OzThoughts Thursday 10th December 2008

OzThoughts Thursday 10th December 2008

“Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness,
Worship the Lord in the spirit of praise.
Bow down before Him,
Love and adore Him,
Come let us worship in spirit and truth.”
Author: James Curnow

“In the beauty of holiness”. What type of picture does that build up in your mind? For some it may be the quieter, more reflective meetings we used to have Sunday morning.

I was told the story of a Divisional Corps Cadet Rally (do they still have them?) which was held at a major city corps. The Corps cadets in their enthusiasm felt the good rhythm of the opening song and when they came to the chorus, they began playing their timbrels and clapping to the rhythm. It was going to be a great meeting.

They were only a few bars into the chorus when the Bandmaster stopped the band and spoke to the meeting leader, telling him this was a Holiness Meeting and we don’t have timbrels and clapping. The story as I heard it contained an offer of compromise. There was a choice either the timbrels and clapping stop or the band would stop.

Others may feel the beauty of holiness in the rain forest, the rolling hills, or a steep mountain slope pushing its heights into a snowy cover. Some may see it beside a lake, a mountain stream or the gentle lapping of the sea or the rolling surf at the ocean’s meeting with the land.

Others may feel they are in the presence of God in a church, chapel, cathedral or a citadel. In the quietness and the peace of the special place they find a sacredness in which they discover the beautiful holiness of God.

There may be even some who see the beauty of holiness in the comfort given to an abused child or woman, to a bashed man or in bathing a man who had been sleeping rough for too many weeks. They find it in the quiet hour in counselling an alcoholic, a gambler or a prisoner.

The shepherds found the holiness of God when they found the baby Jesus lying in a manger in the stable of Bethlehem. They thanked God right there as they knelt in the straw for this precious gift of a special child. None of the Gospel writers mention they felt a need to go to a ‘holy place’ like Bethlehem’s Synagogue to worship God in the beauty of holiness.

PRAYER:

Thank you that today I am found a part of the great ‘church” which is carrying out the mission of Christ. May I find the beauty of holiness in the moments of today. Amen.

Luke 2: 8-20 (The Message)

8 There were sheepherders camping in the neighbourhood. They had set night watches over their sheep.
9 Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified.
10 The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide:
11 A Saviour has just been born in David's town, a Saviour who is Messiah and Master.
12 This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
13 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

14 Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

15 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us."
16 They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.
17 Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child.
18 All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
19 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.
20 The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!

[Look and Listen: Sarah Brightman - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOJhznxKKU8&feature=related ]
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
Author: Placide Clappeau, 1847;
Translated from French to English by John S. Dwight (1812-1893).

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