Have you ever thought about the world after you are dead? Have you ever thought about the possibility that your actions, your words, your efforts will inspire someone or something to endure for future generations? Have you ever heard the story behind the Christmas hymn Silent Night?
In 1818, a church in the Austrian Alps had to perform their Christmas drama on December 23rd at a private home because their organ wasn't working. On his way home, the assistant pastor, Josef Mohr, found himself on a path that took him up on a hill overlooking the village. While he was standing there gazing at the town he began to think about the Christmas drama and a poem he had wrriten about Christ's birth. He decided the poem would make a great carol for his congreation the next night at their Christmas Eve service. The next day he went to see the church organist, Franz Xaver Gruber. Gruber managed to come up with a melody to match the poem. Gruber and Mohr performed the carol at the Christmas Eve service using a guitar. Nearly 50 years later the song was translated into the English language.
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I wonder if Mohr had any idea that his poem, his idea, his song would touch as many lives as it has? I wonder if he even fathomed that his song would be sung for many generations after him by millions of people? He simply used his talent to be a missonary.
"..for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments." Exodus 20:5-6
Many times we think of missonaries as being people in far away lands but that is not always the case. The life we live everyday is a misson field. Mothers have been called to be missionaries to their children. Wives have been called to be missionaries to their husbands. Employees have been called to be missionaries to their co-workers. We are all missionaries. We are all writing a song to be sung by future generations. What song are you writing?
"..for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments." Exodus 20:5-6
Many times we think of missonaries as being people in far away lands but that is not always the case. The life we live everyday is a misson field. Mothers have been called to be missionaries to their children. Wives have been called to be missionaries to their husbands. Employees have been called to be missionaries to their co-workers. We are all missionaries. We are all writing a song to be sung by future generations. What song are you writing?
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