Love of the season
“I’d Rather Be An Old-Time Christian Than Anything I Know.
There’s Nothing Like An Old-Time Christian With A Christian Love To Show.”
Those are the words that Albert E. Brumley chose to lead the chorus of this classic gospel song. To me the most important words there are “With A Christian Love To Show.”
Although it is something we should apply each and every day there is no better time to put it in practice than Christmas.
Christian love, what does that mean?
A love given in a Christ like manner; a love given in the name of Christ; a love shared on behalf of our savior; a love that has no bounds because it was initially shared with us by God himself to share with others.
While I realize these are just my meager attempts to describe what God wishes us to show to all we meet, if we just look around us, we can see the true aspect of Christian love within our community.
We can see it in neighbor helping neighbor. We can see it in the food pantries helping families be fed. We can see it in one child sharing his or her toy with a less fortunate child.
Wouldn’t this be a wonderful world if we knew that a helping hand was a close as the nearest person to you? While that may seem like an improbability, at Christmas time, we collectively seem to get closer than in other times of the year to finding a sense of greater purpose than clinging to our own needs and desires.
Each year, my hopes for America, my hopes for my fellow man are renewed. If there was no Christmas time, I am afraid many would forget that we are suppose to show each other Christian love.
I am thankful that in other times of the year we have wonderful songs written by icons like Albert E. Brumley to remind us.
Brumley brought us songs such as “I’ll Fly Away,” “I’ll Meet You In the Morning,” “I Firmly Promise You” and countless others.
His family through the work of Bob Brumley has brought a regular opportunity for gospel performers and gospel fans alike to reflect on all the music Brumley gave us to honor God at the annual Brumley Gospel Sing in Lebanon, Mo each August.
Now my Brumley friends Kevin and Betsy (Brumley) Bernier at I’ll Fly Away Productions have made it possible for you to bring dozens of performances from the 40th Annual Brumley Gospel Sing into your home and enjoy them over and over again.
The seven-volume DVD collection features over 200 songs and 15 hours of entertainment including some of the biggest Southern gospel music stars: Karen Peck and New River, Dixie Melody Boys, Dove Brothers, Primitive Quartet, Booth Brothers, Tim Lovelace, Kingsmen, Diplomats, The Dixie Echoes, The Lesters, Mark Bishop, Mark Trammell Trio, Gospel Enforcers, The Perrys, Palmetto State Quartet, McKameys, The Morlan Family, Blackwood Brothers Quartet, Chuck Wagon Gang, The Whisnants, The Tribute Quartet, Aaron Wilburn, The Lewis Family, Geraldine and Ricky, Larry DeLawder, and a historical volume including Albert E. Brumley and the history of the Brumley Gospel Sing.
Friends, as I sat and watched these performances it warmed my heart to hear and see so many friends sharing their love of the Lord in music. That is what these folks are to me – friends, and I know the same is true for many of you who care about their lives of service the music and comedy shared to lift our loads.
The DVD set is available for $119.95 plus $10 shipping or individual volumes for $24.95 plus $6.95 shipping. You may find more information at www.ifaproductions.com.
Merry Christmas to each of you…
