December 10, 2020
A Pastoral Word. . .
Pastor Mark Adams
December 10, 2020

I confess, I am a big James Taylor fan. I especially love his version of an old beautiful Christmas song: “In the Bleak Midwinter.” Click Here if you want to give a listen.
The song is based on a poem written way back in 1872 by Christina Rossetti and there’s a fascinating story behind this beloved Christmas carol.
Rossetti was a devoted follower of Christ who for many years volunteered at the St. Mary Magdalene “house of charity,” a refuge for women coming out of a life of prostitution. In the Victorian Era of her day, economic forces often caused women to eke out a living by selling their bodies. Some of the “women” were only twelve years old.
Rossetti’s efforts in offering Christ and helping find better jobs for these marginalized women came through in some of her poems. For instance, this Christmas carol pictures a Savior who entered our world of suffering and brokenness—a world much like “the bleak mid-winter” of Rossetti’s native England. “Heaven cannot hold … nor earth sustain” Jesus, and yet “a stable-place” and “a manger full of hay” sufficed for Him.
In light of Christ’s great power and love, Rossetti’s poem asks:
“What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?”
This question would have weighed heavily on women struggling to come out of a life of prostitution. With their broken lives, what could they possibly give to Jesus, especially since “Heaven cannot hold Him?”
According to Rossetti’s poem, there is one thing that all of us can give Christ—no matter who we are. She wrote:
“If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.”
Regardless of our tainted past or our present struggles, there is one gift that Christ wants more than anything—our hearts. I challenge you to look for opportunities to share this message during Advent. Ask God to open doors for you to share His amazing grace.
Keep the SON in your eyes!
Mark
The song is based on a poem written way back in 1872 by Christina Rossetti and there’s a fascinating story behind this beloved Christmas carol.
Rossetti was a devoted follower of Christ who for many years volunteered at the St. Mary Magdalene “house of charity,” a refuge for women coming out of a life of prostitution. In the Victorian Era of her day, economic forces often caused women to eke out a living by selling their bodies. Some of the “women” were only twelve years old.
Rossetti’s efforts in offering Christ and helping find better jobs for these marginalized women came through in some of her poems. For instance, this Christmas carol pictures a Savior who entered our world of suffering and brokenness—a world much like “the bleak mid-winter” of Rossetti’s native England. “Heaven cannot hold … nor earth sustain” Jesus, and yet “a stable-place” and “a manger full of hay” sufficed for Him.
In light of Christ’s great power and love, Rossetti’s poem asks:
“What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?”
This question would have weighed heavily on women struggling to come out of a life of prostitution. With their broken lives, what could they possibly give to Jesus, especially since “Heaven cannot hold Him?”
According to Rossetti’s poem, there is one thing that all of us can give Christ—no matter who we are. She wrote:
“If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.”
Regardless of our tainted past or our present struggles, there is one gift that Christ wants more than anything—our hearts. I challenge you to look for opportunities to share this message during Advent. Ask God to open doors for you to share His amazing grace.
Keep the SON in your eyes!
Mark
Posted in A Pastoral Word
Related Posts
Recent
Archive
2021
2020
January
February
March
Grace Groups Training LuncheonYouth Groups, Mar. 15Parent-Youth Night, Mar. 15Parent Conversation Cheat SheetRedland Baptist Online ChurchHow to Access the Virtual SanctuaryDON'T PANIC!, Do The Right Thing In These Troubled TimesDon't Let Your Fears Keep You From God's MissionYouth Groups, Mar. 22Lent During COVID-19Faith ConversationsGetting in Our Steps While Keeping in Step With GodMarch 20, 2020RYM NewsWhat was it like to be on a mission trip with Paul?Quarantine Challenge BingoWeek of Prayer Day 1Easter Offering for NAMB Week of PrayerBe Encouraged in HeartWeek of Prayer Day 2Youth Groups, Mar. 29Week of Prayer Day 3Choose JoyRunning the RaceWeek of Prayer Day 4Week of Prayer Day 5New Time! Online Church Sunday, March 29, 2020Week of Prayer Day 6Week of Prayer Day 7Worship by Faith and Not by Sight! (Part 1)Tom Hanks, Twins, and Social Isolation: What We All Have In CommonWeek of Prayer Day 8
April
The Work of WaitingYouth Groups, Apr. 5Worried? Remember the Chain of CommandApril 2, 2020Worship by Faith and Not by Sight (Part 2)Holy Week and Easter InviteYouth Fuel OnlineHow Majestic is Your NameA Wasted LifeBe PreparedWhat Jesus Wants Us to Know Most of AllGood FridayYouth Online ZoomIt’s Not What You Know But Who You Know!Actively WaitingIt\'s Your Birthday!April 16, 2020The Fellowship of the BelieversRYM Youth Night LIveYouth Bible readings for week of April 19Learning from Biblical Characters During Stressful Times - Day 1Learning from Biblical Characters During Stressful Times - Day 2Learning from Biblical Characters During Stressful Times - Day 3Scavenger Hunt ChallengeLearning from Biblical Characters During Stressful Times - Day 4Psalm 62Youth Bible Reading for Week of April 262020 GraduatesPsalm 88Psalm 55Crossings Summer Camp CancellationApril 30, 2020New Women\'s ONLINE Study on RuthPsalm 22
May
test post with scheduled date pastHymns of the Faith: Standing on the PromisesHymns of the Faith: It Is Well with My SoulHymns of the Faith: I Must Tell JesusHymns of the Faith: A Mighty Fortress Is Our GodFruit of the Spirit: Joy!Fruit of the Spirit: Self-ControlScavenger Hunt Challenge - Results!Fruit of the Spirit: FaithfulnessMay 14, 2020Fruit of the Spirit: PeaceStories that Changed the World: The Parables of Jesus Day 120 At-Home Family Boredom BustersStories that Changed the World: The Parables of Jesus Day 2Stories that Changed the World: The Parables of Jesus Day 3Youth Tee ShirtsStories that Changed the World: The Parables of Jesus Day 4Redland Sanctuary Windows: The Life of Christ in Stained Glass - Day 1Redland Sanctuary Windows: The Life of Christ in Stained Glass - Day 2Redland Sanctuary Windows: The Life of Christ in Stained Glass - Day 3Redland Sanctuary Windows: The Life of Christ in Stained Glass - Day 4May 28, 2020
June
Our Distinctiveness as a Church - Day 1Freebie Book DrawingOur Distinctiveness as a Church - Day 2Our Distinctiveness as a Church - Day 3A Statement from the BCMDOur Distinctiveness as a Church - Day 4Make Us One - A Conversation Among FriendsLament about Racism - Day 1Lament about Racism - Day 2Lament about Racism - Day 3June 11 2020Lament about Racism - Day 4How to Communicate Love - Day 1How to Communicate Love - Day 2How to Communicate Love - Day 3How to Communicate Love - Day 4Family House Party, Teen EditionFamily House Party, Kids EditionGodly Principles We Learned from Our Dads - Day 1Godly Principles We Learned from Our Dads - Day 2Godly Principles We Learned from Our Dads - Day 3June 25, 2020Godly Principles We Learned from Our Dads - Day 4Stars and Stripes Forever: A Higher Calling
July
The Bell, The Flag, and The HymnalThe Church AppContemporary Faith Heroes - George MuellerContemporary Faith Heroes - Harriet TubmanJuly 9, 2020Contemporary Faith Heroes - William BoothFaith Conversations Marble MovingContemporary Faith Heroes - John StewartYouth gathering, July 19Contemporary Faith Heroes - C. S. LewisJuly 23, 2020Contemporary Faith Heroes - Gardner C. TaylorComplete the youth fall programming surveySunday Youth Study on Zoom AND In-person!Contemporary Faith Heroes - George Washington CarverContemporary Faith Heroes - Rachel Saint
August
September
October
November
December
Christmas Offering Week of Prayer Day 2Christmas Offering Week of Prayer Day 3Christmas Offering Week of Prayer Day 4December 10, 2020Christmas Offering Week of Prayer Day 5Youth - Escape the North Pole, Dec 27Please Disregard this Debug PostChristmas Offering Week of Prayer Day 6Christmas Offering Week of Prayer Day 7Christmas Offering Week of Prayer Day 8December 31, 2020
2019
January
February
March
April
July
August
September
October
November
December
A Night of Carols!Youth Christian Basketball Association LeagueWomen's Ministry Christmas Cookie ExchangeYouth groups, 12/8Upward Sports - Basketball and CheerYouth Christmas Party, Dec. 8Christmas Eve ServiceYouth Groups, Dec. 15ROC Kitchen Volunteer TrainingYouth Groups, Dec. 22Youth Groups, Jan. 552 Verses - January