Advent 22nd December

Don’t let it escape your notice, dear friends, that with the Lord a single day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a single day. The Lord isn’t slow to keep his promise, as some think of slowness, but he is patient toward you, not wanting anyone to perish but all to change their hearts and lives. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day the heavens will pass away with a dreadful noise, the elements will be consumed by fire, and the earth and all the works done on it will be exposed. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be? You must live holy and godly lives,  waiting for and hastening the coming day of God. Because of that day, the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt away in the flames. But according to his promise we are waiting for a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. Preparing for Christ’s coming in judgment  Therefore, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found by him in peace—pure and faultless. 2 Peter 3:8-14

Readings

Malachi 3:1-4,
John 1:11-17,
2 Peter 3:8-14

Reflection

Advent is a time of anticipation. We look forward to Christmas with the beauty of winter, family gatherings and a break from the every day.  Though we remember that for various reasons, many do not   have these positive images of the Christmas season.  Yet one thing that brings hope is that this season calls us to a higher sense of being and  purpose. No matter what  our images  of Christmas, together we can look forward to a renewal of God's message to us: Jesus. This passage in 2 Peter talks about looking forward to renewal with a sense of anticipation. As the reader, we are met with images of anticipation for the carrying out of God’s promises in a world where the believers were still extremely persecuted. The author reminds the early Christians that God is not forgetful; rather, God is merciful. What an encouragement!

Prayer

Light of light, Lord of Lords and King of Kings
In excitement we approach the dawn.
Re-awaken in us the Spirit of grace and mercy that
we may receive you once again.
Bring peace to those who are in distress,
peace where there is hatred.

In your saving name Amen

Advent 21st December

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:18-21

Readings

2 Samuel 7:1-14,
Hosea 11
Matthew 1:18-24

Reflection

Can you imagine the thoughts that must have gone through Joseph and Mary’s minds in  all that was taking place before them? Mary had at first been greatly troubled by the news from the angel Gabriel and asked, “How can this be?” (Luke 1:26-35). Joseph thought of putting her away secretly (Matt. 1:19) for Mary was engaged to him, yet was with child. That was truly a shock. How would you have responded? Obedience or denial? Acceptance or refusal? Yet like Mary and Joseph perhaps we may also ponder – “What child is this, why was this Babe, the Son of Mary born in a lowly stable?” Let us bring forth our incense, gold, and myrrh (prayers, possessions, praises) and lay them before the feet of Jesus just as those kings came and worshipped Him. May we be worshippers of Immanuel as we gather during this Advent season both in our individual homes and as a corporate body, for we are the church of the living God. As Joseph and Mary obeyed the words of the angel may we be obedient to the call of God in our lives. Joy, joy for Christ is born, the Babe, the Son of Mary. Is Christ born in you? “

Prayer

Lord, forgive me when I doubt your voice. 

Forgive me for the moments when I allow the world to speak so loudly that I cannot hear the tenderness of your whisper. 

Help me to be attentive to your voice, your word, your calling upon my life that I too may respond like Mary Joseph and be obedient.

Amen

Advent 20th December

"The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people.  It educates us so that we can live sensible, ethical, and godly lives right now by rejecting ungodly lives and the desires of this world. At the same time we wait for the blessed hope and the glorious appearance of our great God and saviour Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us in order to rescue us from every kind of lawless behaviour, and cleanse a special people for himself who are eager to do good actions".Titus 2: 11-14

Readings

 

Psalm 46, 
Isaiah 60:1-3

Titus 2:11-14

Reflection

 

We don’t have long to go and the countdown is on.  In the silence of the night where do your thoughts go?  When all is quiet and you hear the ticking of the clock, the creaking of the house, who and what do you think of?

Can the silent night be a holy one?  We have a few days left and it will be busy. So in the last week... be still and listen. Quiet us, Lord, that we might be able to hear, over the noise of our busy lives, beyond the clutter of our Christmas preparations;   Help us to become still, even for a moment, that we might hear the herald of your angel voices: "Glory!", "Peace on Earth", "Mercy", "Reconciliation", "Joy!" ...."Christ is born."  The message of the ages still rings out for those willing to listen. This is our desire. Open our ears that we might hear.

Today ... Now. 

Prayers

Thank you, Lord, for knowing me better than I know myself, and for letting me know myself better than others know me. 

Help me to grow in grace, faith and discipleship. Holy God I consider the things of my life that I keep hidden from others. 

Show me how I may lay down the obstacles of life that prevent me from drawing closer to you. Teach me your ways God. Amen

Advent 19th December

“That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord’s glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened. But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. This very day in King David’s hometown a Saviour was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay.”  Suddenly many other angels came down from heaven and joined in praising God. They said: “Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who please God.” Luke 2:8-14

Readings:

Isaiah 49:8-13, 

Psalm 134, 

Luke 2:8-14

Reflection

We can be sure of one thing: these shepherds would never, ever in their whole lives forget this night. What strong emotions experienced all in one single  night! We rarely forget a night when we were “terribly frightened.” We all remember someone playing a joke on us, scaring us at night. But this for the shepherds  - this was something else—nothing ever happened to a shepherd. Their lives were boring—as boring as can be—but no more for when an angel appeared things would never be the same again. When joined by a multitude  of the heavenly host the shepherds would certainly have an unforgettable image in their souls. Yet none of this, however, could compare with what the shepherds experienced when they came to Bethlehem, found their way to Mary and Joseph, and saw the baby Jesus lying in the manger. This most captivating nativity scene was now imprinted upon the souls of the shepherds. Though we did not witness the scene, though we were not present, the Christmas night can become a reality in the lives of all who believe in Jesus. Like the shepherds many years ago, we can glorify and praise God for all that we have heard and seen, “just as [has been] told.”

 

Prayer 

 

Come, Lord Jesus! Come!. 

Abide in me, dwell with me, as I continue my journey through this Advent season by the presence of your Holy Spirit. 

Open my eyes that I might see you, my ears that I might hear you, my heart, home, church and life that I might welcome you, the Word made Flesh, until at last all your good purposes for me are completely fulfilled.  

Amen

Advent 18th December

"The angel greeted Mary and said, “You are truly blessed! The Lord is with you.” Mary was confused by the angel’s words and wondered what they meant. Then the angel told Mary, “Don’t be afraid! God is pleased with you, and you will have a son. His name will be Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of God Most High. The Lord God will make him king, as his ancestor David was. He will rule the people of Israel forever, and his kingdom will never end.”Mary asked the angel, “How can this happen? I am not married!” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come down to you, and God’s power will come over you. So your child will be called the holy Son of God. Your relative Elizabeth is also going to have a son, even though she is old. No one thought she could ever have a baby, but in three months she will have a son. Nothing is impossible for God!” Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant! Let it happen as you have said.” Luke 1:27-38

Readings

Psalm 20, 

Jeremiah 33:14-16, 

Luke 1:26-38,

Reflection

The angel’s greeting of Mary in this text has been a source of interest for 2,000 years. What are we to make of the salutation “Greetings, favoured one, the Lord is with you”? When you read the entire passage it perhaps becomes clear that the focus is really not on Mary at all, but rather on the One who would be called the holy Son of God, sent to reign over the house of Jacob forever, and whose Kingdom will have no end. But what of this curious greeting? Mary found favour with God the same way that you and I find favour with God: by grace alone! We don’t know why Mary was chosen to bear Jesus in her womb any more than we know why God chose Israel as His people, or you and I as His beloved sons and daughters. But we do know clearly from Scripture that God’s choosing is always a product of His grace, not our effort. It is by Jesus’ merit, not our own. Mary did indeed find favour with God, and in exactly the same way that you and I have found favour with God. May we honour God by our lives as Mary did.

Prayer

I depend on you so much.

You are a rock for my belief and a sign of God's love.
Fill me with your praise!

I want to sing your glory,

filled with joy for the message of hope you send.
Amen