Advent 3 Reflection

Advent 3 Reflection

by | Dec 12, 2016 | News | 0 comments

Week 3 – The Unconquerable Gift of Joy
By Rev Sharon

Scripture Reading
“In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came to her and said, ‘Rejoice, favoured woman! The Lord is with you.’ But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. Then the angel told her: ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.'” —Luke 1:26-33

Happiness is an emotion that can disappear as quickly as it rises to the surface.

Joy, however, is a choice.

We have a choice. God gives us a joy that is unconquerable. We can choose to live in an attitude of resentment, anger and fear or we can choose to pursue the joy of Christ.

So what is the picture of joy in the Bible?

Joy is trusting when you want to doubt.

“Trust in the LORD forever, because in Yahweh, the LORD, is an everlasting rock!” (Isaiah 26:4).

As Christ followers we aren’t pressured to do it all for everyone. We trust in Jesus to do the heavy lifting. The key is trust. We just need to have Mary’s response to the coming of Jesus, “‘I am the Lord’s slave,’ said Mary. ‘May it be done to me according to your word'” (Luke 1:38).

Joy is receiving what you want to reject.

Can you imagine how the innkeeper would have felt if he said to Mary and Joseph, “Of course you can’t stay in that stable! That’s for paying customers. Who do you take me for?” We find joy in making room for people in need.

Reflect on the mysterious words found in Hebrews: “Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2).

Joy is celebrating when you want to fear.

What’s the first thing angels say to mortals? It’s standard protocol. In just about every divine encounter the angels say: “Fear not.” I can hear Jesus instruct His most trusted angels. “OK, let’s go over this again … Most of the people that I’ll tell you to speak to will be scared out of their wits! So let’s practice the greeting one more time.” Then the angels would all say in unison, “Fear not.”

Understand Why We Can Be Joyful

The message is clear. God is not looking for ways to scare us into faith. He drew near to us to relieve the worries we have about crossing over the divide between heaven and earth.
He wants you to know that He’s going to take care of you no matter what happens. One of the names that He was called long before he ever stepped on this world’s stage was Emmanuel meaning “God with us.”

No matter what you go through we can whisper this simple truth: “Jesus is with me.” Think about it. He is with you in your greatest victories and your most humiliating defeats. Jesus is with you at all times in all things.

How to Choose Joy

Invite each family member to share one thing that they’re trusting God to handle.

Write a note to someone who is experiencing fear and worry. Let them know you’re praying that God will give them the courage they need.

Make an inventory of the things that bring you joy.

Make the time and space to share a meal and a fun experience. This is such a busy week! Don’t miss the joy of sharing the experience of Christmas with each other.

Prayer for this week:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is discord, union. Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Advent 2 Reflection

Advent 2 Reflection

by | Dec 4, 2016 | News | 2 comments

second-sunday-of-advent-cliaprtAdvent Reflection
 
Week 2

Scripture Verses:

 “Sing to Yahweh, you His faithful ones, and praise His holy name. For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favour, a lifetime. Weeping may spend the night, but there is joy in the morning. When I was secure, I said, ‘I will never be shaken.'” —Psalm 30:4-6

‘Comfort, comfort My people,’ says your God. ‘Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and announce to her that her time of forced labour is over, her iniquity has been pardoned, and she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.’ A voice of one crying out: Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.'” —Isaiah 40:1-3

The Importance of Preparation

Whenever we’re on mission with God like Joseph and Mary were as they waited for the birth of Jesus, we have to prepare.

No one plants seeds one day and expects a harvest in the morning. There are things to do. We are called to cultivate our lives and rest in the fact that God has our future in his hands.

In the story of the prodigal son, Jesus tells the story of a father. This father knew that he couldn’t control the will of a rebellious, spiteful son. He just gave him what he asked for and let him go. But after the son left with his share of the farm in his back pocket, the father began to prepare for a celebration. He started fattening a calf. He bought a ring and a robe. There were things to be done. Their relationship was broken, but he still had hope as he watched every afternoon for a familiar figure to appear over the horizon.

Preparation is a statement of faith. It’s committing to trust even though you’re hurting and heartsick.

Every detail of the Christmas story tells us that Mary and Joseph endured more than their fair share of trials as they waited for the arrival of Jesus. Mary left town. Joseph refused to reject her on the basis of an angelic dream. We can just hear the neighbours gossip about the scandalous events of Mary’s pregnancy. But they prepared and endured it all to be on a much greater mission than any carpenter’s family could imagine.

Preparing for God’s Plan

As you prepare for Christmas and all God has in store for you in the new year, be challenged to prepare for all that’s in store in the following ways:-

Eliminate distractions. Don’t allow the stress of the Christmas season to distract you from what is really important.

Be still and listen to God’s voice. “… keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of faith …” (Hebrews 12:2a).

Notice God’s hand. Reflect on this past year. Perhaps you, like many, have faced financial difficulty. Or maybe you’ve escaped danger or disease through an unforeseen miracle. Perhaps this year has been a time of suffering or relationship disasters. How has God carried you through all these things?

Discern God’s will. Ask God to give you direction. “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

Unite in a mission. Mary and Joseph undertook an amazing mission on the way to Bethlehem. It certainly must have strengthened their bond as they conquered many obstacles and challenges. There’s nothing more powerful than a couple, a family, or a church rallying around a cause.

This week:-

Discuss ways your family or Church group can prepare for future challenges.

Identify distractions that will keep you from truly worshipping Christ this Christmas.

Find a family or an organization you can help as they prepare to celebrate Christmas.

Daily prayer for this week:

Lord God

We thank you for those who without much light but with great longing, looked for the coming of salvation for the whole human race, and through suffering and joy, through harsh oppression and hard-won freedom prepared for the day of your birth. Help us this week to both prepare our hearts and our lives to receive the light of the Christ child as we immerse ourselves in the preparations for Christmas. Give us wisdom and courage as we help other families to prepare by gently telling the true meaning and gift of Christmas.

Amen