“Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes. ² This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ Everyone went to his own town to be registered. ⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David. ⁵ He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him, and who was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.^“ Luke 2:1-7

God of unfathomable goodness,

We cannot comprehend the height, width and depth of Your love. We do not always see You at work in the world, and our lives, but You are. We cannot always see all the intertwined goodness that You are working into our lives – but You are. Give us faith.

An unexplainable pregnancy. Would Mary and Joseph have been believed by their families if they told of angel visitations and dreams?! A Roman decree send them to register for tax. It got them away from gossip but with an 80 to 90 mile (several days) journey to Bethlehem. Heavily pregnant and no mid wife booked – or accommodation. You provided. A manger suggests downstairs, where animals were brought in for the night.

After committing themselves to God’s will, marrying and accepting the child- they seemed to have nothing but trouble. We wonder sometimes why trouble seems to arrive when we seek to do Your will? Maybe You are testing us, maybe its the work of the enemy or maybe its just life?! Or a bit of all three! But Jesus was born safely – fulfilling Micah’s prophesy in 5:2, that the ruler would be born in Bethlehem.

Father God, help us to understand that You do work in what seems mysterious ways Your wonders to perform sometimes. We cannot always see. You use all sorts of means and ways and people to bring Your promises to pass. Provision may come as basic (animal accommodation) or abundant (gold, frankincense and Myrrh). Help us to keep our shield of faith up when things seems tough. You are not asleep, or distracted – You are still at work . . .

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of unfathomable goodness,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. For their best, answers to their prayers and needs.
For our and the many churches preparing carol services for those who will come at this season.
For all the ordinary people doing kind, generous and extra ordinary things for You.
For our Government, Lords and commoners to be willing to stand for what is right and righteous.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a miraculous way forward to peace. Regardless of men.
For Putin and Ukraine. An end to war. Change Putin’s determination from oppression to peace.
For those around the world in floods and unusually heavy rainfall.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For all those planning Christmas meals and food for those struggling.
For the NHS and those affected by the strikes.
For those travelling to be with family before and during this season. Safe journeys.
For ourselves, that we would know You are there in the midst of all that is happening in our lives.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Friday 22nd December 2023
The story of the song is below the lyrics.

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform
He plants his footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up his bright designs
And works his sovereign will

Take courage now you fearful saints
The clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head

And I will trust
The hands that made the starry heavens
And I will trust
The wounds of Calvary
And I will trust
And I will not be afraid
For all his ways are love

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense
But trust him for his grace
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face

His purposes will ripen fast
Unfolding every hour
The bud may have a bitter taste
But sweet will be the flower

Chorus

Lyrics: William Cowper
Chorus addition: Graham Kendrick

CD: Graham Kendrick, Keep the Banner Flying High, Make Way Music.

The story behind the Hymn
Late one stormy London night in 1763, a broken man was determined to end his life. He hired a coach to take him to the river. Only when he cast himself into the roiling Thames and drowned, he thought, would his agonising trials finally end. He was unwavering in his resolve. He stepped down from the coach and walked through the fog toward the river’s edge. When he reached the quays, he noticed a strange man sitting there, staring at him, as if on guard. Moreover, despite the rainfall, the tides were low—too low to drown a man.

Returning home, the desperate man decided to poison himself with an overdose of laudanum, a potent drug derived from opium. But he couldn’t raise the bottle to his lips. He tried again and again. Each time, it was as if an invisible hand were pushing it away. Finally, he tried to hang himself. The rope snapped, and his housekeeper rushed in, responding to the noise. The man gave up. For reasons he could not conceive, the life that brought such despair and misery could not be ended…

That man was William Cowper, the famous English poet. It had not been the first time he had contemplated suicide, only to be held back by forces greater than himself. Four years after his dark evening in London, he sought a fresh start and moved to the village of Olney in Buckinghamshire. There, he met another man who had witnessed God’s grace at a moment of great desperation.

That man was John Newton, the celebrated Anglican preacher. Appointed to serve in Olney, Newton earned such a reputation for the power of his preaching and the depth of his convictions that people who desperately needed guidance and hope—like William Cowper—moved to town to benefit from his ministry.

Cowper took residence in a house adjoining Newton’s, and took a measure of peace in Newton’s friendship and care. Newton understood that for the fragile poet’s mind to find peace, writing would have to be part of the recovery. He encouraged Cowper to turn his creative talents to the composition of hymns, and the two collaborated on a collection of nearly 350 works known as the Olney Hymns.

In the centuries since, countless people have similarly found comfort and spiritual sustenance in the hymns written by these two men.

https://www.guideposts.org/faith-and-prayer/bible-resources/is-that-in-the-bible