ScriptureThe next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me’. Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathaniel and said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’ Nathaniel said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see’. ( John1.43-47)ReflectionFor thousands of years the Israelites had longed and hoped for the promised Messiah, who would be sent by God to save and restore his people. Throughout their years of exile, and later, under Roman occupation, they dreamt of a powerful leader who would come with great might to free them from oppression and servitude.Andrew’s announcement to Nathaniel that he has actually met the one foretold by the prophets, and that he is in nearby Nazareth, is not just an interesting snippet of news, but a communication of earth-shattering, history-changing importance. And Nathaniel, the man from Bethsaida, simply sneers that surely nothing of any worth can come from the despised neighbouring town of Nazareth.Ingrained prejudice can make us blind and deaf to the truth.Thank God for Andrew, himself from Bethsaida, who doesn’t argue or remonstrate with his friend, but simply says ‘Come and see’. And Nathaniel comes, sees for himself, and follows Jesus.Revd Rosemary Kobus van Wengen
Scripture In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage’ (Matthew 2 1-2) Reflection Sometimes we are not very good at welcoming people who look different, wear different clothes or speak with a different accent from ours. We sometimes make it quite clear to them that they are outsiders, that they are not welcome. Our reading focuses on the Wise Men from the East who are being led by God, all the way to Bethlehem. Strangers from another land travelling to a strange place to be shown God’s baby Son. King Herod pretended to make them welcome, but at Jesus’ home they were really made welcome - Mary and Joseph welcomed them with open arms. God wanted these ‘outsiders’ to be among the first to meet his Son because Jesus had come into the world for everybody, and not just for the Jewish people. Perhaps we all need a timely reminder that the good news of the Gospel is for everyone; and not just those like us. Perhaps one of our New Year's resolutions could be to be more like Mary and Joseph and welcome everyone with open arms. Lyn Hayes ALM
Scripture‘You are observing special days, and months, and seasons, and years. I am afraid that my work for you may have been wasted.’ (St Paul writing to the Galatians 4.10-11)Reflection Paul was not attacking the ways in which we observe Christmas! But he was anxious that we should be living the good life every day, every month, every season and every year. In the middle of winter and dark times, we are celebrating the birth of a child who brought light – the child who as man revealed God as Spirit never defeated by darkness. As daylight hours lengthen with the new year, can we may each day special by extending the time we spend ‘walking in the light’? David Harmsworth ...
