With God, All Things are Possible: A Christmas Message from the President

He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
    and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
 and the rich he has sent away empty.

Luke 1:51-53 (ESV)

Stained glass window of the NativityThis coming fourth Sunday of Advent is the Sunday of the Magnificat, the Song of Mary from Luke chapter 1. In a recent Christianity Today article, IWS Trustee David Neff pointed out that many of the contemporary settings of the Magnificat omit the portion of the canticle referring to the humiliation of the arrogant, and exaltation of the humble, the blessing of the poor and the dismissal of the rich. The orientation of these verses is certainly counter-intuitive to our thinking, even to our culture, and frankly difficult for us to accept or believe. While the words sound wonderfully spiritual, they actually demand a challenging re-orientation of perspective and conduct.

I suspect that there is an implied intentionality to these words, much like Jesus’ words to the rich young ruler (“…sell all that you have and distribute to the poor…and come, follow me”), or the benediction of the poor in the Beatitudes (“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God”). It is not just those who find themselves in poverty and humble circumstances who are candidates for blessing, but also those who follow and live into the way of Jesus by becoming servants, poor and humble in spirit, so that others may find life, joy and restoration in the house of our Father God.

We are called to participate with our Lord Jesus in His impoverishment and humility of spirit, the impoverishment of the King of Kings born in a rude and lowly stable with a feed trough for a crib, the humility of the God of the universe who died so we may live forever.

This Christmas may the Kingdom of God come ever more fully into our hearts, our families, our relationships and our world as we strive to tread the path of poverty and humility for the sake of others. How, we may ask? Only by trusting in God and his finished work in Jesus Christ can we live beyond the sinfulness of our arrogance and avarice. With God, and only with God, all things are possible!

Thanks be to God!

On behalf of the trustees, faculty and staff of the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, thank you for your generous support of our God-given mission this year. May the Lord bless you richly with the reality of his presence this Christmas season and always. Merry Christmas!

The Lord be with you,
James R. Hart, President


The IWS Fund and Scholarship Fund

If you have not yet taken the opportunity to remember the work and mission of IWS in your 2012 giving, please prayerfully consider partnering with us. Your participation at any level is vital and appreciated. Checks should be sent to IWS, 151 Kingsley Ave., Orange Park, FL 32073. Tax deductible donations may also be made online. Gifts may be designated in memory or honor of a loved one, and/or may be anonymous. Your prayerful and sacrificial generosity toward the Lord’s work through the ministry of IWS is absolutely vital to the mission of worship renewal.

Annual Report Is Now Available

If you haven’t done so, please take a moment to read our 2011-12 Annual Report. You will find it to be an enjoyable and interesting read. Join us in thanking all who have made this year an unprecedented success! You are encouraged to forward this link to interested friends and potential students.

A Holiday Postscript

This Celtic Christmas Carol has become a holiday favorite of my family, and I want to share it with you. Particularly appropriate to this devotional is the line sung by Mary to her newborn son: “Unworthy I of you.”

About the author

Dr. James R. Hart served as President of the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies from 2007-2024. Dr. Hart was a member of the first IWS doctoral class, the Alpha class, and served as Dean of Students during his matriculation. After graduating from IWS, Dr. Webber appointed him as the Dean of Administration, and then Provost in 2006. In June of 2007, he was inaugurated as the second president of IWS. Dr. Hart holds a B.M. in Sacred Music from Oral Roberts University, an M.M. in Trumpet Performance from the University of Tulsa, and a D.W.S. from the Institute for Worship Studies. He was critical to the formation of IWS in Florida and has held administrative responsibilities since its inception in 1999. He is a professional trumpeter, choral director, and worship leader, and a published composer/arranger, songwriter, and author. He has been involved in worship leadership in various contexts around the globe for over 40 years and has taught in the areas of worship, theology, and music in various conferences, colleges, and seminaries. Dr. Hart and his wife, Carol, have three daughters and three grandchildren.

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