Second Sunday before Lent
Collect
Almighty God, you have created the heavens and the earth and made us in your own image: Teach us to discern your hand in all your works and your likeness in all your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns supreme over all things, now and for ever.
Colossians 1: 15-20
John 1: 1-14
We probably know the Gospel passage well – it forms the finale of most of the traditional carol services, and is the foundation of our understanding of incarnation – God’s only Son is born as a human child with human earthly parents while also being the one who will bring light to a dark world.
We say that familiarity breeds contempt – and I don’t think we are too guilty of ‘contempt’ – but we are, I do think, in danger of missing the earth-shattering significance of the event in the midst of all the other wonderful Christmas stories. Paul tries to make sure we don’t.
‘in him all things in heaven and on earth were created’
ALL things, animal, vegetable, mineral. Me, you, him, her; earth, sky , sea; mountains and valleys, dogs, cats, elephants, apples, brussels sprouts. And even in the light of the immensity of all these, the most important, amazing truth is that right from the beginning, from the very, very, very beginning, He knew your face and loved you enough to be born to die for you so that you might live in light.
Imagine someone risked their life to save you from being killed, even though you had hurt them deeply in the past – you would go to great lengths to thank them and try to make amends. Yet we have to ask ourselves, do you go to those same lengths to thank the Lord Jesus? Or do we often take Him for granted? He asks for no reward, save that of loving His creation, His Father and our neighbours (all of them) as He loves – do we even do that?
Previous Posts
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.
Praying Together 9th July 2023
‘What do I have to do to be free?’, they ask. What will it cost me?
Just believe, He says. I’ll buy it for you. On a cross
Praying Together 25th June 2023
When we are baptised in Christ, washed free of our past, we have the opportunity of starting again. We try – and will inevitably fail. But that mustn’t stop us trying.
Praying Together 18th June 2023
Someone once asked who would be the best person to talk about Jesus to a lorry driver. To which the answer is ‘another lorry driver’.
Praying Together 11th June 2023
Faith is to know that however cold the winter, however dark the night, a new Spring morning will flood creation with light and warmth.
Praying Together 28th May 2023
Who does God send to tell the World?
You.
Praying Together 21st May 2023
People ask how to discern truth from the well-crafted lies of the enemy. Protected by His promise, the answer is simple. In prayer, just ask whether you can see Jesus in their words and deeds.
Praying Together 14th May 2023
We too are challenged to live as disciples. We have the benefit of scripture and history. We know that the story will end with Christ victorious.
Praying Together 7th May 2023
He is the Way. On our journey, there will be signposts that will ensure we keep to the path. Prayer. Scripture. Worship. Spiritual guides. He walks alongside – even if sometimes we don’t recognise Him.