give tonight will go toward our world mission efforts. We want to give what God's given to us. It's the least that we can do. Would you stand with me? And let's pray. And now, Lord, we thank you that it's not even yet Christmas Day, and yet we sense Jesus alive in our hearts. Lord, we look forward again to assembling in the presence of your spirit and your people and worshiping with liberty and joy because of what you've done in us. Lord, we fail to comprehend it somehow, but how mighty and wonderful you are. Thank you for sending us Jesus. And everyone said amen. You're going to see the door open just now, I'll trust. We invite you to come and join with us for just a time of sort of celebrating. You can give your thanks to the choir and orchestra and to those who've led us tonight. I want to invite you back on Christmas Eve at 5, 7, and 9 p.m. as we have another time of celebrating more wonderful music and a time of coming to God's word and celebrating Christmas. And from me to all of you, Merry, Merry Christmas. God bless you.