âStar of Wonder, Star of Nightâ: Chuck Thompson, Gary Hatten and Bruce Williams sing the hymn âWe Three Kingsâ on the final morning of the Bethany Menâs Christmas Breakfasts Thursday at the First United Methodist Church. The burst from the cameraâs flash created an appropriate star effect on the television screen behind the singers.
Renewing a tradition that began more than 50 years ago, several men and youngsters gathered at the First United Methodist Church last week for three mornings of the Bethany Menâs and Boysâ Christmas Breakfasts.
Following a breakfast of pancakes and sausages served by members of local churches, the audience settled back to sing Christmas hymns and listen to messages presented by laypersons from the participating congregations.
The final service, on Thursday, featured special music from Chuck Thompson, Gary Hatten and Bruce Williams who sang âWe Three Kings of Orient Are.â
The breakfasts, which are held during the Christmas and Easter seasons, were first organized and led by George Everett and have been carried on ever since by a planning committee from each church led by Bob Harryman.
Gene Ishmael of the First Baptist Church spoke on Thursday morning, reminding those in attendance that âJesus is the reason for the season.â
Ishmael pointed out that this message has been lost in the commercialization of Christmas by such events as âBlack Fridayâ and governmental attempts to turn the season into a secular event rather than a religious celebration.
âNow it seems to be politically correct to say Happy Holidaysâ rather than Merry Christmas, Ishmael said.
âIf we arenât celebrating Christmas, what are we celebrating?â Ismael asked.
Ishmaelâs full message appears on the editorial page of this weekâs Republican-Clipper.