Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:19-20 Comment The third week of Advent began last Sunday – traditionally it is called ‘Gaudete’ or ‘Joy Sunday’. Joy is fundamental to...
The angel said to them “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This shall be a sign to you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths lying in...
See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Isaiah 60:2-3 Comment This week we begin a series of reflections and prayers for Advent. I grew up with the Lutheran family...
When they (the Magi) saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:10-11 NIV Comment Do you ever feel Christmas is upside-down? A season which should be...
I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do, forgetting what is behind, and straining to what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13 Comment How often do we go back over things that have...
“And Adam knew his wife and she conceived……..” Genesis 4 (older versions) There’s a lot involved in knowing each other. Here the phrase seems to be a colloquial form for sexual intercourse and the phrase is beautifully expressive of the intimacy explicit in loving sex. Comment Perhaps we have been married a few years and feel we know each other...
Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another. Ephesians 5:21 MSG Comment Sometimes in a marriage, the balance of power gets skewed. One person grabs the controls while the other locks down into victim mode. Or one person becomes passive and their spouse thinks, ‘I’d better take charge or nothing will ever happen.’ It often occurs slowly...
Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32 (MSG) Comment Most of us fall in love – it’s like falling into a swimming bath’s deep end. One is often in danger of drowning in love at first. Then it’s the norm for most people to find sensitivity...
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. Make a...
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Philippians 2 v 1-2 Comment Just because we married a fellow Christian doesn’t...
