Thursday 21st December 2023

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” 24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.” Matthew 1:18-24

God who directs our steps,

Christmas, we are waiting to celebrate it, and yet we live because of it, every day. The promise of a Saviour realised, the Messiah, even if many did not, and still do not acknowledge Him. You choose to trust us with Your Son. You choose to use ordinary people to do extraordinary things for You. You still do.

Joseph was no-one special. A carpenter ready to settle down and get married. In trauma about his betrothed being pregnant knowing it could not be his. Wondering about what not marrying would mean for her perhaps? Disgrace? Could it all be done quietly? He must have felt betrayed, but did not want to make a public spectacle of her. Then You sent an angel to reassure him and tell him what to do. He did not do what Zachariah did and question the angel – he accepted it, got up and obeyed.

Father, help us to be like Joseph to wait, sleep on hard decisions and give You time to speak into our situations. Help us to be hear Your Spirit to be like Joseph and do the right thing. Help us to learn to listen for You and do what You ask so you can work out Your purposes for good.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggested for prayer,
Father God,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. To know what to do for the best in their lives.
For churches as they prepare advent services and carol services for those who will come at this season.
For all those engaged to be married, those planning lives together. Thank You for those marriages which have lasted a lifetime. For children who need security and loving parents and guardians.
For those who are going through the trauma of separation and the children involved.
For our Government, that You might be in their debates with righteousness and good decisions.
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 to peace.
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 those travelling to be with family before and during this season. Safe journeys.
For ourselves, that we would know that ordinary as we, like Joseph, have the Saviour of the world who choses to live with us.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Worship Thursday 21st December 2023

One more step along the world I go,
One more step along the world I go;
From the old things to the new,
Keep me travelling along with you:
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
Keep me travelling along with you.

Round the corners of the world I turn,
More and more about the world I learn;
All the new things that I see
You’ll be looking at along with me.
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
Keep me travelling along with you.

As I travel through the bad and good,
Keep me travelling the way I should.
Where I see no way to go,
You’ll be telling me the way, I know.
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
Keep me travelling along with you.

Give me courage when the world is rough,
Keep me loving though the world is tough;
Leap and sing in all I do,
Keep me travelling along with you:
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
Keep me travelling along with you.

You are older than the world can be,
You are younger than the life in me;
Ever old and ever new,
Keep me travelling along with you:
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
Keep me travelling along with you.

Lyrics: Sydney Carter

Wednesday 20th December 2023

“When they (the wise men) saw the star they shouted joyfully.11 As they came into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, they bowed down and worshipped him. They opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10,11 NET

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 NKJV

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 1 Timothy 2:5-7 NKJV

God who ransomed us,

As we approach the celebration of Your birthday on Saturday, we are amazed, astonished and absolutely dumbfounded. Lord of Creation, Lord of History and time, Lord of all power and majesty. The God who we cannot fully comprehend or imagine, who sent Your only Son to a tiny planet in a tiny part of the universe inhabited by a rebellious disobedient people. At a particular unstable time in history. Knowing men would kill Him!

And You know our disobedience well. From Adam and Eve, people have been selfish and disobeyed. We say we would not have shouted crucify Him but would we have stepped forward as his supporters? Even Peter denied knowing Him least he got arrested too.

“The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”(Romans 6:23. Sin takes us captive and there is nothing we can do. We cannot buy our way out, be good enough, or earn our way out. No rituals will get us out. Jesus gave His pure sinless life for us and the ransom was paid in full, once and for all. We just have to humbly accept His gift of light and life.

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8). Help us to open ourselves fully, to being loved by You, no arguments. Accept Your priceless forgiveness and worship You.

In Jesus loving name we pray, Amen.

God who ransomed us,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. Precious as gold, bless them with all they need and Your healing love.
For churches as they prepare advent services and carol services for those who will come at this season.
For our Government, that You might gift them with honesty, truth and a desire to serve.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a miraculous peace. Regardless of men.
For Putin and Ukraine. An end to war.
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 those travelling to be with family before and during this season. Safe journeys.
For ourselves, light in our hearts that twinkles with Your love. Joy in our smiles and hope without end.

In Jesus powerful name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 20th December 2023


As with gladness men of old 
did the guiding star behold,
as with joy they hailed its light,
leading onward, beaming bright;
so, most gracious God, may we
evermore be led to thee.

As with joyful steps they sped,
Savior, to thy lowly bed,
there to bend the knee before
thee whom heaven and earth adore;
so may we with willing feet
ever seek thy mercy seat.

As they offered gifts most rare
at thy cradle rude and bare,
so may we with holy joy,
pure and free from sin’s alloy,
all our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to thee, our heavenly king.

Holy Jesus, every day
keep us in the narrow way,
and, when earthly things are past,
bring our ransomed souls at last
where they need no star to guide,
where no clouds thy glory hide.

W. Chatterton Dix
CD: Choir of Selwyn College, The Complete New English Hymnal Vol 14, Priory Records.

Tuesday 19th December 2023

“When they (the wise men) saw the star they shouted joyfully.11 As they came into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, they bowed down and worshipped him. They opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10,11 NET

God of life and death,

Today we are coming into the last week before Christmas. Adverts are trying to get us to buy food, presents and things we do not really need, but look scrumptious. And the need to get the right gift to make someone really happy. But it is transient. Your joy remains after the tinsel! And we see the Kings bought essential gifts for Jesus, Your gift who would give His all for us.

Myrrh, the third gift. Odd gift for a baby King. A beautiful aromatic resin. Usually kept to use to prepare bodies for burial. In John 12:27 in the garden of Gethsemane Jesus says, “Now my soul is greatly distressed. And what should I say? ‘Father, deliver me from this hour. No, but for this very reason I have come to this hour.” A prophetic gift. Were it not for Jesus death, His birth would have had no significance.

We are all born to die even if we prefer not to dwell on it! In Christ we receive more than incense for our death, we receive anointing for new and eternal life. The promise that we will awaken to eternal life with You and all those Christians who have gone before us. There will be no evil, there will be no more pain – just joy, fellowship, singing and the light and glory of You, Lord. You are our present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1) and our help and salvation to come (Psalm 23:4).

In Jesus Christ, the risen one, we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of life, we pray . . .

For all our family, friends and neighbours. They are as precious as gold to us, bless them with all they need and open to Your love.
For churches as they prepare advent services and carol services for those who will come at this season. All hearts will be open to see and receive Your gift of life.
For our Government, that You might be in the confusion, disagreement and bring about a new focus on serving the people of this nation.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families at this busy time.
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 heart..
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For those in N. Queensland, Australia flooded out. Blow the clouds away. Send relief and help.
For wise men to with wisdom to speak and direct in areas of power, and national control.
For all those planning Christmas meals and food for those struggling.
For those travelling to be with family before and during this season. Safe journeys.
For ourselves, amidst the uncertainty in the world, contentment and peace. As we smell the aromas of Christmas in mince pies etc to have thanksgiving in our heart for Your coming.

In Jesus life giving name we pray, Amen

Worship Tuesday 19th December 2023
Astronomers, wise men, kings, all three? Still a great carol. Alleluia!

We three kings of orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain
Moor and mountains
Following yonder star

O star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy perfect light

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King for ever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign

Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Prayer and praising
Voices raising
Worship Him, God most high

Myrrh is mine
It’s bitter perfume breathes
A life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone cold tomb

Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Heaven sings ‘Alleluia’
‘Alleluia’ the earth replies

Lyrics: John Henry Hopkins Jnr