November 29, 2009

Tonight is the fifth Sunday of the month.  The Cumberland Presbyterian churches in the area take turns hosting a 5th Sunday evening service. Tonight First Cumberland was the host and they had the lighting of the Star service.  There were folks there from about 6 or 7 congregations.  The youth of the church led the star lighting service as they have every year.  It's very beautiful from the road that runs in front of the church.

When Gene and Emily moved to Chattanooga, one of the things they left behind was the large star on top of Pine Mountain that was lit every Christmas.  Gene was instrumental in getting that star built and he became very fond of the idea of the star at Christmas.  He built a star for their yard there in Middlesboro, and when they got to Chattanooga, that first Christmas, he made sure that there was a star for the yard.  The next year after he and Emily had settled in at their new church, First Cumberland Presbyterian, he teamed up with a new found friend, Paul Cromwell, an engineer, and they built a Star for the church.  He thoroughly enjoyed working with Paul; and commented on his engineering skills.

Emily has been out of town over the Thanksgiving week, and she drove back from Atlanta to come to the service.  She got caught up in some awful traffic at Fort Oglethorpe and arrived at the church in time to see the star lit and people standing around it.

Here's the poem Gene wrote after he and Paul constructed the star.  Dr. Carver read the poem tonight just before the congregation went outside to the lighting service.



                                                THE STAR
                                                              

Out of the East a star arose

Never seen or known by man

The wise men said it was from God

Ushering  in the master plan

“What is this plan?” The people asked

A King will soon be birthed.

We must follow the radiant star

To welcome the King to Earth

Joseph and Mary made their way

Along the Bethlehem Trail

And wondered about the Glorious Star

Whose light would never fail

Shepherds watching over their sheep

In Bethlehem’s fields that night

Recalled the stories told of old

Of a radiant omen star so bright

The Inn at Bethlehem was full

As the innkeeper tended his chores

Never looking up to see the Star,

Whose light was at his door.

“No room” he said to the peasant pair

But a stable will do for you

God’s son was born in a stable bare

As ox and sheep bowed down in awe.

Rejoice, ye Heavenly Angel Hosts

Exult ye people, with hearts of praise

Shine on o Star of Bethlehem

The Son of God is born today

So like the shepherds and wise men of old

Made their way to the stable scene

So must we look up and see the light

And seek the manger that holds the King

Patiently He sends His light

To shine upon our way

So wise men still seek and find  Him

And he smiles upon their day

December 2005

Dedicated to:   Paul Cromwell,  Star Builder