After hearing Handel’s Messiah performed so beautifully yesterday, I am really in the Christmas spirit now!

Here is a most inspiring prayer from the Puritan’s prayer book “Valley of Vision”

The Gift of Gifts

“O SOURCE OF ALL GOOD,
What shall I render thee for the gift of gifts,
thine own dear Son, begotten, not created,
my redeemer, proxy, surety, substitute,
his self-emptying incomprehensible,
his infinity of love beyond the heart’s grasp.

Herein is wonder of wonders:
he came below to raise me above,
was born like me that I might become like him.
Herein is love:
when I cannot rise to him he draws near on wings of grace,
to raise me to himself.
Herein is power;
when Deity and humanity were infinitely apart
he united them in indissoluble unity, the uncreated and the created.
Herein is wisdom;
when I was undone, with no will to return to him,
and no intellect to devise recovery,
he came, God-incarnate, to save me to the uttermost,
as man to die my death
to shed satisfying blood on my behalf,
to work out a perfect righteousness for me.

O God, take me in spirit to watchful shepherds, and
enlarge my mind;
let me hear good tidings of great joy,
and hearing, believe, rejoice, praise, adore,
my conscience bathed in an ocean of repose,
my eyes lifted to a reconciled Father;
place me with ox, ass, camel, goat,
to look with them upon my redeemer’s face,
and in him account myself delivered from sin;
let me with Simeon clasp the new-born child to my heart,
embrace him with undying faith,
exulting that he is mine and I am his.
In him thou hast given me so much that heaven can give no more.”
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This is the true message of Christmas.

Stan

We were so privileged yesterday to hear Handel’s Messiah performed by one of the best symphony orchestras in the country “the Pacific Symphony Orchestra and Chorale” in Costa Mesa Calif.  They have recently built a new concert hall engineered with the most sophisticated sound technology to be able to reproduce the most perfect sounding music imaginable. Combine this with some of the best performers in the world and the most inspired music of GF Handel, and you have an indescribable worship experience. I was following along with the Bible texts in the program while the words were being sung. There were tears of joy in my eyes as I was contemplating the beauties of Christ and His gospel. I was reminded that most of the words of this musical are taken from the Old Testament. It is worth looking at the words and the texts which can be read at this link that Deacon posted on another thread:

http://www.forthegospel.org/forum/viewreply/4135/

that came from

http://gfhandel.org/

You will have to click on the Messiah link on the left lower column, and then scroll down aways reading the history of the composition, and then there is a link to the Libretto, which are the words and the texts of scriptures. These are truly inspiring.

The audience of 2000 people was awe-struck by this performance. When the Hallelujah chorus was sung, 2000 people were on thir feet singing along with the chorus, and the applause was deafening. But the Hallelujah chorus is not the end of the performance. They then went on to sing about the resurrection of Christ, and about the glorious second coming of Christ. The words of Job 19, “I know that my Redeemer liveth” were sung with such beauty and clarity. The performance ended with another beautiful chorus at the end taken from Revelation 5:

Chorus
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by His blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Blessing and honour, glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen.
(Revelation 5 : 12-13)

I can’t describe in words what hearing that last chorus was like, but we all were tearing up and contemplating so great a salvation.

The audience would not stop applauding at the end. It was the most thunderous ovation I have ever heard in a long time. My mother remarked that she was amazed that so many people still appreciate something like this. We believe we were treated to music that is the closest representation to the music of heaven that is possible on this earth.

We were also reminded that there are still a lot of people who are inspired by the truly great sacred music of all time.

Chorus
Hallelujah! for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
(Revelation 19 : 6)
The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.
(Revelation 11 : 15)
King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
(Revelation 19 : 16)
Hallelujah!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Wishing a blessed sacred Christmas to all,

Stan

Here is a more contemporary song that I also like very much, and this was recently recorded by the group “Saleh”

A child was born on Christmas day
Born to save the world
But long before the world began
He knew His death was sure
The pain and strife secured”

Mystery, how He came
to be a man
But greater still
How His death was in His plan
God predestined that His
Son would die
And He still created man
Oh, what love is this
That His death was in His hands.

The Christmas trees
They glow so bright
With presents all around
But Christmas brought
A tree of life
With blood that sacrificed
The greatest gift in life.

Mystery, how He came
to be a man
But greater still
How His death was in His plan
God predestined that His
Son would die
And He still created man
Oh, what love is this
That His death was in His hands.

A blessed Christmas season to all,

Stan

And while we are on the topic of great Christmas music honoring the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, here is another link to some really inspiring newer Christmas music:

http://www.sovereigngracestore.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=M4185-00-21

“Christ the Lord is born today”

How my happy heart rejoices
I can hear the angel voices
“Christ is born” they all are singing
From the sky this good news bringing
Let the earth rejoice
O come and lift your voices

Christ the Lord is born today
He came from heaven’s throne
God is born a man today
To bring His children home
To bring His children home

Death and darkness surely tremble
Light has come to all the people
The Lion comes to crush the serpent
He comes a Lamb, a lowly servant
Let the earth rejoice
O come and lift your voices

God has sent His greatest treasure
Shown His love in greatest measure
Sending Christ to bleed and suffer
Purchasing our joy forever
Let the earth rejoice
O come and lift your voices
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Hallelujah!

Stan

I had the chance to sing Tenor in Handel’s Messiah in college and it was a phenomenal experience. There is a talent and blessing that just doesn’t seem to exist in church/sacred music like there was back then. God had such a hand in the power and majesty of the music back then.

There are some modern composers like Arvo Part and Morten Lauridsen who seem to be going back to the choral music of the Renaissance in their compositions and it is just the best music to listen to.

You can’t go wrong with Handel for sacred choral music, however.

Even your house plants will flourish in health when such glorious music is played.  Thanks for the memory, Stan.
A glorious Christmas blessing to everyone as we read that old, old story of the Incarnation mysterious miracle of God’s grace displayed in a new born God-man-child.

Jess

Thanks Jess and it is great to hear from you again.

From Martin Luther:

“In our Christian Creed we confess that Christ was conceived and made man or was incarnate (if I may so speak), that He became a real human being by assuming a body. We confess that He assumed genuine flesh and blood from the Virgin Mary, that He did not pass through her as the sun shines through a glass but brought her virgin flesh and blood with Him. If this had taken place only with the cooperation of Mary, the Babe would not have been pure. But though Mary has been conceived in sin, the Holy Spirit takes her flesh and blood and purifies them; and thence He creates the body of the Son of God. This is why it is said that “He was conceived by the Holy Ghost.” Thus He assumed a genuine body from His mother Mary, but this body was cleansed from sin by the Holy Spirit. If this were not the case, WE WOULD NOT BE SAVED.”
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There are some in the SDA church who insist on saying that Jesus had a sinful nature. If this were the case, as Luther pointed out we would not be saved. So, those who teach that Christ had a sinful nature are preaching another Jesus.

Stan

Here are some more great Christmas quotes:

“Infinite and yet an infant.

Eternal and yet born of a woman.

Almighty, and yet nursing at a woman’s breast.

Supporting a universe, and yet needing to be carried in a mother’s arms.

Heir of all things, and yet the carpenter’s despised son.”

--Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“That man should be made in God’s image is a wonder,

but that God should be made in man’s image is a greater wonder.

That the Ancient of Days would be born.

That He who thunders in the heavens should cry in the cradle?”

-Thomas Watson

“Man’s Maker was made man

that the Bread might be hungry,

the Fountain thirst,

the Light sleep,

the Way be tired from the journey;

that Strength might be made weak,

that Life might die.

--Augustine

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,

and we have seen his glory,

glory as of the only Son from the Father,

full of grace and truth.”

(John 1:14)

A most blessed and Merry Christmas everyone!

Stan

HOPE HAS COME

“Let us join with the angel voices
Let us join their happy song
All of heaven and earth rejoices
For the Lamb of God has come
He has come to rescue sinners
Come to meet our desperate need
He was born to bring forgiveness
Born for Calvary

Alleluia, Hope has come
Alleluia, Christ has come
We once were slaves in misery
Till You appeared and set us free
Alleluia, Hope has come

Let us lay our gifts before Him
Let us magnify His Name
With our thankful hearts adore Him
For the Lord has come to save
He has come to break sin’s power
He has come to set us free
Hope was born that glorious hour
Christ the mighty King

Hallelujah!

Stan

Glory Be to God

Glory be to God on high
Let peace on earth descend
God comes down before our eyes
To Bethlehem
God invisible appears
Endless ages wrapped in years
He has come who cannot change
And Jesus is His name

Emptied of His majesty
He comes in human form
Being’s source begins to be
And God is born
All our griefs He’ll gladly share
All our sins He’ll fully bear
He will cover our disgrace
And suffer in our place

Let the joyful news ring out
The Prince of Peace proclaim
Lift your heart and voice to shout
Immanuel’s name
God has kept His promises
What a work of grace this is
Son of Mary, chosen One
The Lamb of God has come

Hosanna, hosanna
The Lamb of God has come
Hosanna, hosanna
He is the promised One

Glory be to God on high
Let peace on earth descend
God comes down before our eyes
To Bethlehem
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Soli Deo Gloria,

Stan

Posted anonymously by: Anonymous

Stan

Thank you for sharing the great quotes above.  To all of you on this forum, a wonderful Christmas!

Bob

Stan, thanks for sharing those quotes and songs with us. It is a good time of year to reflect on what God accomplished for us in Christ, humbling and subjecting himself to the most lowly position to save us from our sins. Ours is the only God who has done this, paying the price and performing all that is necessary to reconcile his wayward children to himself. We don’t ascend to his level, he condescends to come down to us, dying for us “while we were yet sinners” (Romans 5:6-11).

Merry Christmas everyone!

Soli deo gloria,

Greg

For unto us a child is born,unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful,Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.Isaiah 9:6.

Merry Christmas greetings to all who write on this forum and readers as well. May Jesus Christ bless you all in the coming year 2008 and may his name be praised always.

Thanks Bob, Phen B, Greg, Jess, Guibox, Gabriel, Dennis, Aaron, Jonvil, Deacon, Dwayne, Diana, Dee Anna, Ane, Glennsprings, Randy, Denise, and everyone who has posted on this forum in the past year. Thanks for the great dialogue. We don’t all agree on all issues, but this is a great forum to discuss issues without any fear of having posts removed because the posts don’t fit a particular agenda.

Thanks Greg for putting together a terrific website, and I look forward to the coming year of more discussion on the wonders of the gospel of sovereign grace.

I think we all agree that the Lord Jesus Christ humbled Himself and was born into this world to save sinners. Let us rejoice in this great truth this Christmas season!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Stan

deleted

[quote author="Stan Ermshar"]Thanks Bob, Phen B, Greg, Jess, Guibox, Gabriel, Dennis, Aaron, Jonvil, Deacon, Dwayne, Diana, Dee Anna, Ane, Glennsprings, Randy, Denise, and everyone who has posted on this forum in the past year. Thanks for the great dialogue. We don’t all agree on all issues, but this is a great forum to discuss issues without any fear of having posts removed because the posts don’t fit a particular agenda.

Thanks Greg for putting together a terrific website, and I look forward to the coming year of more discussion on the wonders of the gospel of sovereign grace.

I think we all agree that the Lord Jesus Christ humbled Himself and was born into this world to save sinners. Let us rejoice in this great truth this Christmas season!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Stan

Yes, (a belated) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone, and a special thanks for Greg and Stan for their work on this site.