Christ's incarnation

ENJOY PRAISING THE LORD THIS CHRISTMAS

(December 02, 2023) Norman and Margaret Moss reflect…

During my (Norman‘s) childhood we had two harmoniums in our home.

Longing to play them
Unfortunately, both were far gone playing-wise! The smaller one suffered from a pair of bellows which often leaked very badly requiring my grandfather to repair them with an abundance of glue which came strongly smelling and piping hot out of a glue pot.

When repaired the organ made quite a good sound, but the repairs didn’t last very long.

The other instrument had two keyboards and more stops. The main fault of this one was that if I pulled out one of the stops it would disable the instrument, requiring my father to drag the organ out of the alcove in which it was placed, so that he could struggle into the alcove in order to remove the back and repair it.

Needless to say, sometimes I forgot and pulled the stop out!

My father who was an accomplished organist could extract a wheezy music from both organs. I longed to play them… but the sounds I produced were execrable!

Witnesses
These instruments were witnesses to me of the great family celebrations at Christmas when we would get together round an instrument and sing in glorious harmonies at the top of their voices.

How generous it was of God to give us music. Tastes may vary and times change, but most of us enjoy singing… and just wait till we hear what heaven can do!

Whatever else you do at Christmas this year, be sure to sing His praises… and to enjoy doing so.

Christmas meditation
We were meditating on Revelation 4:11, ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things and by your will they were created and have their being.’

We felt the Lord was saying –

‘It is by my will that you were created, created for my glory and blessing. Created to tell of me and of my kingdom. Created to bring about my kingdom on earth. What better use for your tongue than that your lips should sound forth my name and my honour. Therefore open your mouth and show forth my praise and my people will hear and come into my kingdom.

‘Fear not, for I am with you. There is no pride or insecurity in me that has need to be praised, nor is there any doubt that I am to receive glory, honour, and praise. Creation brings me praise because worship is declaring ultimate truth and bringing the worshippers into the harmony of heavens symphony. The truth is that I AM worthy, and that is unassailable and unthreatened truth. All that denies this is lie and deception. I AM perfect light, perfect holiness, perfect righteousness, justice and purity. I AM perfect love, kindness, compassion and mercy.

‘All my blessed attributes meet in the cross and resurrection. All were manifested in my incarnation, and shall be declared in my glorious return to the planet and the people whom I love. So rejoice and live in spontaneous praise and delightsome worship, for in this way you also come into the reality, which is filling all things,the glory and wonder of my magnificence and my worthiness of honour and majesty.’

The Lord bless and keep you this Christmas – and through the coming year! Praise His name!
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Norman and Margaret Moss pastored Queen’s Road Baptist Church, Wimbledon for over 30 years, experiencing charismatic renewal since the 1960s and bringing the congregation into renewal in the 70s when the church grew significantly. Their desire is still to encourage ministers, churches and groups that are hungry for more of the Holy Spirit and although ‘retired’ they preach and teach by Zoom, and also contribute to Dr. Ayodele Afuye’s Vessels of Virtues Fire Ministries. Link: charlesnmoss@gmail.com
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RELYING ON GOD’S GRACE

(December 4, 2021) Norman and Margaret Moss share a meditation…

Some months back we were rejoicing in the birth of our 17th great grandchild, and all was well with us!

Shortly afterwards we had fresh reason to rejoice about God’s grace! Our daughter Verity was diagnosed with cancer, yet she has had total peace throughout this time. So many of our friends were praying for her, and we thank you all for your prayers. On September 30 she had robotic surgery and made a brilliant recovery. Such is the grace of God.

Many reasons to rejoice for God’s grace
So much can happen in a few brief weeks… but we live in daily dependence on the grace and love of our Father in heaven.

Meditating on 2 Timothy 2:1, ‘Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus,’ we felt the Lord was saying the following:

  • Live in my grace. It is full and overflowing with love.
  • Explore my grace. It is unending. Love every part of it.
  • Be full of my grace in all forgiveness and love.
  • Be abounding in my grace. There is no weakness in it, no thinning of it in any part.
  • Be covered by my grace. It covers in every way, giving comfort where there is any pain.
  • Be strong in my grace. It eases and cleanses and renews in every part.
  • Enjoy my grace. It is nothing if it is not generous. I pour it out lavishly on all my people.
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τέταρτος μάγος – THE FOURTH MAGI

(November 26, 2021) Robert and Maureen McQuillan, as with other contributors this month, again encourage blessing others…

As many know, we relax watching good movies, particularly film noir, and wholesome TV shows. Recently, although it’s only November, we kept finding great Christmas-centred YouTube ones highlighting the Christmastime season as one of generosity and giving.

Next month, of course, brings around that time of year when we celebrate the coming to earth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, born of the young virgin Mary, fulfilling Isaiah 9:6.

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Celebrating Christ’s incarnation
Sadly, to many it’ll just be a holiday season but to those who know the gift of our gracious, loving God, we’ll celebrate it remembering we owe him so much for the miraculous incarnation of his Son who would willingly sacrifice himself on Calvary’s cross to pay the penalty of our sins (John 3:16).

And, of course, we owe much to the Holy Spirit who, as Romans 8:11 declares, ensured that Jesus rose from the grave (‘With healing in his wings’ to quote from that Wesley/Whitefield hymn that became the carol Hark the Angels Sing), as well as birthing the church (Acts 2).

Looking ahead, most Christians will be making Christmastime special, getting together with family, enjoying fellowship and good food, gift-giving, relaxing and happiness-finding and making. But… unfortunately some will miss out next month because they’ve heard myths generated around what we call the Christmas story and been disillusioned!

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