BRANCHES December 2013

BRANCHES 

five questions with 

ginny owens 

ask a pastor: was 

jesus really born on 

december 25th? 

LONGING, 

WAITING, 

& HOPING 

prophecies 

of the coming 

messiah 

DECEMBER 2013 | southwood.org

SOUTHWOOD 

contents 

2 

about this issue 

3 

pastor’s note 

ABOUT THIS ISSUE 

8 

REFLECT 

longing, waiting & hoping 

Prophecies of a Coming Messiah 

˜ 

The Advent season brings to mind many familiar things: candles and 

greenery, parties and wassail, cookies and milk. Advent literally means 

“coming,” and we can’t wait! The anticipation for kids and adults alike is 

growing, even if we know how tired of it all we may be in just a few weeks. 

14 

westminster divines 

Questions & answers taken from the 

Westminster Larger Catechesim 

RESPOND 

As we redirect this excitement towards the “reason for the season,” join 

us in changing perspective for a bit. In this issue of BRANCHES, we’ll 

be reflecting on the ancient longing for the coming Messiah. Getting a 

better picture of Christ’s first coming helps us to anticipate his second. 

In Revelation 4:8, we are told of the heavenly creatures who exclaim, 

“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” 

From people millennia ago to the assemblies in the throne room of God, 

the anticipation of the Messiah’s coming is unparalleled. So as you enjoy 

family and winter celebrations, don’t forget what we’re waiting for! 

6 

12 

17 

question of the month 

What is your favorite Christmas 

movie? 

5 questions 

Ginny Owens answers questions 

about worship & Christmas 

ask a pastor 

Jean Larroux answers questions 

about Christmas traditions 

RELATE 

4 

5 

southwood by the numbers 

session update 

Jonathan Barnette, Editor 

5 

from the kitchen 

Stephanie Pearson's Christmas 

sugar cookie recipe 

7 

family advent activity 

Make Jesse tree ornaments as a family 

Christmas devotional 


EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jonathan Barnette 

DESIGNER Jacki Gil 

CONTRIBUTORS 

Will Spink 

Stephanie Pearson 

Sarah Niemitz 

Chad Townsley 

James Parker 

Ginny Owens 

Niña Banta 

PHOTOS 

Jonathan Barnette 

Jacki Gil 

FEEDBACK! 

We want to hear from you! Please send 

your suggestions and comments to 

branches@southwood.org 

1000 CARL T. JONES DRIVE | HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA 35802 

(256) 882-3085 | WWW.SOUTHWOOD.ORG 

JEAN F. LARROUX, III Senior Pastor 

MELISSA PATTERSON Executive Assistant 

ADULT MINISTRIES 

SARAH NIEMITZ Director of Community Development/Assimilation 

JAMES PARKER Chief Musician 

WILL SPINK Associate Pastor/Shepherding 

STUDENT MINISTRIES 

KIM DELCHAMPS Administrative Assistant 

NINA BANTA Director of Children 

NANCY McCREIGHT Assistant Director /Children/Nursery 

CHAD TOWNSLEY Associate Pastor/High-Life 

WINNIE WINFORD Assistant Director/High-Life 

MINISTRY SUPPORT 

PAT TRAPANE Bookkeeper 

JONATHAN BARNETTE Director of Communication 

JACKI GIL Graphic Designer 

JANICE CROWSON Director of Facilities/Finance 

LYNDA CLAYDON Facilities 

MIKE MARREN Facilities 

ELIZABETH BUTZ Receptionist 

13 

16 

18 

19 

far as the curse is found 

How the curse of man was broken 

at Christmas 

o come, o come emmanuel 

A hymn teaches us about the eternal 

reality of the church 

welcome to southwood 

A picture of the new members of 

Southwood 

all that is fair 

James Parker's Top 5 + 1 

Christmas albums 

UPCOMING 

EVENTS 

December 8 

Last High-Life 


Fa-La-Lodge 


Christmas Eve Services 

5:30pm & 7:30pm 

Express Grace 

January 19th 

2 DECEMBER 2013 | SOUTHWOOD.ORG

PASTOR’S NOTE 

'Twas the Night (at church)before Christmas 

Twas’ the Night before Christmas 

and all through the church, 

Many creatures were stirring, 

decorations were perched 

Upon every window; 

for the eyes such a treat— 

In the hopes that we’re early 

and still get a seat! 

On the outside we’re smiling, 

but inside we’re tired, 

More candy for children means 

children more wired. 

So we sink in the pew 

only one hour to wait, 

til’ we get to go home 

and Santa await!! 

But the sermon dragged on 

and the preacher was boring; 

Uncle Buddy came with us, 

but now he is snoring. 

Then came communion 

and then came the candles, 

To the most pious of children 

this seemed quite a scandal! 

Church every week 

and now church tonight? 

I want presents and candy 

and toys for delight 

Ma, grabbed her kerchief 

and sobbed all alone 

My kid is online, 

he’s using my phone! 

Ash and switch I deserve, 

with coal in my stocking 

The Christmas I wanted 

this whole scene is mocking! 

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer & Vixen; 

Comet, Cupid, Donner & Blitzen— 

I just can’t seem to recall; 

why we even came here at all! 

Then what to my wondering 

eyes did appear, 

The reason for Christmas 

did I finally hear— 

Not presents or candy 

or kids well-behaved, 

But God intervening 

in a God kind of way! 

No list would He check; 

not once or not twice— 

Not about being "naughty" 

or trying to be "nice" 

It depended on Christmas 

to make all men right, 

There was nothing I could do 

even on Christmas Eve night! 

Then up in my heart 

there arose such a clatter, 

That it seemed to me 

then that nothing else mattered! 

The lights and the tinsel 

and the gifts by the tree, 

Paled in relation to knowing 

that I’d been set free! 

Not said just like this 

in Scripture I know; 

But the truth is reflected 

in the words just below: 

“with a wink of his eye 

and a twist of his head, 

Soon gave me to know 

I had nothing to dread;” 1 

With God as my Father 

and Christ by my side 

Condemnation condemned 

and the Spirit supplied. 

The adoption complete, 

I’m loved as a son, 

The race is finished for me; 

even before I’ve begun! 

I’ve no sleigh to take home; 

so I got in the van. 

Knowing Christmas for me 

meant that God became man. 

He did it for me! 

I’m now righteous in His sight. 

Merry Christmas to all 

who by Faith are made right! 

written by Jean F. Larroux, III 

1 

Excerpt taken from "Account of a visit from 

St. Nicholas" by Major Henry Livingston 

For more from Jean, check out 

his sermons at southwood.org 

jean.larroux@southwood.org 

@jflarrouxiii 

DECEMBER 2013 | SOUTHWOOD.ORG 3

southwood by the numbers 

This month we counted up all the Christmas decorations around the main building. 

291 

Ornaments on trees including the Chrismon 

symbols. Grab a hand out to find out the 

meaning behind all of these different shapes. 

eighteen 

Wreaths hung on doors and 

walls inside and outside of 

the church. 

nine 

Christmas trees ranging in 

height from two to sixteen feet 

two 

Baby Jesus 

figurines 

in Nativity 

Scenes. 

3,744 

Inches of ribbon on wreaths, 

mantels and tied up in bows. 

1125 

Feet of miniature 

lights inside the 

building. 


elate 

SOUTHWOOD 

SESSION UPDATE WILL SPINK 

The Session was asked by the Board of Deacons to give input 

on an updated Facility Use Policy. With thanksgiving for the 

hard work of the Deacons and the Finance Committee the 

Session encouraged the Deacons to adopt and implement the 

policy in order to provide for good stewardship, cost-neutral 

events with appropriate and helpful guidelines for the care 

and upkeep of the facility. The policy covers everything from 

large events like weddings to smaller gatherings and was 

subsequently approved by the Board of Deacons who in turn 

gave implementation responsibilities to the church staff. 

The Session also rejoices with two of our members who are 

headed to the foreign mission field: Katherine Spearing 

(recently arrived in Mexico) and Justin Huston (anticipating a 

January departure for South Sudan). Please join us in praying 

for these two as they take the gospel of grace around the 

world. 

Finally, the Session has had the pleasure of meeting with 

about 30 new members in recent weeks. What a joy it is to 

hear of how God is working in people’s lives, calling them to 

himself, and bringing them to Southwood to experience and 

express grace alongside us! We encourage you to meet these 

new members, hear their stories of God’s goodness in their 

lives, and help them get connected to the people of God at 

Southwood through connecting with you. 

Christmas Cookies 

From Stephanie Pearson 

1 cup butter 

1 cup sugar 

1 egg 

1tsp vanilla 

2tbs baking powder 

3 cups f lour 

Cream sugar and butter. Add egg and 

vanilla, mix well! Add powder and flour 

and combine. (Do not chill.) Roll dough to 

desired thickness and cut desired shapes. 

Bake at 350 degress for 10-15 minutes 

(depending on thickness of cookie). Place 

on wire rack to cool. Top with your 

favorite royal icing or buttercream icing 

and sprinkles. 


SOUTHWOOD 

respond 


Question of the Month 

What is your favorite 

Christmas movie? 

1 2 

Southwood has a wide range of favorite Christmas 

movies, from classics to Veggie Tales Christmas. This 

is the top ten list for favorite Christmas movies at 

Southwood, and the handful of other favorite movies. 

1. It's A Wonderful Life 

2. Elf 

3. A Christmas Story 

4. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 

5. Home Alone 

6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas 

7. White Christmas 

8. The Bishop's Wife 

9. Charlie Brown Christmas 

10. Die Hard 

3 4 

5 6 

Other favorites: Gremlins, Love Actually, 

Larry & Bob Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street, 

Scrooged, A Christmas Carol, Holiday Inn, The Santa 

Clause, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, Jingle All 

the Way, Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas, 

The Very First Noel, Big, Muppet Christmas Carol, 

Polar Express, A Dog Named Christmas, The Night 

They Saved Christmas, Mickey's Once Upon A 

Christmas, The Christmas Box & The Sound of Music 

7 8 

6 DECEMBER 2013 | SOUTHWOOD.ORG 

9 10

elate 

SOUTHWOOD 

FAMILY ADVENT ACTIVITY 

It's so easy to get wrapped up in the commercialism and busyness 

of this time of year that we forget to take the time to share in the 

joy of the Advent season with our families. Its a wonderful time to 

create a new family tradition, one that can allow you to pause and 

ponder the mystery of our coming Messiah. 

A Jesse Tree is a fun way to count down the days to Christmas! 

Beginning in Genesis walking you through Jesus’ lineage, Jesse 

Tree ornaments are simple to make together as a family. Each 

person in Jesus’ lineage has a symbol and scripture associated 

with it to allow a short devotional time and discussion. Beginning 

NIÑA BANTA 

on December 1st use these twenty-four ornaments and scripture 

to help focus your minds and hearts towards Christ. Follow these 

simple instructions for a fun family tradition. 

Draw the symbol on paper. Color in or get creative using other mediums. 

Have fun decorating them! Attach to a card stock or heavy 

weight paper circle. Punch hole at top, run ribbon through and tie a 

bow. Write the scripture reference and person on the back of your 

ornament as a reminder. No matter how you choose to celebrate 

this Advent season, make it a family affair and build memories that 

will last a lifetime. 


LONGING 

WAITING 

& HOPING 

Prophecies of the Coming Messiah 

by Chad Townsley & Will Spink 

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from 

your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—just as you desired of the Lord your God at Horeb on the 

day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God or see 

this great fire any more, lest I die.’ And the Lord said to me, ‘They are right in what they have 

spoken. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. 

And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. 

The promise to the readers of Deuteronomy 18 is that a prophet 

would arise from them to be their guide and teacher and to be 

a perfect representative of God the Father. This passage, as it 

anticipates the great prophet, teaches us that Christ comes to 

explicitly express God’s will as well as revealing that he is the 

fulfillment and final prophet which Moses (and all other prophets 

after him) could not be. At Advent, it is important that we realize 

Christ's perfect understanding and desire to fulfill the will of God. 

Seen fully on the cross, Jesus’ sacrifice was a clear expression 

that his will was that of the Father’s. He desired that God’s law, 

Deuteronomy 18:15-18 

love and character be made known to all who would believe in him. 

Hebrews 3 tells us that though Moses was a faithful leader of God’s 

people, there was one who was greater than Moses, one who was the 

prophet that Moses could not be. Hebrews also describes Jesus as 

“faithful over God’s house as a son.” (Hebrews 3:6). The son born at 

Christmas brings the faithful watch and care that we need as God’s 

people. Just as God’s people listen to and honor the words of Moses, 

how much more should be honor and cherish the great prophet who 

comes as Christmas? 

• What does it mean to you that Jesus is the great prophet and why is this significant? 

• What sorts of things from your life are you thankful God has faithfully watched over this year? 

• In what ways do you struggle to trust and follow Jesus as the final prophet? What does 

the gospel of God’s grace and the promise from Deuteronomy offer you in this struggle? 


Advent, which literally means, “arrival” has become a much used word of the holiday season. Amongst well wishes of 

“Merry Christmas” and “Season’s Greeting” and with family gift giving, Christmas parties and year end tax gifts, we intermingle 

the thought of advent with little consideration of what it truly means for Christ to arrive as our Savior and Messiah. 

The following Advent scripture readings and supporting commentaries will hopefully aid you and your family as you consider 

some specific application of the theological truths which drive the Christmas season. Each portion of this article focuses 

on an Old Testament passage and its hope and promise of the Messiah. It is important for us to feel the same emotions of 

hope and expectation as the Old Testament audience. It is then, as one author writes, that “we will sense immediately that 

Advent marks something momentous: God’s coming into our midst. This coming is not just something that happened in 

the past. It is a recurring possibility here and now....Thus Advent is not merely a commemorative event or anniversary, but 

a yearly opportunity for us to consider the future, second Advent —the promised coming of God’s kingdom.” 1 Our hearts 

are set on this truth—that God has been pointing toward the Savior whom arrived at Christmas for a long, long time and he 

promises to come again. Our hearts should rejoice in a similar way as Mary and Joseph’s did that night. After all, we know 

the whole story. We know the significance that baby would end up making and the years of promises which he would fulfill 

now and forevermore. This is the joy of Advent! 

1 

Editors, Watch for the Light, Readings for Advent and Christmas. Pg. xv 

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! 

Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! 

Behold, your king is coming to you; 

righteous and having salvation is he, 

humble and mounted on a donkey, 

on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 

KING Zechariah 9:9 

One of the clearest pictures the Old Testament uses to describe 

the coming messiah is that of a king. The image depicted here 

by Zechariah clearly foreshadows the scene of Christ’s triumphal 

entry into Jerusalem in Matthew 21 and John 12. The triumphal 

entry is strikingly different from other kingly entries, as Christ 

chose to enter on a donkey, instead of a horse. This distinction 

marks the method of Christ's kingship—that he is a king who 

brings peace. Likewise, unlike other kings of Jesus' day and 

unlike those of the lineage of Israel, Christ is ushered into the 

world as the one true and righteous king. Instead of riding on 

the customary war horse a sinful king would mount, Jesus arrives 

as a king on a humble and submissive donkey to accomplish a 

humble and submissive mission. 

At Christmas, we celebrate and rejoice that we have been given 

a king who brings strength, power, perfect holiness, perfect 

justice and peace and final justification between God and his 

people. This king is one who will submit to the will of his father, 

to bring restoration and hope. This king comes not to take the 

lives of others, but to give his very own life as a sacrifice for many. 

Conversely, Revelation 19:11-16 describes the second advent 

of Jesus who will then come riding a war horse to conquer the 

final enemy of God and his people—death itself. At Christmas 

we celebrate the inauguration of Christ’s mission which will be 

completed upon his final return. Our King is and will continue to 

be victorious! 

• What does it mean to have a perfect king? 

• What is the significance of Jesus as a righteous king, dying for unrighteous people? 

• What are the implications of Jesus' pending return to defeat the final enemy of death? What 

hope does this offer us now, at Christmas? 


Ezekiel depicts for God’s people, a picture of restoration and 

hope which he promises will come through King David. This 

passage serves as a prophecy and promise of Jesus as he comes 

from the Davidic line and kingly reign of David. Similar to and 

even more so than the reign of David, Jesus comes at Christmas 

as the great shepherd, who calls his people to repentance and 

obedience. (37:24) Jesus promises a new land where his people 

will dwell together with God the Father. (v. 25) In addition, 

Jesus will be the final and perfect fulfillment of the covenant of 

peace God promises in Ezekiel. (v. 26) In and through Jesus, it 

is promised that we will have full access to God the Father, with 

perfect atonement being made for our sins. Jesus’ birth and life 

will be a testimony to the world of our loving and heavenly Father 

whom dwells intimately with his people. (vv. 27-28) 

Unlike the flawed leadership of a king like David, Jesus comes 

at Christmas to once and for all lead his people with perfection. 

Moreover, Jesus offers the cleansing and atoning power of his blood 

to purify his people decisively and definitively. Colossians 1:22 tells 

us that Jesus has reconciled us to God by the sacrifice of flesh, “in 

order to present us holy and blameless and above reproach before 

him.” What amazing news at Christmas—that this little baby which 

entered the world through ordinary means would accomplish such an 

extraordinary task on behalf of God’s people. 


SHEPHERD 

My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall 

all have one shepherd. They shall walk in my rules 

and be careful to obey my statutes. They shall dwell in the land 

that I gave to my servant Jacob, where your fathers lived. They 

and their children and their children's children 

shall dwell there forever, and David my servant shall be 

their prince forever. I will make a covenant of peace with them. It 

shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will set them 

in their land and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in their 

midst forevermore. My dwelling place shall be with them, and 

I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Then 

the nations will know that I am the Lord who sanctifies Israel, 

when my sanctuary is in their midst forevermore. 

Ezekiel 37:24-28 

• Ezekiel promises hope and restoration 

in this passage. What does it mean for us 

to celebrate and hope for the same thing 

at Christmas? 

• What are some situations in your life and 

in the world that you can specifically ask 

for restoration in this Christmas season? 

• What are some other “extraordinary” 

things Jesus did in his ministry to love, 

serve and sacrifice for his people?

SOUTHWOOD 

The people walking in 

darkness have seen a great 

light; on those living in the 

land of deep darkness a light 

has dawned. You have enlarged 

the nation and increased 

their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors 

rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have 

shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their 

oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood 

will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 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 greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He 

will reign on David’s throneand 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. 

Do you know what it feels like to walk around in complete darkness 

—unsure of where you’re going, not knowing if you’re doing any 

better or if your situation is improving, rapidly seeing hope fade 

and despair increase? God’s people did. They were exiled from the 

Promised Land, under foreign oppression, struggling with “deep 

darkness” practically and emotionally. Was there any hope? Would 

God be faithful? Did he even still care about them? 

Maybe you’ve been there, too. Maybe you’re there right now. Life 

isn’t working out; nothing seems to get better; your joy is fading, 

and your hope is waning. Isaiah tells God’s people that it’s in that 

context that God shines his light. It’s in those moments of despair 

that the story of Christmas brings hope. It’s people like those exiles 

(and like you and me) that the promise of a child King allows to 

rejoice again… finally. 

Isaiah 9:2-7 

Imagine wandering around lost in the woods in total darkness, 

near despair. Suddenly a flashlight beam from your campsite 

illuminates the path to safety. Imagine the relief you feel, the 

hope that replaces despair, the joy that replaces the sorrow. 

In Jesus, the child born to us, God himself enters the darkness, 

our darkness, with his light. He is “zealous” to set right what is 

wrong, to bring a rule marked by “justice and righteousness,” 

to “increase our joy.” Do you need counsel? Strength? Love? 

Peace? The baby in the manger comes into your darkness 

as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, 

Prince of Peace! 

• Where do you see or feel darkness in your own heart and life? Challenging circumstances? 

Discouraging relationships? Prevailing sin? 

• Where do you see or feel darkness in the people and community around you? Who is lonely 

or downcast? What group is oppressed or marginalized? What place seems hopeless? 

• What would it look like for you to allow Jesus to be the light in the darkness you see in your 

own life or in the world around you?

SOUTHWOOD 

respond 

What is your favorite Advent hymn, or 

song, and why is it significant to you? 

My favorite advent hymn is "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." 

As a child, I was drawn to this hymn because of its hauntingly 

beautiful melody. As an adult, I'm still moved by the music, 

but also the poignant lyrics. When I hear or sing it, I think 

about the dark days the Old Testament Jews faced enslaved 

in Egypt, then wandering in the desert for forty years on 

their way to Canaan, and eventually exiled from their 

beloved Promised Land. I imagine how many times they 

cried out individually and collectively for 

the Lord to bring change and send One 

who could rescue them once and for all. 

Isaiah's prophecy of an Emmanuel child 

who would become their king must have 

seemed like it would never be fulfilled. 

But we know the good news that indeed 

it was! Today our cry is not so different 

from that of the Israelites. We anxiously 

await the return of our Emmanuel who will 

rescue us from a broken world. I love the 

words of the refrain: "Rejoice! Rejoice! 

Emmanuel / Shall come to thee, O Israel." 

What wonderful news! 

What is your favorite aspect 

of songwriting? 

I like to say that my songs are my journal entries and the 

conversations I'm not articulate enough to have face to face. 

When I am moved, inspired, hurt, or desperate to share a 

truth or offer hope, I do it best in a song. Crafting lyrics that 

communicate what is going on in my heart is my favorite 

aspect of the songwriting process. It is undoubtedly the most 

challenging aspect as well. Melodies come easily enough, but 

creating concise, poetic lyrics out of the noise in my brain takes 

days, weeks, sometimes even years. The most gratifying part of 

the process comes after the laboring and wrestling, when I am 

able to share a song that expresses exactly what I had in mind. 

What do you want for Christmas? 

Do you think you'll get it? 

Let's see...a laundry fairy, a husband, revival in the American 

church, rest in the Middle East, and an Amazon gift card. Not 

sure whether I'll get any of these things, but that's ok. The Lord 

is always good to me! It's Christmas all the time around here! 

WHO IS GINNY OWENS 

AND WHY ASK HER? 

Virginia "Ginny" Leigh Owens is a 

blind Contemporary Christian music 

singer/songwriter. Owens had three 

albums chart on Billboard albums 

charts in the late 1990s and 2000s. 

She is best known for the song "If You 

Want Me To." 


? 

FIVE 

questions 

Singer/songwriter Ginny 

Owens on worship in the 

modern church. 

What is your perspective, either positive or 

negative, on how the modern evangelical 

church approaches corporate worship? 

As someone who leads worship at churches around the country 

and at my home church, I understand the need for both 

contemporary praise music and hymns. I would even go as 

far as to say that I don't think every song has to say something 

deep. (Horrors! Don't tell my Grandmother!) I have learned the 

power of simple, singable praise choruses. And if a 5-year-old 

and a 55-year old can both grasp a truth because it is framed 

in a simple, singable song, this, in 

my mind, is a good thing. My bigger 

concern with corporate worship is the 

seeming lack of reverence. I find myself 

in many churches where worship feels 

like more of a spectator sport than a 

corporate experience. Folks sip their 

coffee as they enjoy (or critique) the 

band and the singers onstage. In my 

mind, the optimal corporate worship 

experience would be one where 

hymns and contemporary songs are 

used together with Scriptures which 

elaborate on the themes of the songs. 

And most importantly, the musicians on 

stage would be there to facilitate worship, but not to perform 

it. One of the most beautiful parts of worship for me is when 

I can hear the voices of those around me as we sing and 

pray together. It reminds me that praising the Lord is not an 

individual, vertical experience, but one for the Body of Christ to 

collectively share in and celebrate together. 

What would you say to the modern church 

to encourage us as we seek to gain a better 

understanding of our culture and the role the 

arts plays in our lives? 

I grew up in a church culture where art was peripheral not central 

to the life of the church. Hymns were probably viewed more as a 

customary function of the worship service than as pieces of art. And 

most folks probably couldn't fathom where dance or painting might 

fit in to the worship experience. Art was a hobby one might enjoy 

in his/her spare time, but not something to make a career out of. I 

think it's fair to believe that most churches have moved beyond 

this idea now. We have come to respect the role that art plays 

in our worship. It moves us in ways nothing else does, and it can 

convey the love of Christ to a hurting world in ways our words simply 

cannot. The discussion of art and church gets pretty heady pretty 

quickly, and I'm not sure I have much to add to it. I believe art can 

be a wonderful expression of worship. I never tire of inviting people 

to explore and embrace the creativity the Lord has gifted them with 

and encourage the talents they see in their fellow sojourners. Art is 

usually born out of the most sensitive, vulnerable place in a person's 

heart, so it is good for the church to be a safe haven, nurturing and 

championing those brave enough to use their creative gifts. I would 

love to see the church become the primary cultivater and source of 

creative inspiration for its members.

elate 

SOUTHWOOD 

FAR AS THE CURSE IS FOUND 

SARAH NIEMITZ 

“And to Adam he said, ‘Because you have 

listened to the voice of your wife and have 

eaten of the tree of which I commanded 

you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the 

ground because of you...’” (Gen. 3:17a) 

Gardeners can tell you, without great toil 

the weeds and thorns will choke out the 

beautiful flowers in every garden. Farmers 

can tell you that droughts or flooding rains 

can not only ruin crops but lives, families, 

and communities. Food shortage and 

contaminated drinking water dominate 

the African news on TV, and well qualified 

students graduating from the University 

of Alabama cannot find meaningful 

employment. 

Typhoon Haiyan, with record breaking 

winds which devastated the Philippine 

islands was yet another, stark reminder of 

this curse. TV news is putting images to 

Paul’s statement in Romans 8:19-22, when 

he describes the groaning of creation as 

she waits for redemption. 

Merry Christmas! This is the joy to the 

world issue and you’re talking about “the 

curse.” Stay with me—there is an important 

connection. 

Have you ever watched a melodrama? 

We watched them every year at family 

camp, and they always required audience 

participation. All the characters are 

introduced at the beginning, and every 

time the villain comes on stage the crowd 

is supposed to “boo.” Every time the 

damsel-in-distress comes on stage we are 

supposed to say “awww,” and every time 

the hero comes on stage we are supposed 

to cheer. It’s perfect for family camp where 

kids are going to make noise in a play 

anyway, so why not make it part of the 

script and go with it! 

The angels in Luke’s Christmas account are 

like the audience in a melodrama. They see 

what’s happening and as soon as the hero 

comes on stage they cheer as loud as they 

can “Glory to God in the highest and on 

earth peace among those with whom He 

is pleased!” (Luke 2:14) Shepherds and 

wise men join the audience, and all around 

prophets like Simeon, Anna, and John the 

Baptist cheer as God’s hero, the Savior, 

comes onto the stage. 

But like every good melodrama, the hero 

does not enter the stage and save the day 

all in one scene. A great struggle lies ahead, 

and there are always difficult scenes before 

the happy ending. So it is in Scripture. 

Christ had to fulfill every prophecy, live a 

perfect life to impute to sinners, and absorb 

in his body all the pain and death of God’s 

curse from Genesis 3. His birth is just the 

beginning, but it marks the fulfillment of 

God’s promise to undo the curse he placed 

on man and creation in the garden. 

We are living in the middle of this 

melodrama—the part between the hero’s 

entrance and the ultimate victory. Paul says 

in Romans that “the creation was subjected 

to futility, not willingly, but because of him 

who subjected it, in hope that the creation 

itself will be set free from its bondage to 

corruption and obtain the freedom of 

the glory of the children of God. For we 

know that the whole creation has been 

groaning together in the pains of childbirth 

until now.” God’s beautiful creatures face 

extinction and climate changes threaten 

entire eco-systems because of man’s sin in 

the garden. 

Sometimes this groaning looks like weeds, 

sometimes like drought, and sometimes 

like tsunamis. 

But because Christmas happened we know 

for certain that there is a hero. He’s been 

here! He has set in motion the reversal of 

this curse by healing the blind and raising 

the dead. He calls his followers to be 

"Because Christmas happened we know 

for certain that there is a hero." 

agents of this same healing. We care about 

souls and the planet, people and animals, 

because they are all part of God’s creation 

which He promises to redeem. 

This is why World Vision staff members, 

Habitat for Humanity volunteers, and 

Mission to the World missionaries are 

working tirelessly in the Philippines today. 

They are handing out water, preparing 

home repair kits, and ensuring that their 

sponsored children have safe housing 

tonight. They will bandage wounds, 

rebuild homes, and campaign for better 

environmental stewardship because they 

know that Christ’s redemption extends as 

"far as the curse is found.” They are the 

audience who, in the midst of chaos and 

destruction, cheers for the hero they know 

will ultimately win. They point to him, with 

water, with shelter, and with Scripture so 

that the broken hearted may see and hope. 

The curse is real, and we feel it daily. But 

the hero has entered the stage before and 

says “Surely I am coming again soon” (Rev. 

22:20). Until that day cheer loudly, because 

the world needs to hear that “He comes to 

make his blessings flow / Far as the curse 

is found!”

SOUTHWOOD reflect 

WESTMINSTER 

DIVINES 

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS FROM THE 

WESTMINSTER LARGER CATECHISM 

COMMENTARY BY WILL SPINK 

The words of the Westminster Confession of 

Faith and Catechisms may not roll off your 

tongue like your favorite Christmas carol, but 

they are rich with their description of what was 

happening in the first Christmas. Taking a few 

moments to ponder the depth of the incarnation of the Son of 

God can enrich your celebration of Christmas as you consider 

what Jesus has done for those He loves. 

Westminster Confession of Faith VIII.2: The Son of God, the 

second person of the Trinity, being very and eternal God, of one 

substance and equal with the Father, did, when the fullness of 

time was come, take upon Him man's nature, with all the essential 

properties, and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin; being 

conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, in the womb of the 

virgin Mary, of her substance. So that two whole, perfect, and 

distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably 

joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, 

or confusion. Which person is very God, and very man, yet one 

Christ, the only Mediator between God and man. 

As is often the case in the Confession of Faith, echoes of biblical 

passages ring throughout this section. The wonder of Philippians 

2 where Jesus does not consider equality with God something to 

be clung to—and this despite the fact that He was indeed “very 

and eternal God” and “equal with the Father.” He was not only 

without sin and without the common infirmities of humanity but 

also immeasurably rich with the blessings and privileges of heaven. 

These He refused to cling to because of his love for us. 

Jesus did this “when the fullness of time was come” (Galatians 

4:4), when the time had come for our adoption as sons to be 

accomplished and our inheritance from the Heavenly Father to 

be made secure forever. It’s a great reminder that when the great 

moment of human history arose—when everything was on the 

line for Adam’s race—God didn’t ask us to step up but instead 

“stepped down” himself for our sakes. 

The rest of this section focuses on the person of Jesus as fully God 

and fully man (the theological term is “hypostatic union”). This great 

mystery is one more to be marveled at than unraveled in great 

detail. But as the catechisms explain, it is vital for us to know Jesus 

as both God and man in one person. God’s law required human 

flesh to be divinely perfect and take the full punishment due our sin. 

The beauty of this for us is that it makes Jesus the only one who can 

heal our relationship with the Father, the “only Mediator between 

God and man.” What a great joy that there is someone qualified to 

reconcile natural-born enemies like us to our Creator! 

Q. 37. How did Christ, being the Son of God, 

become man? 

A. Christ the Son of God became man, by taking to 

himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being 

conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb 

of the virgin Mary, of her substance, and born of her, 

yet without sin. 

The virgin birth of Christ, as prophesied in Isaiah 7:14, has long 

been a foundational tenet of the Christian faith. Don’t miss 

the remarkable nature of this: In uniting God and man, Jesus’s 

incarnation is effected by God’s work in a person—“the Holy Spirit 

in the womb of the virgin Mary”—the Creator entering into this 

world and being directly involved with his creatures. Thus, Jesus 

can be fully God and fully man, born of a woman yet unlike every 

other person in Adam’s lineage, “without sin.” 

The virgin birth, then, is necessary and beautiful in its own right, 

but it is also a great reminder to us at Christmas that we have a 

God who doesn’t stand at a distance from his people; rather, He 

moves toward us. He enters into our suffering, He breaks through 

our pain, He won’t allow even our sin to keep him away from us. 

Where do you struggle to believe God could make a difference 

in your life? Remember the Son of God took upon himself a true 

body and a reasonable soul—He became man for you. That’s the 

way your God operates, as He supernaturally intervenes in your 

very natural life. 

Q. 40. Why was it requisite that the Mediator 

should be God and man in one person? 

A. It was requisite that the Mediator, who was to 

reconcile God and man, should himself be both God 

and man, and this in one person, that the proper works 

of each nature might be accepted of God for us, and 

relied on by us as the works of the whole person. 

This question and answer highlight the importance of the 

incarnation of Jesus. Why was it necessary that Jesus be fully 


SOUTHWOOD 

CURL UP WITH... 

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS READINGS 

God and fully man? In short, a man had to do what only God was 

capable of doing: Human flesh had to be divinely perfect, fulfilling 

the righteous requirements of God’s holy law. That has been 

needed since the Garden of Eden. In addition, since humanity 

has accumulated an immeasurable debt through its sin, that 

price must be paid now as well—the wages of sin, which is death 

(Romans 6:23). 

The hope in this answer is in the phrase that what the “Mediator” 

has done can be “relied on by us.” We have no other hope apart 

from him because there is no other like him, both God and man in 

one person. But praise God that what Jesus has done gives us a 

secure hope! We can fully rely on him to “reconcile God and man” 

so that, in the words of the Christmas carol, there is “peace on 

earth and mercy mild... God and sinners reconciled!” 

Q. 47. How did Christ humble himself in his 

conception and birth? 

A. Christ humbled himself in his conception and birth, 

in that, being from all eternity the Son of God, in the 

bosom of the Father, he was pleased in the fullness of 

time to become the son of man, made of a woman of low 

estate, and to be born of her; with diverse circumstances 

of more than ordinary abasement. 

One of the great images of Christmas is the nativity scene. Some 

houses have one in every room: romantic to us, perhaps, with cows 

and donkeys and shepherds but an unlikely place for the arrival of 

God in the flesh! “Thou who wast rich beyond all splendor all for 

love’s sake becamest poor.” God himself let go of the rights and 

privileges of heaven and humbled himself to become man, to be 

born of a woman, to be placed in a feed trough for the animals He 

had created by the word of his mouth. 

Perhaps no image better reminds us of the wonder of the 

incarnation, the humility of the one coming as a servant King, the 

seemingly upside-down nature of his kingdom where the last are 

first and the greatest is the servant of all. Look at the scene in the 

stable this Christmas and rejoice in the God who would humble 

himself for us! 

A CHRISTMAS LONGING 

BY BRYAN CHAPELL 

Through her artwork, her creative 

retelling of the Nativity, and 

her tender reflections of the 

Christmas season, Joni Eareckson 

Tada invites the reader to 

consider anew the Son of God, 

who is the wellspring of every joy, 

the fulfillment of every longing. 

WATCH FOR THE LIGHT: 

READINGS FOR ADVENT 

& CHRISTMAS 

Providing a break from the 

commercialization frenzy of 

the season, these daily Advent 

readings invite readers to 

examine the deepest meaning 

of Christmas. 

THE CHRIST OF 

CHRISTMAS 

BY JAMES M. BOICE 

In this collection of Christmas 

insights, Dr. James Montgomery 

Boice emphasizes the incredible 

implications of one of our 

favorite true stories: the Creator 

of the universe choosing to live 

among the people of Earth. 

COME, THOU LONG 

EXPECTED JESUS 

BY NANCY GUTHERIE 

An anthology of Advent 

readings collected from the 

writings and sermons of 22 

classic and contemporary 

theologians and Bible teachers. 


SOUTHWOOD 

reflect 

O COME, O COME EMMANUEL JAMES PARKER 

O come, O come, Emmanuel, 

And ransom captive Israel, 

That mourns in lonely exile here 

Until the Son of God appear. 

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high, 

Who orderest all things mightily; 

To us the path of knowledge show, 

And teach us in her ways to go. 

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free 

Thine own from Satan’s tyranny; 

From depths of hell Thy people save, 

And give them victory over the grave. 

O come, Thou Day-spring, 

Come and cheer 

Our spirits by Thine advent here; 

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, 

And death’s dark shadows put to flight. 

O come, Thou Key of David, come, 

And open wide our heavenly home; 

Make safe the way that leads on high, 

And close the path to misery. 

O come, O come, great Lord of might, 

Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height 

In ancient times once gave the law 

In cloud and majesty and awe. 

O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree, 

An ensign of Thy people be; 

Before Thee rulers silent fall; 

All peoples on Thy mercy call. 

O come, Desire of nations, bind 

In one the hearts of all mankind; 

Bid Thou our sad divisions cease, 

And be Thyself our King of Peace. 

Rejoice! Rejoice! 

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. 

"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is probably 

the most recognizable of Christmas hymns. 

The text is very old and has been used in 

various ecclesiastical traditions throughout 

history. And the melody is a surviving relic 

from the days of plainsong chant. I can say 

with authority that if a melody survives for 

more than 800 years, it is a very good melody! 

Most every person, inside and outside the 

church, knows the tune and at least the first 

line and refrain of the hymn. It’s survival is a 

testament to its quality. The hymn’s content 

is so strong and so universal that all christian 

congregations embrace it. And the tune is 

so memorable and so singable that even the 

unbelieving world joins in the throng. Truly 

an amazing hymn! 

As is the case with many very old hymns, little 

is know about the exact origin of "O Come, 

O Come, Emmanuel." What is clear is that 

the text is an english translation of an 8th 

century latin text, “Veni, Veni, Emmanuel.” In 

Roman Catholic and Anglican churches, this 

text has been known as the “O Antiphons.” 

An antiphon is basically a fancy way of 

saying “a call and response reading, chant, 

or song.” The "O Antiphons" are based 

on the "Magnificat" (the song of Mary from 

Luke chapter 1) and they are used during 

Vespers (evening prayer services in high 

liturgical traditions) during the final week 

of Advent. It is the exact origins of these 

antiphons which are not known. Based on 

earlier accounts in literature, the text “Veni, 

Veni, Emmanuel” might even be 200 years 

older than its suspected 8th century origin! 

Let that thought sink in for a minute... During 

the 2013 Advent season at Southwood, we 

will sing a song that was possibly written 

only 400 years after the book of Revelation! 

How many billions of Christians must have 

gone before us and voiced this incredible 

song? It is a staggering thought for sure. 

The suspected age of the classic melody 

("Veni Emmanuel" in the hymnal—no 

surprise there!) is the 13th century, and came 

out of the plainsong, or chant, tradition. 

Medieval plainsong is so significant to 

the development of western notation, 

and harmonic & melodic principles, that 

it simply cannot be understated. There 

were very large bodies of these chants that 

were used in the liturgies of the western 

church. Some of them have survived and 

are still in use today. "Veni Emmanuel" is 

one example. Another familiar example is 

the tune "Divinum Mysterium," the melody 

associated with the hymn "Of the Father’s 

Love Begotten." It is from the 12th century. 

These very old tunes are truly remarkable. 

They have a predictable rise and fall, yet 

they are not at all boring, and they are 

instantly recognizable. When I sing or 

play the tune for "O Come, O Come, 

Emmanuel," I feel a sense of wonder, 

almost as if I’m an archaeologist reliving 

the discovery of the burial site of an ancient 

Egyptian princess. 

It is a humbling thing to connect with such 

a significant piece of human history. And 

it is also encouraging to know that I share 

things in common with people who have 

gone before me. What was powerful and 

beautiful to my ancestors is still powerful 

and beautiful to me. I can sing with a new 

and abiding sense of my own inferiority 

and the vastness of my enduring family, my 

family of faith. 

This Christmas, join me in co-offering "O 

Come, O Come, Emmanuel" with the 

multitude of saints long past and saints yet 

to be born. Thank God that for their sake, 

and for ours, the Church is not a passing 

fad, but an eternal reality. Rejoice! O Israel, 

to thee has come Emmanuel! And He shall 

come again! 


espond 

SOUTHWOOD 

ASK A 

PASTOR 

Jean F. 

Larroux, III 

Answering questions 

about Christmas 

calendar dates 

DEC 

25 

Why do we have a Christmas Eve service? 

Southwood has celebrated the eve of Christ’s birth with a 

candlelight service for many years. So, honestly this is one 

of the reasons for this service’s existence—tradition. 

But if you are wondering "why’"we adopted this tradition then 

perhaps you might find the following helpful. Although there are 

no notes from a Session meeting in 1995 that say, “The reason we 

started having a Christmas Eve service is…” some of these "reasons" 

undoubtedly overlap the orginal motivations for this service. 

To remember the "Reason for the Season" 

It is easy to get caught up in the commercialization of Christmas and 

to forget that the word "holiday" was used historically to describe 

"holy" days. As human beings we are re-oriented back toward God 

by worship. A worship service on Christmas Eve helps to re-orient us 

in a divine direction. 

To "Tell it on the Mountain" 

Christmas Eve worship is a great opportunity to share the truth of 

the Gospel with people who might otherwise never attend a worship 

service or hear the message of hope and love that the Scriptures 

proclaim. For many members of our congregation the service provides 

a unique opportunity to introduce friends and family to the message 

of Grace and the ministry of Southwood. 

Because it is the "Night before Christmas" 

Our children are often hyper-consumers of the Christmas gift-giving 

traditions. A worship service on Christmas Eve allows parents the 

opportunity to "nestle their children all snug in the bed" with visions 

of Christ lying in a manger and the sounds of "Silent Night" still 

ringing in their ears. Exposing our children to corporate worship on 

Christmas Eve reinforces to them the truth that we are a "peculiar 

people" who believe truths about God that shape our daily lives and 

our holiday celebrations. 

Was Jesus really born on 

December 25th? 

December 25 is the traditional anniversary of the 

birth of Christ, but most scholars are unsure about 

the true date for Christ's birth. 

The decision to celebrate Christmas on December 25 was 

made sometime during the fourth century by church bishops 

in Rome. They had a specific reason for doing so. 

Having turned long ago from worshiping the one true God and 

creator of all things, many early cultures in the Roman empire 

had fallen into sun worship. Recognizing their dependence on 

the sun's yearly course in the heavens, they held feasts around 

the winter solstice in December when the days are shortest. As 

part of their festivals, they built bonfires to give the sun god 

strength and bring him back to life again. When it became 

apparent that the days were growing longer, there would be 

great rejoicing. 

The church leaders in Rome decided to celebrate Christ's 

birth during the winter solstice in an attempt to Christianize 

these popular pagan celebrations. For the most part their 

efforts failed to make the people conform, and the heathen 

festivities continued. Today we find ourselves left with a bizarre 

marriage of pagan and Christian elements that characterizes 

our modern celebration of Christmas. 

Regardless of the pagan background of so many December 

traditions, and whether or not Jesus was born on December 

25th, our goal is still to turn the eyes of all men upon the true 

Creator and Christ of Christmas. The light of the world has 

come. And the Christmas season and celebration presents 

the church with a wonderful opportunity to preach the good 

news—that men can be made righteous and have peace with 

God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. 

Used by permission. Rev. John McArthur, Copyright 2013, 

Grace to You. All rights reserved. www.GTY.org 


SOUTHWOOD 

relate 

WELCOME TO SOUTHWOOD 

These families have joined Southwood this month. Don’t miss the 

opportunity to welcome them into the family. 

Steve, Jenny, Ashley 

& Kate Braddom 

Karen 

Van Bebber 

Hallie & David 

Porter 

Thom, Laurie & 

Alicia Anderson 

Donna & Mike 

Patterson 

David Vail 

Regina 

Ligon 

Allan & Lois-Anne 

Weinberg Jonathan 

& Barbie 

Sumner 

Lane & Emily 

Polak 

Not Pictured: Robert & Savannah Cassis; Don, Rachael, Julia & Rebecca Martin; Charlie Owens; 

Drew & Kristen Shambarger; Morgan Stangle; Peter & Katy Varner; Robert, Cheryl & Jessica Wright 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS (WAR IS OVER) | JAMES PARKER 

John Lennon and Yoko Ono originally wrote this song 

as a protest to the Vietnam war, but it has become a 

Christmas standard. There is something universal about 

its message and its sound that speaks to us. The refrain 

of this song that carries almost throughout is sung by the 

Harlem Community Choir. “War is over, if you want it...” 

At Christmas time, even outside the church, we all long 

for new beginnings, and an end to strife and pettiness. 

This chorus, from an unlikely place, reminds us that the 

war that wages inside all men, the war of sin and death, 

the war that put us at enmity with our Father—that war 

is over. As Isaiah said, “by his stripes we are healed.” 

God did not spare his own son, so that the war can be 

absolutely, completely, and finally over! And I think 

even those men and women who have a hard time 

believing what Christmas stands for, still hope that 

the gospel is true. We all know what it means to have 

strife in our hearts, and we all long for the fighting to 

stop and for peace to come over us. 


elate 

SOUTHWOOD 

ALL THAT IS FAIR TOP 5 CHRISTMAS ALBUMS + 1 JAMES PARKER 

Christmas music is ubiquitous. There seems 

to be no end to the overly sentimental 

landscape that is the genre, “Holiday Music.” 

Every artist it seems, at one time or another, 

produced a Christmas song or album. Even 

Fred Schneider (the odd talking guy from 

the B-52s) produced a Christmas album with 

his group, The Superions. It’s entertaining, 

but kind of creepy to say the least. 

Anyway, amidst this massive body of largely 

cheesy holiday hum-a-longs, I would like to 

make mention of a handful of albums that 

set themselves apart from the pack. I submit 

to you my “top 5 + 1 Christmas Album List.” 

1 

2 

3 

Charlie Brown Christmas 

Vince Guaraldi 

Vince Guaraldi is looked to as a pioneer of 

the jazz piano trio idiom. A true genius and 

master of his craft. It would be a travesty 

for any Christmas album list to not mention 

A Charlie Brown Christmas. I can’t think of 

an album that more effectively evokes a 

warm and cozy mood. This is a Christmas 

standard—a “must-own” record. 

James Taylor at Christmas 

James Taylor 

James Taylor has been one of my favorite 

writers for most of my life. His finger style 

guitar, understated singing, and gorgeous 

poetry are all things I have tried to 

emulate. This album is almost cheesy but 

his unmistakable voice, and his knack for 

arranging make many of these recordings 

absolutely timeless, appealing to a wide 

range of age groups. 

Pretty Paper 

Willie Nelson 

Willie is an acquired taste to be sure. I 

happen to love his voice, but I get that not 

everyone feels the same way. Say what 

you will about Willie, this record is chock 

full of very simple and straightforward 

arrangements of Christmas standards. They 

are not pretentious in the least (one of the 

things I love most about Willie’s music). 

The only original song on the record, Pretty 

Paper, was a complete afterthought, and it 

became a chart topping country music hit. 

James 

Parker 

Giving us 

his favorite 

top five & 

one bonus 

Christmas 

albums. 

A Motown Christmas 

Various Artists 

4 

This record is amazing! There are 25 classic 

recordings by Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, 

The Temptations, The Supremes, Smokey 

Robinson, and the list goes on and on. 

Tasteful and groovy motown drum sounds, 

the melodic funky bass lines of the great 

James Jamerson, and some of the greatest 

voices ever to be put on vinyl. You can’t go 

James Parker leads worship at Southwood. He 

wrong with this record. If it doesn’t make regularly writes on culture and is a firm believer that 

you smile, then something is terribly wrong! God’s fingerprints can be seen everywhere and that 

his glory shines in“all that is fair.” You can email him 

at james.parker@southwood.org 

My Holiday 

Mindy Smith 

5 

TOP 5 + 1 ALBUM LIST 

Mindy Smith is a Nashville songwriting 

1 

treasure. She is a brilliant lyricist and has a 

smooth warm voice similar to that of Allison 

CHARLIE BROWN 

Kraus. My Holiday has some standards, but 

CHRISTMAS 

also contains a number of original Christmas 

VINCE GUARALDI 

songs. "Follow the Shepherd Home" and 

"I Know the Reason" are two of the best 

new Christmas songs I have ever heard. This 

2 

record will melt your heart and raise your 

JAMES TAYLOR AT 

spirit this season. 

CHRISTMAS 

Hear it at 

The Spirit of Christmas 

JAMES TAYLOR 

Fa La Lodge! 

Ray Charles 

+1 

This is my “plus one.” This record is so 

beautiful in so many ways that it is truly 

beyond categorization. Unfortunately it is 

3 

PRETTY PAPER 

WILLIE NELSON 

out of print and not available for download 

anywhere. I had to find my copy on eBay! 

Ray Charles put organic motown and rhythm 

& blues elements all over this record, and 

4 

this was during a time when synth pop ruled 

A MOTOWN 

the music scene. When the rest of the world 

CHRISTMAS 

was listening to Depeche Mode and Aha!, 

VARIOUS ARTISTS 

Ray dusted of the Fender Rhodes piano 

and produced a record that doesn’t sound 

dated. It is incredibly timeless. And his 

voice is, in my opinion, one of the best and 

most unique we will ever hear, on this side 

5 

MY HOLIDAY 

of eternity. It is so full of character, even his 

MINDY SMITH 

“wrong” notes sound right! This record is 

simply brilliant and that’s really all I can say. 

+1 

Merry Christmas, Southwood! I hope you 

all have a lovely Christmas, filled with friends 

THE SPIRIT OF 

and family, renewed love for Jesus, and 

CHRISTMAS 

beautiful music! 

RAY CHARLES 


December 15th 

5:30pm* & 7:30pm 

Limited Seating 

Free Tickets at 

Office or Guest Center 

*Reserve nursery for up to four years 

by December 11th • $5/Child 

Wassail • Coffee • Hot Chocolate 

Bring a batch of cookies to share!

BRANCHES December 2013

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