If I can paraphrase him... Thanksgiving, like Christmas and Easter, in many churches, are lame celebrations... "much like waterdowned punch at a church social gathering."
He quotes Nehemiah 12:
During the dedication of the new wall of Jerusalem, the Levites thoughout the land were asked to come to Jerusalem to assist in the ceremonies. They were to take part in the joyous occassion with their songs of thanksgiving and with the music of symbols, lyres and harps. The singers were brought together from Jerusalem and its surrounding villiages and from the villages of the Netophanthites. They also came from Beth-gilgal and the are of Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built their own villiages around Jerusalem. The priests and Levites first dedicated themselves, then the people, the gates and the wall. I led the leaders of Judah to the top of the wall and organized two large choirs to give thanks.... Many sacrifices were offered on that joyous day, for God had given the people cause for great joy. The women and children also particpated in the celebration, and the joy of the people of Jerusalem could be heard far away.Then Alvin says:
Imagine: two choirs, sooo many musicians that they had to set up their own villages, the joy of thanksgiving noise heard 'far away'. If that isn't a witness to the seeker I am not sure what would be.
I live in a small village, in a time when electric guitars & stacks, thunderous PA systems and monster drum kits prevail the culture. I have lived here seventeen years and never ever have heard any external audible thanksgiving from any of the four churches that exist in this tiny town. I would love to see the day when the stain glass is shattered by the shear volume of praise and to see Adjustor picking up the pieces the next day!
By the way my house windows are down and I don't live in a bunker!
Alvin the Belmonite - Advocate for extreme worship!
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