“Ye who now bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.”
During this time of joyous festivities, we also take time to remember those who have suffered from violence, those who are poor, and those who are marginalized. The story of King Herod seeking to kill the “holy innocents” reminds us that Jesus came because of the reality of the dark side of life – sin. He came to bring life, joy, and hope. Let us be a Place of Hope and a People of Promise this Christmas season.
Each Wednesday during Advent, our beloved Bishop Doug Beacham, General Superintendent of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, gives us a special message to think and pray about. This is the third in a series he has done.
This video is called Good King Wenceslas. We as Pentecostals do not come from a liturgical background and are not familiar with Good King Wenceslas. It is important to learn about him and the tradition around his life. Bishop Beacham will explain it.
May I encourage you to Click Here to see and hear this third Advent message by our Presiding Bishop Doug Beacham. You will be blessed.
[Editor's comment: I have listened several times to this third Advent message given to us by Bishop Doug Beacham. I looked up the lyrics to this song he referred to, and I would like to share those words with you:
Good King Wenceslas
John M. Neale, pub.1853
During this time of joyous festivities, we also take time to remember those who have suffered from violence, those who are poor, and those who are marginalized. The story of King Herod seeking to kill the “holy innocents” reminds us that Jesus came because of the reality of the dark side of life – sin. He came to bring life, joy, and hope. Let us be a Place of Hope and a People of Promise this Christmas season.
Each Wednesday during Advent, our beloved Bishop Doug Beacham, General Superintendent of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, gives us a special message to think and pray about. This is the third in a series he has done.
This video is called Good King Wenceslas. We as Pentecostals do not come from a liturgical background and are not familiar with Good King Wenceslas. It is important to learn about him and the tradition around his life. Bishop Beacham will explain it.
May I encourage you to Click Here to see and hear this third Advent message by our Presiding Bishop Doug Beacham. You will be blessed.
[Editor's comment: I have listened several times to this third Advent message given to us by Bishop Doug Beacham. I looked up the lyrics to this song he referred to, and I would like to share those words with you:
Good King Wenceslas
John M. Neale, pub.1853
- Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even.
Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight, gath’ring winter fuel. - “Hither, page, and stand by me, if you know it, telling,
Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?”
“Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the mountain,
Right against the forest fence, by Saint Agnes’ fountain.” - “Bring me food and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither,
You and I will see him dine, when we bear them thither.”
Page and monarch, forth they went, forth they went together,
Through the cold wind’s wild lament and the bitter weather. - “Sire, the night is darker now, and the wind blows stronger,
Fails my heart, I know not how; I can go no longer.”
“Mark my footsteps, my good page, tread now in them boldly,
You shall find the winter’s rage freeze your blood less coldly.” - In his master’s steps he trod, where the snow lay dinted;
Heat was in the very sod which the saint had printed.
Therefore, Christian men, be sure, while God’s gifts possessing,
You who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.]