Collects For Advent 4
God our redeemer, who prepared the blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of your Son: Grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour, so we may be ready to greet him when he comes again as our judge; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Almighty God, Give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; that on the last day when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9
Romans 1: 1-7
Matthew 1: 18-25
According to most media reports, Church attendances are quickly falling as society becomes more secular, dismissing the Gospel stories as fictional, made up to support an archaic social structure that props up a religious hierarchy.
There are so many demands on our time, that churchgoing is seen as a chore that takes away a precious half day on a Sunday morning. Many people claim to be ‘Christian’ – but of course, they claim, ‘you don’t have to go to church to be a Christian. (Perhaps not – but why wouldn’t you want to hear more?)
It doesn’t help when the history of the established churches is revealed to be unfeeling and hypocritical and, in many cases, tolerant of abuse.
So why are churches full for Carol services and the annual Nativity play? Is it just part of a meaningless ritual? A habit? A tradition, like chestnuts roasting by an open fire, brussels sprouts (ugh) turkey and ham (ugh, ugh and more ugh)?
Perhaps. But I don’t think so. Traditions have a sell-by date, and our Christmas celebrations will, over time, be replaced by newer ones. (Sadly, probably driven by clever marketing). But I don’t just believe, I KNOW, that in a hundred years, and for hundreds of years after that, the Nativity story will still be told, as it has been for the last two thousand. And people will treasure it.
Why? Because it touches all of us in our lives. Why? The story of the gift of freedom brings us hope in the darkest times. Why? The story of a child born to people just like us gives us a means of understanding that we are special in the eyes of our creator, trusted to bring His Joy to a hurting world.
Why? Because, despite all the failures and bells and whistles, It’s true.
Forget the wrapping. Enjoy the present within it.
And Come and Behold Him, born the King of Angels.
Praying Together 8th October 2023
Throughout the centuries, God offers a gift being able to choose life and starting again, but when continually refused, He shakes the dust off His sandals and moves on. Could you blame Him, then, if He turns Hs blessing to the poor?
Praying Together 1st October 2023
The reward for accepting Him is the joy of knowing freedom, and then to accept His command to work in the vineyard, to feed His lambs – not with empty words, but with deeds.
Praying Together 24th September 2023
Heavenly Father, help us to work to accomplish your will for us according to our individual gifts without comparing ourselves to others. Help us to acknowledge our own failures and avoid condemning others for theirs.
Praying Together 17th September 2023
And when it comes down to it, I will always need forgiveness – as do we all. For all of us have sinned and fallen short.
Praying Together 10th September 2023
Yes of course we have a responsibility to address sin – but before we criticise others, we need to start with ourselves.
Praying Together 3rd September 2023
‘Those who want to save their life will lose it’, said Jesus, but though people hear Him, they don’t actually listen.
Praying Together 27th August 2023
In the end, it is Peter, once again, who takes the step that faith demands. Thousands since that day have proclaimed the same. And so do I.
Praying Together 20th August 2023
As are we all, whoever we may be – Jew, Greek, slave, free, man, woman. One in Jesus, the Christ. That’s the important bit.
Praying Together 13th August 2023
Once in a while, we might close our earthly eyes and leap over the side. There is nothing that Jesus asks us that we can’t achieve.
Praying Together 6th August 2023
The prophecy is fulfilled, the light has come, the day will dawn and the morning star will rise in our hearts. Hallelujah.
Praying Together 30th July 2023
The treasure is there – it just needs to be found. We search for truth, and realise that Jesus is the truth; the way; and the life.
Praying Together 23rd July 2023
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.