Advent calendar 2020
Advent 2 - Monday 30 November 2020
One of the most disheartening subjects recently on the news has been the conduct of the current American President, Donald Trump. His refusal to accept the will of the American people, his baseless and unfounded allegations of voter fraud and his attempts to cling to power, has made a mockery of the office of the President of the United States. Regretfully such behaviour is nothing new. History is full of small minded, insecure dictators who will stop at nothing to cling to power.
But note this. God’s ways are not our ways. Often he works not from the top down - through power and authority – but rather from the bottom up. This is even true of the place of Jesus’ birth. Not a palace but a stable. Not in the capital but in a small out the way town ship.
Rev Sean Swindells.
Bible Readings
Micah 5:2
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.
Luke 2:4-6
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born.
Rev Jane Denniston, Minister of Campsie Parish Church offers this reflection on the Sanctuary Frist website.
God often chooses the little things. Throughout the history of his engagement with us he spoke through the prophets; often unexpected people, people on the margins, people who were not instantly obviously God’s messengers.
This practice of sneaking in by the back door reached its culmination in the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, one of the least of the towns of Judah. Both the place and the circumstances of his birth were remarkable in their humbleness. Not only a small insignificant backwater of a town, but also an insignificant and ordinary couple; not rich, not important. And in an insignificant place, not even a bedroom, just a spare corner. The odds were stacked against this baby’s survival. A stable — draughty and dirty, no midwife, and a young girl having her first baby. And then Herod’s vendetta. But God’s plan, revealed through the prophets, came to fruition in spite of the odds.
In my life, I have often found God working in small and unexpected ways. An unexpected person speaking a word into my situation that is clearly the word of God. The line of a song, or a sentence in a book which leaps out at me revealing something new. A difficult situation resolving in an unexpected way. How has God worked in your life unexpectedly? Who have been your prophets?
Prayers
Father, we thank and praise you
that you use the small and insignificant do your work.
That you don’t often use the powerful,
who have experienced so much of this world’s benefits already.
We are small and insignificant,
and we pray that you would use us
to be a prophet for someone else
to bring your word to them. Amen.
Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day,
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!'
Amen.
(Henri J.M. Nouwen)
Now we take our worship out into the world
May the God of love fill Your heart with peace
and send You into the world to live it.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer,
be with You and those You love,
this day and always.
Amen