Collect for Advent Three
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28
Olivia Erin Barton, daughter of Charlotte and Matt, entered the world at 11 p.m. yesterday 15th. She shared a birthday with 384, 999 others across the world – a world where ongoing conflict rages, where people perform acts of violence to others for reasons of race, tradition, language and religion – or for no reason at all. Where the future is increasingly uncertain, with unknown effects of uncontrolled technology and the need to face inevitable drastic lifestyle changes as result of unchecked global warming.
I wonder what she will think of the legacy we leave her. It wouldn’t surprise me if she wasn’t hugely impressed.
There is one thing that we can – must – do for her, though.
We owe it to her to be witnesses to the truth that will sustain her through good times and darker ones – she will hear it proclaimed in story, carolling and celebration during the days around her birthday. It is the story of another baby – whose birth is a sign of God’s unfailing love, whose life will guide us, His death redeem us, His resurrection inspire us. Whatever may happen, His love will never fail us.
So may the Lord of Lords bless you, Olivia, and your sisters and brothers born that day. May you walk in His light throughout your life; may you be His body on earth, share Faith, Hope and Love, and use the all the gifts He gives you to bring His Kingdom in.
Previous Posts
Praying Together 9th June 2024
If we just give in and believe that there is nothing we can do to bring about such a change, the dream will never come true. So let’s not.
Praying Together 2nd June 2024
You may remember the song: ‘It ain’t what you do it’s the way that you do it, that’s what gets results.’ Catchy tune, catchy title. But wrong. Actually, it’s the other way round – ‘It ain’t the way that you do it, it’s what you do…’
Praying Together 19th May 2024
By the power of the same Spirit strengthen us to witness to your truth and to draw everyone to the fire of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Praying Together 12th May 2024
But in Christ, a much more reliable ‘Truth’ can be found. Truth in the ‘Logos’ – the Word. The Word made flesh.
Praying Together 5th May 2024
Collect for Easter 6 God our redeemer, you have delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of your Son: Grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his continual presence in us he may raise us to eternal joy; through...
Praying Together 28th April 2024
‘If you love God, then you love your brothers and sisters’. You cannot have one without the other. If you do not love your brother and your sister, you cannot claim that you love God. No exclusions.
Praying Together 21st April 2024
There is only one leader who invites us to follow of whom we can be sure – the one who is prepared to lay down His life.
Praying Together 14th April 2024
It is easy, with hindsight, to criticise the disciples for their incredulity. But we have to ask ourselves what we would do in their place.
Praying Together 7th April 2024
We are challenged to decide what we need to ‘see’ to believe – and then to seek it in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Praying Together 31st March 2024 Easter Day
“I have seen the Lord”. It is difficult to imagine her emotions. She has seen the Lord! She doesn’t yet understand fully – but her eyes have seen Him. Her life is changed for ever, and she doesn’t care who knows it.
Praying Together 24th March 2024
But Jesus is aware of what He will have to endure in order to fulfil His mission of salvation – and He sets the necessary elements in motion.
Praying Together 17th March 2024
The Anglican Church of Ireland has produced an excellent example of the way in which St Patrick’s life embodies the Five marks of Mission – a real cause for celebration and a model for us to follow (And by the way, St. Patrick’s flag colour is blue, not green.)