Introducing ‘With Heart and Soul and Voice’ by Tim Chester
I know it’s still November, but as the Christmas adverts begin emerging and we see more and more portraits of Christmas on social media – with tips or recipes or wrapping advice or just shameless plugs – I wonder if you feel inspired, or burdened, or envious, or excited?
I hope you’re feeling excited and full of anticipation. But sometimes it’s tempting to feel a little inadequate. Maybe your home doesn’t look like the ones that are so inviting and cosy and joy-filled in the Christmas movies. (Mine doesn’t look like the one pictured above, if anyone is wondering.) Or maybe you can’t afford the gifts your children would really like. Perhaps your children really struggle with their emotions over the Christmas period. Maybe someone in the family is sick this year and you’re not really feeling the joy.
Well as ever, the Lord Jesus has good news for us. In fact, He is the good news. Which means Christmas, too, is good news for us!
I mentioned last week that I enjoy reading an advent devotional each year. This year I’m enjoying Tim Chester’s ‘With Heart and Soul and Voice.’ You can get it here. Here is an encouragement for those of us who are feeling a bit ‘unimpressive’ this November. (Sorry if this idea offends. Maybe I’m the only one who feels unimpressive!)
Mary said “[God my Saviour] has brought rulers down from their thrones/ But has lifted up the humble.”
‘Your church may not look very impressive – but that’s the point! God has chosen the weak and lowly to shame the wise and powerful (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)…
And it can begin in your home. Just as the meals of Jesus were a sign of his upside-down kingdom, so our meals should display the same upside-down grace. Your Christmas can be a little sign of Christ’s coming kingdom as you welcome the lonely and provide for the needy.’ Tim Chester, With Heart and Soul and Voice, p. 33.
In the economy of the Kingdom of God, he can take our meagre, weak-looking efforts and do something with them that lasts into eternity. If we serve our families and others with humility, offering it all up to Christ, he will be honoured. We need to see this with eyes of faith.
How wonderfully refreshing it is to know that the coming of Christ was the start of this new topsy-turvy Kingdom, where the poor and the simple are honoured and made wise. As we go into advent trying to serve others and honour the Lord, he can do more with our work than we can possibly ask or imagine. No wonder Mary sang!
More about the book:
The book goes through four songs found in the Bible and also quotes the traditional hymns inspired by them. They are as follows – I’ve included links to my favourite Christmas songs based on these Bible passages:
Mary’s Song (The Magnificat)
Zechariah’s Song (The Benedictus)
The Angels’ Song (The Gloria)
Simeon’s Song (The Nunc Dimittis) – I don’t have a fun version of this to share with you, but my daughter did sing the Nunc Dimittis earlier this year with her choir at St Paul’s Cathedral in London at Evensong. Up until then I’d never heard of it and I still think Nunc is kind of a funny word. But at least now I (and you) can nod knowingly if anyone brings it up over Christmas! (You never know.)
Here’s the link for the book again. Have a blessed day!
Mum in Zone One 