See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’                     Mark 1 : 2 - 3

Bible reading : Mark 1 : 1 - 8

Thought for the week

It seems the Christmas preparations have started really early this year. Not surprising with the year that is coming to an end with so much struggle and so much that has just seemed so wrong.

The Lord spoke into another time when so much was disjointed and painful. The Roman occupation. The failure of the Jewish spiritual leadership. Hope disintegrating. Families struggling. Even philosophers questioning their own moral authority.

The Lord’s prophets have always spoken into human time and events from His heart of endless and unfathomable love and wisdom. Speaking grace, speaking of new beginnings, speaking peace into turmoil and confusion.

So preparation has become so important. Not just for Christmas, but the preparation of our lives, our priorities, our choices. We are called to prepare because we cannot know what is ahead of us. We cannot know the opportunities we will have to speak of the Lord’s love and witness to His grace.

We are all called to prepare because the Kingdom is now. Jesus is alive, and calls us to follow Him with all that we are, all we are called to be.

Rev Paul

Prayer for this week

O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power

and come among us,

and with great might succour us;

that whereas, through our sins and wickedness

we are grievously hindered

in running the race that is set before us,

your bountiful grace and mercy

may speedily help and deliver us;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,