Forgetting God

O Lord, you know how busy I must be this day. If I forget you, do not forget me.
(Sir Jacob Astley, before the Battle of Edgehill, 1642)

Jacob Astley was a sergeant major with the Royalists who fought against the Parliamentarians in the Battle in 1642. A nobleman he came from an established Norfolk family and his first experience of war was age 18.

His characteristic battle-prayer at the Battle of Edgehill has become famous:

"O Lord, Thou knowest how busy I must be this day. If I forget Thee, do not forget me." which he followed promptly with the order "March on, boys!"

I guess at the start of a new year we are not heading into a battle which demands the strategic and military might of Jacob Astley but we do engage in a different type of struggle. Our struggle centers around ourselves, our relationships, battles with the past and fear for the present and future. In all of this I think the prayer of Jacob Astley is therefore entirely appropriate.

Let us never lose sight of the one who sustains, guides, comforts, challenges, heals, delivers and loves. Happy New Year.

The Continued Journey - 27 December

Reflection
The journey of Moses was not straightforward. He told God he did not want to lead any people anywhere if God’s presence was not going with them. What a brave and right decision. How easy to do things in our own strength fixed on our own agenda. When did you recognise Gods presence going with you into a situation and what
difference did that recognition make?

There is no place worth going without Gods presence. It is all about one major truth, we need the one who loves us enough who gave his own life. Our journeys may not be like Moses, Mary and Joseph, the magi or like our neighbour yet they are still important to God - the one who travels with us. We may flee, get diverted or never see the final earthly destination, yet with God as our guide and companion we can know fulfilment and joy in the travelling.

Prayer
Dear God,
I acknowledge my need of you. Without you my life would be void and have little purpose. At times the journey of my life seems relentlessly difficult and I struggle.

I cannot see around the corner, I do not fully know what tomorrow will bring. The paths I have chosen have not always been right but I am thankful that you, the Holy One travels with me. In my today and in my tomorrow may I trust you and may my past journey be an offering to you. Restore and guide me for I am willing to listen to you. Amen

Readings
Exodus 33:12-23, Matthew 2:1-12

Hymn/Song
Wise Men Seeking Jesus

Shh - Be Still - 26 December

Reflection
Have you ever been silent. Really silent? Sitting so still that you could sense your own breathing. Without thoughts, without worry.

“For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him” (Psalm 62)

We cannot tell what God will do in our midst, but we wait with bated breath to see it. Why? It hardly ever makes sense, our waiting on God. Why do we do it? Why do we bother? We bother because all our hope rests in God. We have nothing without God. God is our refuge, the source of our salvation. Our souls cry out to the One who saves us, so we wait for him no matter what

God is about to do something big in our midst. Are we willing to wait in intense silence to see what it will be? Are we willing to stay on the edges of our seats even when it doesn't make any rational sense? Are we willing to cling to the One we need no matter what?

Prayer
God, there are times when the waiting is hard. It seems we wait forever for you to do something, As we wait for you let us be reminded that you are always moving, always doing something within and among us, no matter how small. Help us to cling to you always. Amen

Readings
Psalm 62, Luke 2:41-52, Philippians 4:4-7

Hymn/Song
Silent Night

Jesus, Promised Child of Bethlehem - 25 December

Reflection
May you now the peace and hope of a blessed Christmas. Perhaps at one point today you may take just a moment to utter the words “O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord”. Perhaps as a grace, a private prayer - at the start and end of the day. A moment of simple worship to a God who has spanned time and space and became vulnerable and dependent because of us.

It is the call to now begin a journey of grace. Saying yes to Jesus is
acknowledging who He is; it is even giving thanks to God for “so loving the world that He sent His Son so the world may be saved through Him” (John 3:16-17). To be saved is to be healed, to be made whole or, to continue to journey with Jesus to happiness, holiness, and love.
May God bless you in the joy and struggles of this day.

Prayer
May I sing with the angels. May I hurry with the shepherds
May I seek the star with the wise men. For today Jesus is born
 
The Word is made flesh and we have seen his glory
Glory in the darkness of a stable
Glory in the humility of a manger
Glory in the love of God poured out
 
I offer my lips in praise, O Word beyond words
I offer my life in adoration, O Light transforming darkness
I offer my heart in worship, O Love without limits
May this day be filled with the light of the glory of your love

Readings
Isaiah 9:2-7, John 1:1-5, Galatians 4:4-7

Hymn/Song
Joy to the World

Places we meet God - 24 December

Reflection
A small town from one of the little clans of the Hebrew tribe of Judah. A small baby born. Small and seemingly insignificant - a town, a clan, a baby. Yet from these small things God has blessed the world with love and peace. We too are small potatoes, perhaps even insignificant in our own or others' eyes. Who knows how God might use us - how God might use you - to bless the world with the love and peace of Jesus, the holy Child of Bethlehem? The time of Advent waiting and expectation almost is over. God is at work, bringing forth hope through the Child born of Mary. Come, Lord Jesus.

On this night may we be transformed by the mystery that has been unfolded. The word did become flesh and has dwelt amongst us and that word is full of grace and truth. God continues to dwell in our streets, homes and hearts and in these places we encounter the divine.

Prayer
Gracious God, Ruler of the Nations, use me as you have used your people down through the ages to bring your blessings to the world. Fill me with your peace as the time of celebration draws near.

God be the host of this day and in my remembering and in celebrating help me to receive and extend your grace to others.I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, the Child of Bethlehem. Amen.

Readings
Psalm 121, Micah 5:2-5a. Luke 2

Hymn/Song
O Come all ye faithful

A God - Here, There and Everywhere - 23 December

Reflection
“I’m waiting for 5pm on Christmas Eve,” he said “it will be too late then.” Too late for what I wondered?. “For gifts, meeting the expectations of others and will they be disappointed on Christmas Day morning”
In the past years as I have wandered through packed shops I have seen the trolleys so full that not one more sprout could fit in. I have seen the post boxes overflowing - literally - with cards and I have seen the tension on people’s faces. What we need is a “silent night” when the pressures are lifted and exchanged for something altogether different. But then I remember a couple of people with tension, pain and fear etched on their faces over 2000 years ago and I realise that we have come full circle. No room for them and no room for Christ in so many at Christmas. I know you may have heard it before but take Christ out of Christmas and you have left M&S! And for so many - even to some extent us for us - that is what it has become. Let us put the emphasis back onto Christ, let us make room for the Holy Child of Bethlehem to descend to us again.

Prayer
Even if the gatherings in our homes do not reflect perfect love, make us into more perfect hosts at your table.
Bless those equipped to share your love with your hurting children. Remind those whose families are still divided by the damages of sin of the hope that we might someday find right fellowship with you and one another.
God with us, be Immanuel to all. Amen

Readings
Psalm 8, Luke 1, Colossians 1:15-23

Hymn/Song
O little town of Bethlehem