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 6th November 2022
Human structures, societies and cultures will always eventually crumble. God’s Kingdom is everlasting. And it’s free for the asking.
Praying together 30th October 2022
Luke 18: 9-14Ephesians 1:11-23 ‘Saint’ Defn. #1: a person acknowledged as holy or virtuous and regarded in Christian faith as being in heaven after death. Well, I’m not dead yet (or at least I wasn’t at the time of writing.) So that’s not me. ‘Saint’ Defn. #2: a very...
Praying Together 23rd October 2022
We don’t stop doing right because of the fear of becoming proud – and we don’t let past failure stop us from living in His house.
Praying Together 16th October 2022
2 Timothy 3:14 - 4:5 Are we there yet? (Title courtesy of Marjorie)Just stop for a moment. Take a look around. How did you get to where you are at this instant in time? Now have a look into yourself, your heart and mind, and reflect on your journey in faith –...
Praying Together 9th October 2022
Collect for Trinity 17 Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you: Teach us to offer ourselves to your service, that here we may have your peace, and in the world to come may see you face to face;through...
An Ordination at St Michael and All Angels, Waterville
On Thursday last, 29th September - the feast of Michaelmas - members of all four churches of our Union joined together to witness The Reverend Barbara Irrgang-Buckley being ordained Priest by the Bishop of Tuam Limerick and Killaloe, the Right Reverend Michael...
Praying Together 25th September 2022
Luke 16: 19-31 What will it take to convince you? With thanks to Anselm of Canterbury, and his inspiration Augustine of Hippo, there are two approaches to faith. (Excuse the Latin, but I had five years of it at school and I can’t help showing off sometimes as a...
Praying Together 18th September 2022
Luke 16: 1-13 To whom do we owe our allegiance? You cannot serve God and ‘wealth’ Bah. If ever there was a misleading Biblical translation, that’s it. It’s bad enough when the translated phrase reads ‘You cannot serve God and money’. Neither of those words...
Praying Together – 11 September 2022
Collect for Trinity 13 Almighty God, who called your Church to bear witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: Help us to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted up on the...
Arthur and Martha: Christ the King
This is the day we remember that Jesus is the king of all the world and that He is the greatest king of all. Just imagine. Jesus is our very best friend, but He’s a king!
The Road to Emmaus | Luke 24: 13-35
The Road to Emmaus : Luke 24:13-35
Mary’s Story
Hello little one. Pleased to meet you. It’s been an eventful few months while I’ve been waiting for you to arrive. Let me tell you all about it.
It started on an ordinary day. I was going about as normal, feeding the chickens, tidying up and that sort of thing. I wasn’t really concentrating, I was thinking about my wedding to Joseph in a few weeks time.