Advent
Christmas Day: Mary’s Story
| Women of the Nativity / 4 |
Happy Christmas! Hoping you have a very love-filled and joy-filled day. It is Christmas Day! A day of celebration and joy! A day we remember that God Himself chose to come to earth because He loves us so much. But it is also a day to pause and reflect. Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. In the excitement of presents, food, family and friends, let us not forget to treasure the greatest gift that we can ever receive - the gift of God with us! Read more
Happy Christmas! Hoping you have a very love-filled and joy-filled day. It is Christmas Day! A day of celebration and joy! A day we remember that God Himself chose to come to earth because He loves us so much. But it is also a day to pause and reflect. Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. In the excitement of presents, food, family and friends, let us not forget to treasure the greatest gift that we can ever receive - the gift of God with us! Read more
Elizabeth’s Story
| Women of the Nativity / 3 |
As we continue to follow our Advent series, using the book ‘Women of the Nativity: An Advent and Christmas journey in nine stories’ by Paula Gooder, we turn our attention to Elizabeth and Zechariah. This couple had been diligently serving God their whole lives, but remained childless until they received unexpected joy from God who promised a son. What joys, expected or unexpected, do you have? How can you share your joy with others so that they may join you in praising God? Read more
As we continue to follow our Advent series, using the book ‘Women of the Nativity: An Advent and Christmas journey in nine stories’ by Paula Gooder, we turn our attention to Elizabeth and Zechariah. This couple had been diligently serving God their whole lives, but remained childless until they received unexpected joy from God who promised a son. What joys, expected or unexpected, do you have? How can you share your joy with others so that they may join you in praising God? Read more
Sarah’s Story
| Women of the Nativity / 2 |
The story of Christmas, of God coming down to dwell with His creation is bigger than just the events of the Nativity as found recorded in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. The story of Christmas echoes throughout the whole of human history. Matthew’s gospel recognises that the story of Christ begins long ago, as he starts his gospel with the genealogy of Jesus, starting with Abraham who fathered Isaac. Which is why we are spending time looking at the story of Abraham and Sarah this week. Read more
The story of Christmas, of God coming down to dwell with His creation is bigger than just the events of the Nativity as found recorded in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. The story of Christmas echoes throughout the whole of human history. Matthew’s gospel recognises that the story of Christ begins long ago, as he starts his gospel with the genealogy of Jesus, starting with Abraham who fathered Isaac. Which is why we are spending time looking at the story of Abraham and Sarah this week. Read more
Disturb routines to make room for the spectacular
| Advent 2023 / 4 |
The Magi saw the star in the sky and knew something amazing was happening, a child had been born who was going to change the world. Despite being from another culture, another religion, they were open to being disturbed by God, allowing God to direct them to see someone spectacular. How are we being disturbed by God to see the spectacular? Readings Matthew 2:1-18
The Magi saw the star in the sky and knew something amazing was happening, a child had been born who was going to change the world. Despite being from another culture, another religion, they were open to being disturbed by God, allowing God to direct them to see someone spectacular. How are we being disturbed by God to see the spectacular? Readings Matthew 2:1-18
Disturb corruption to make room for justice
| Advent 2023 / 3 |
King Herod liked to pretend that he was King of the Jews, and so when the Magi informed him of the news of Jesus’ birth, he was disturbed. Herod reigned with fear, intimidation and corruption. Jesus reigns with justice, righteousness and compassion. The birth of Jesus demonstrates the beginning of God establishing His Kingdom of justice on earth. But it is not fully here yet. We still see such corruption and injustice in the world. How can we live lives of justice that make an impact in the world around us? How can we change the way we interact with people that we have power and authority over? Let us live lives that follow Jesus’ example of how to wield power and authority. Read more
King Herod liked to pretend that he was King of the Jews, and so when the Magi informed him of the news of Jesus’ birth, he was disturbed. Herod reigned with fear, intimidation and corruption. Jesus reigns with justice, righteousness and compassion. The birth of Jesus demonstrates the beginning of God establishing His Kingdom of justice on earth. But it is not fully here yet. We still see such corruption and injustice in the world. How can we live lives of justice that make an impact in the world around us? How can we change the way we interact with people that we have power and authority over? Let us live lives that follow Jesus’ example of how to wield power and authority. Read more
