Dear BRMC family,

Two thousand years ago, Jesus came to fulfil God’s dream for a world where love would determine attitudes and actions, where justice, mercy, and generosity are extended to all, and where gentleness, humility, empathy, and kindness govern lives, neighbourhoods, and nations. Jesus’ aim was to establish the reign of God in an increasingly violent world, one in which we see an escalating disregard for all that God holds dear.

Into this arena, the prophet Isaiah’s voice continues to ring true:

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. (Isaiah 9:2 ESV)

The light presaged by Isaiah was revealed in Christ. It shone in the darkness of the world then, and continues to shine in our darkness now. That unflinching, unwavering, flame of life assures us that Jesus is with us and has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. How reassuring it is to be able to hold fast to His presence in the crucible of our present darkness.

A crucible is defined by Merriam-Webster as being “a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development”. While acknowledging the challenging reality of this world, where “concentrated forces” of evil seek to cause and influence the rejection of God and His Kingdom values, my prayer is that we might continue to cling to Jesus. He is the Almighty God who can use evil intent and situations for His good purposes just as He did for Joseph (Gen. 50:20). He is the Lord of Hosts at work causing and influencing us to act as agents of His grace.

This is evident in the lives of five unlikely women featured in our Advent sermon series, “Mothers of the Messiah”. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary were women with little social standing, facing difficult choices amidst geopolitical turmoil. And yet, God shone His light into the crucible of their lives, causing and influencing them to act as agents of His grace.

This Christmas, may the light prophesied by Isaiah and realised in Christ shine brightly in each one of us. Echoing the words of Pastor Chris Tiegreen, a prolific author of devotionals, I pray that we might learn to live with “the awareness that Jesus is not only with you, he’s in you.” I pray that we might experience His presence as a “living reality” by learning to speak with Jesus as if He were in the room with us, make decisions as though he’s in our thoughts, and allow our feelings to be so intertwined with His that we might feel His divine heartbeat.

May the Advent and Christmas season bring you a special touch of grace as Pastors Daniel, Kai Ming, Gilbert, Joshua, and the BRMC staff team join me in wishing you and your loved ones a very blessed Christmas and a happy New Year!

In the light of Christ’s Love,

Wendy

Rev Dr Wendy Watson