Thought for the week of 20th December

The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.

Luke 1 : 35

Bible reading : Luke 1 : 26 - 38

Thought for this week

We are so grateful to everyone who contributed to our nativity scene at the front of church, with the stable scene and the great star. It is a wonderful reminder of the miracle of God’s love that is the Nativity, and the coming of Jesus into our hurting world with healing and peace.

Tomorrow (Monday 21<sup>st</sup>) there is to be a Great Conjunction in the sky of Saturn and Jupiter. It is a rare event that will create one big light in the sky. A Christmas star to end 2020. A reminder of the Lord’s Light and hope shining in the birth of Jesus.

Things coming together, even in a time of chaos and difficult news. The birth of Jesus is the coming together of the faithful promises of the Lord with the brokenness of our human need. The coming together of our hopes and fears with the power and love of the Lord who speaks into our lives.

As we remember the obedience and faithfulness of Mary, we remember how we are called to play our part in the unfolding story that is Jesus’ love in our world today. Mary who was so humble, yet carried the living Word into our world. As we witness to Jesus we are doing the same.

Rev Paul

Prayer for this week

Eternal God,

As Mary waited for the birth of your Son,

So we wait for his coming in glory;

Bring us through the birth pangs of this present age

To see, with her, our great salvation

In Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.