From the squalor of a borrowed stable,
by the spirit and a virgin's faith;
to the anguish and the shame of scandal
came the Saviour of the human race!
But the skies were filled with the praise of heav'n,
shepherds listen as the angels tell of the Gift of God
come down to man at the dawning of Immanuel
Readings
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Psalm 145
2 Peter 3:9
Reflection
The reading proposed for today from Samuel 2 lets us know that God is always with us. David thought he had to build for God a permanent home and God gently said no. Of course if you read the surrounding passage, you can find other explanations as to why God would not let David build his temple. However, God did not need a “real” home in order to be with the Israelites. He was with them all through history, he didn’t always give them what they thought they wanted, but he was always with them. Sometimes we think that the church building is where God dwells, but just as with the Israelites, God dwells in each of us. We are the church.
Also, this passage establishes an agreement between God and David that is realized in Jesus. Though David probably would have seen the promise to have a throne “established forever” as having a physical descendant on the throne throughout time, we have the benefit of seeing this promise through the New Testament, where we can match up prophecy and understand that the descendant of David is one man, Jesus, who will rule throughout time. Jesus is the fulfilment of the promise. God keeps promises.
Prayer
God forgive me for promises and commitments broken.
Often the spirit is willing but the flesh is week. Help me to forgive others who have broken their promise to me. Amen
Further Prayers
We pray for the homeless and vulnerable who struggle to find shelter. For those seeking asylum and safety to be met by “no vacancy“ signs.
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