11 December - Word of God

Reading

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

Reflection

"In the beginning…" So John the evangelists begins his gospel. Matthew, in giving the genealogy of Jesus goes back to Abraham, the father of God's people (although there are a few Gentiles found on the list). Luke's genealogy of Jesus' ancestry goes all the way back to Adam and so embraces the whole human race. We are all brothers and sisters in Jesus' family. John, however, goes back to the very origins of God himself. "In the beginning" echoes the first words of Genesis and creation but John speaks of an even earlier beginning, a beginning that has no beginning but stretches infinitely back into the eternity of God himself. We use words as a way of communicating self. And there are many different kinds of words: superficial, deep, constructive, destructive, factual, emotional, funny, sad, encouraging, discouraging, loving, abusive... God's Word is special. It is creative (as ours too can be). God's Word does not just communicate an idea. It is active; it brings things into existence. Everything that exists flows from the creative Word of God. In a special way it brings into being; it gives life. A real word, too, communicates its speaker. Communication comes not just from our mouth but from our whole body. We speak of "body language". We can communicate very effectively by not saying anything at all, by remaining coldly silent, by turning our backs, by the expression on our face, by a warm smile or an ear to ear grin.

Prayer

Lord by our words forgive.
Lord by our words might others know you.
Lord by our words might others experience you.
Lord by our words might others receive your love.
Lord by our words bring healing.
Amen.

10 December - Lamb of God

Reading

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfilment in the kingdom of God." After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. Luke 22:14-20

Reflection

Passover commemorated Israel’s escape from Egypt when the blood of a lamb painted on their doorframes saved their firstborn sons from death (Exodus 12). This event foreshadowed Jesus’ work on the cross. As the spotless Lamb of God, his blood would be spilled in order to save his people from the penalty of death brought by sin. In Old Testament times, God agreed to forgive people’s sins if they brought animals for the priests to sacrifice. But animal blood did not in itself remove sin (only God can forgive sin), and animal sacrifices had to be repeated day by day and year after year. Jesus instituted a “new covenant” or agreement between humans and God. Under this new covenant, Jesus would die in the place of sinners. Unlike the blood of animals, his blood (because he is God) would truly remove the sins of all who put their faith in him. Jesus’ sacrifice would never have to be repeated; it would be good for all eternity. The prophets looked forward to this new covenant that would fulfil the old sacrificial agreement (Jeremiah 31:31-34), and John the Baptist called Jesus “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice for me, your body broken, your blood shed. As I remember what you have done for me, through the symbols of bread and the wine, may I know my sins forgiven, my life renewed, as I live for you each day. Amen

Fancy a quiz? A Christmas Quiz?

Carols – Can you identify the Carol from the Lyric?

1. To touch their harps of gold
2. Radiant beams from Thy holy face
3. Close by me for ever and love me, I pray
4. To you in David’s town this day Is born of David’s line
5. Born, the King of angels:
6. Love and watch the lowly maiden
7. Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.
8. While mortals sleep, the angels keep
9. And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
10. When the snow lay round about Deep and crisp and even;

Another quiz to follow

9 December - Lord of Lord's

Reading
But you, man of God, flee from all ungodliness, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honour and might forever. Amen. Italics are my addition, please see verses 1 – 10 for the ungodliness this refers to. MTC 1 Tim. 6:11-16

Reflection

Perhaps the most astonishing and scandalizing element of the early Christians' proclamation concerning Jesus was their statement that he was Lord (Greek kurios). To the Jews who did not accept Jesus this was blasphemy, since the title was reserved only for Yahweh, the transcendent God of the entire universe. The word kurios does not necessarily have religious significance; it can mean "sir," "master" or "owner." One of the more common connotations of kurios is in Acts 25:26, where the Roman official Festus refers to the emperor as to kurio, "the Lord." The word was also used as a polite form of address to a stranger, as in John 12:21 where the Greeks address Philip as kurie, "Lord". Nevertheless, when the early Church said that God had made Jesus "Lord," it was clear that they meant Jesus' divinity by the term, and it became the principal title to refer to Christ thus acknowledging his true nature, as the Son of God. Accordingly, saying that Jesus was the Lords of Lords, was affirming him as the Lord, master, leader over all things, on earth and in heaven! Is Jesus Lord to us, is he the leader of our lives, are we willing to follow the master?

Prayer
Lord of Lords and King of Kings, may I give you all the glory, all the worship of my life, today and everyday. Amen

8 December - Good Shepherd

Reading

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

Reflection

Christ is the Good Shepherd, who continually cares for the sheep, never abandoning the sheep in times of peril; this is the opposite, to the hired hand, who were not only careless in their duty, and so by their neglect the flock were hurt, but who will abandon the sheep, if peril or trial should come. And so, Christ like any Good Shepherd, knows his sheep. Christ our Saviour, knows whom he has chosen, and as his people, we know who we have trusted, and we are therefore sure of Him.
Christ as our Good Shepherd walks with us in trail or peril, or using the imagery of a shepherd lifts us up on his shoulders and carries us. In this passage from John, we recognise the amazing grace of Christ; since none could demand his life of him, he laid it down of himself for our redemption. He offered himself to be the Saviour.

Prayer
Lord may I hear your voice this day, calling my name. May I have the confidence to know, that whatever I am going through, you are with me. Thank you, that you love me so much, that you laid down your life in love for me, that I may know grace and love, forgiveness and peace, life to its fullest in you. Amen

7 December - Second Sunday in Advent - Priest

Reading

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:14-17

Reflection
In the Old Testament, the high priest was the mediator between God and his people. His job was to regularly offer animal sacrifices according to the law and to intercede with God for forgiveness for the people’s sins. But on one special day in the year, there was the Day of Atonement, during this once-a-year ceremony; a sacrifice was made for the sins of the entire Israelite nation. This was the only day; the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, the innermost room of the tabernacle. Here he asked God to forgive the people. The Day of Atonement served as a reminder that the daily, weekly, and monthly sacrifices could cover sins only temporarily. It pointed toward Jesus Christ, the perfect atonement, who could remove sins forever.
Jesus Christ is now our high priest. He came to earth as a human being; therefore, he understands our weaknesses and shows mercy to us. He has once and for all paid the penalty for our sins by his own sacrificial death (atonement), and he can be depended on to restore our broken relationship with God. Christ is our advocate, the mediator between us and God. He looks after our interests and makes perpetual intercession before God, for us, sitting at the right hand of the father. We can have the assurance that Christ’s sacrifice has released from sin’s power over us, when we commit ourselves fully to Christ, trusting completely in what he has done for us.

Prayer

Christ my Saviour, my Lord, thank you that I am wonderfully loved, completely forgiven, may I live for you, this day and always. Amen

6 December - Healer

Reading
“Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed”. Matthew 14:33-36

Reflection

This passage comes at the end of Jesus walking on the sea of Galilee. The disciples who were at first terrified, and somewhat amazed, not least when Peter attempts to walk on water as well, finally exclaim “truly you are the Son Of God” to what they have witnessed. It must be said, that the people recognized Jesus as a great healer, but I wonder how many understood who he truly was? Yes they came to Jesus for physical healing, but did they come for spiritual healing? They came to prolong their lives on earth, but did they come to secure their eternal lives? Just as 2000 years ago, and today, people may well seek Jesus, to learn valuable lessons from his life or in hopes of finding relief from pain. But I believe, that we miss Jesus’ whole message, if we seek him only to heal our bodies, but not our souls, if we look to him for help only in this life, rather than for his eternal plan for us. For it is only when we understand the real Jesus Christ, can we appreciate how he can truly change our lives.

Prayer

Lord give me the faith, to recognise Christ as my Saviour, my Lord and my Friend. May this be the prayer, of my heart, my whole being, not just my lips. Thank you, that you offer healing of body, mind and spirit, through your victory on the cross, and that one day I will wholly praise, in heaven, for all eternity. Amen

5 December - Mighty God

Reading
‘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, Counseller,
The mighty God,
The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.’ (AV)

Reflection

It’s not only hard, it’s impossible to imagine just how mighty Jesus is. Before his ascension, he tells his followers that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him. Paul in Colossians attempts to grasp the bounds of this might in a hymn:

“For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth: everything visible and everything invisible, thrones, ruling forces, sovereignties, powers- all things were created through him and for him.He exists before all things and in him all things hold together.”(1.16&17)

Why should we fear ‘though the earth should rock’, when we have such a Saviour?

Prayer

‘Be still my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know His voice who ruled them
while he dwelt below.’

Katherina von Schlegel (b.1697)

4 December - Redeemer

Reading
‘It is because the Lord loves you, and is keeping the oath which he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has redeemed you from the house of bondage.’ (RSV)Deuteronomy 7.8

‘In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 14 which is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.’ (RSV)
Ephesians 1.7&14

Reflection

From its basic meaning to buy back by paying a ransom, the term redeemer was extended within Hebrew Scriptures, to cover major deliverances of any kind, whether or not a payment was involved. Above all was the liberation of the Hebrew tribes from the bondage of their Egyptian oppressors.

In the Hellenistic world of New Testament writers, the daily sight of human slave trafficking, provided a powerful symbolism to represent what Christ had done for humanity.

‘By identifying himself with humans in their temptations, trials, hopelessness, suffering and death, Christ paid an immeasurably costly price and brought into being a new humanity, bearing his image and committed to following his example.

Prayer

‘There is a redeemer, Jesus, God’s own Son
Precious lamb of God, Messiah, Holy One
Thank you O my Father,
For giving us your Son,
And leaving your Spirit-
Till the work on earth is done.’ (Melody Green)

3 December - The Christ

Reading

‘So the word became flesh; he came to dwell among us and we saw his glory, such glory as befits the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.’ John 1. 14 Christ the incarnate Word.

Reflection

What’s in a word ?

The word ‘Christ’, from the Greek Christos meaning ‘the anointed’, is used for the Hebrew word ‘Messiah’, ‘one who is anointed’ by the 70 scholars translating the Hebrew bible into Greek in the centuries immediately before Christ’s birth.
But while the Jewish tradition understands ‘Messiah’ as a human being without any overtone of deity or divinity, for Christians ‘Christ’ becomes the pre existent ‘Son of God’, revealing the mystery of God’s very self in human form, emptied of all but love, that we might become part of the Father’s heart.

Prayer

‘Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to min me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.’

St. Patrick’s Breastplate (5th -7th cent. Gaelic)

Advent retreat

I am in Leicestershire looking at sheep through the snow and sleet which is falling. In the midst of the space has been reflections on Mary's Song, Zechariah's Song and Simeon and Anna's song. Our challenege is to write a poem or reflection on what we feel at Advent. For me this is hard especially with how I feel at the moment , nevertheless here goes...

It's all confused
It's all upside down

"Now let your servant depart in peace" - to what and why?

Simeon - Old, pious and just was drawn
to wait for Israel's consolation
as a watchman awaits the dawn.

Anna, she offered her widow's mite
praying and fasting in adoration
for many a day and many a night

Now I uncertain, frail and alone
Long to remember his favour and grace
As I humbly kneel before his throne.

So God calls me to put my dreams in his hands
releasing the grip that once held them
forever surrendering my plans

And as I lay them down at his feet
I turn not knowing
How, when I may be complete

So as I leave this place
and pray like Anna in hopeful expectation
that I this Advent may see your face.

2 December - King of Kings

Reading

Jesus replied, “Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my men would have fought to prevent me being surrendered to the Jews. As it is, my kingdom does not belong here.” Pilate said, “ So, then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “It is you who say that I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this, to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.” (JB) John 18:36-37

Reflection

Matthew’s Gospel begins with Iranian Magi from the Persian Empire (where the title king of kings was first used) seeking the infant king of the Jews (ch.2.2)- A king great enough to affect stars in their courses and bring the earths wisest to their knees. By the end of the Gospel Jesus reveals, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
But just in case, like Pilate, we become obsessed by power and glory, Jesus earths us in the need always to seek truth.

Prayer

They all were looking for a king
To slay their foes
and lift them high
Thou cam’st a little Baby thing
That made a woman cry.’
George MacDonald (1824-1905)

Lord Jesus,
King of kings and Lord of lords
the only ruler of princes
Help me not to seek to possess truth
but to strive towards its goal

1 December - Cornerstone

Reading

“The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.
This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” (RSV) Psalm 118.22-23
(See also Matthew.21-42 & Ephesians 2.20)

Reflection

I’d always imagined this stone to be a foundation stone, laid as buildings begin to take shape. But Paul and Matthew both give me the image of a final testing stone that either completes the structure or brings it crashing down.
To be built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, I am led to reflect:

Whose are the lives I am building my own life on?

And to stand ready to be brought crashing down and reshaped by the Christ who comes

Prayer

‘O Christ, the master carpenter
who at the last
through wood and nails
purchased our whole salvation
wield well your tools
in the workshop of your world
so that we
who come rough-hewn to your bench
may here be fashioned
to a truer beauty of your hand.’

(Prayer of the Iona Community)

1st Sunday in Advent - I am

Reading

“Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?”
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (RSV) Exodus 3:13-14

Reflection

Our roots lie deep in the journey of faith. Moses, rooted in Abraham’s response, finds himself in the presence.

Knowing a name brings with it a sense of power and so Moses is keen to know the name he should use. But this reply takes him to depths and heights far beyond any time trapped deity of his owning.

Tell them “I AM WHO I AM” or “I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE” has sent you.

Prayer

Lord of Life
Beyond our conceiving
You reveal yourself
As only you can
Bring me again to hear you saying
Here I am in the birth of a babe
Here I will be
In the unfathomable abyss of Love.

Advent Meditation - The Wait is on

Daily reflections and meditations will be posted here - created by the Presbyters of the Warrington Circuit.

waiting

longing

anticipating

promise

preparation