Daily Devotionals by Peter Kennedy: Devotional - Glory To God Posted by Peter Kennedy on Wednesday Dec 24, 2014 under Devotions In Mark “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” – Luke 2:14 Charles Follen was a German poet and patriot, who in 1824 moved to New York City. In November 1825, he became an instructor in German at Harvard University. In 1828 he became an instructor of ethics and ecclesiastical history at Harvard Divinity School, having in the meantime been admitted as a candidate for the ministry. Charles also gave demonstrations of the new discipline of gymnastics. In 1826, at the request of a group in Boston, he established and equipped the first gymnasium there and became its superintendent. But what he is remembered today occurred in 1832. It was the first lighted Christmas tree in America. Follen, remembering the German Christmases of his youth and wishing to recreate the magic and beauty of a decorated tree for his young son, went out into the woods near his home and cut down a small fir. The tree was set in a tub and its branches hung with small dolls, gilded eggshells, and paper cornucopias filled with candied fruit. The tree was illuminated with numerous candles. Journalist Harriet Martineau described the unveiling of the tree at the Follens Christmas party: It really looked beautiful; the room seemed in a blaze, and the ornaments were so well hung on that no accident happened, except that one dolls petticoat caught fire. There was a sponge tied to the end of a stick to put out any supernumerary blaze, and no harm ensued. I mounted the steps behind the tree to see the effect of opening the doors. It was delightful. The children poured in, but in a moment every voice was hushed. Their faces were upturned to the blaze, all eyes wide open, all lips parted, all steps arrested. Today on this Christmas Day, reflect on the Glory of God and may you enjoy peace on earth. “Peace reigns where our Lord reigns.” – Julian of Norwich God’s Word: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on Davids throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” – Isaiah 9:6-7 By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2014, Devotional E-Mail DEVOTION FOR CHRISTMAS
Posted on: Thu, 25 Dec 2014 14:38:51 +0000
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