Tag: Matthew 1:1

Saturday 18th October 2025

“Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favour with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” 35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. ” Luke 1:29-35 NLT

“At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He travelled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.” Luke 2:1-7 NLT

Most High God,

400 years fly past and so much is not being said – but happening! Luke gives us the human story’s. The young virgin, the engaged expectant couple. Their journeys, their troubles and the miracle of life. Jesus enters the world. Fragile, vulnerable, and soon to be in danger. Herod.

But this part of the good news is not just a celebration with sparkly cards, Christmas trees and crib scenes. It is the good news that You, God love us. Not just a bit. Not so much that you send us a teacher and a miracle worker. But You, God love us beyond the depth of our understanding. You know what we will do to Jesus, the evil mankind is capable of. That we would kill him and You God cannot stop His pain and suffering or fight the battle with death for Him. And You still sent Him and He agreed to come.

We all long to be loved and not all of us find reliable love even in our own families. Let alone conditional love. And You God fill that void completely. If we can accept and allow it to change us. It cleanses us, strengthens us, reassures us and makes us feel complete. Your love. Help us to accept and dwell in Your love for us. The beginning of the good news is the heart of the good news.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 19th October 2025.
From ‘The Gift’ a Christmas musical. Who says some songs are only for December?

Good news, good news to you we bring,
hallelujah!
News of great joy that angels sing,
hallelujah!

Tender mercy he has shown us,
joy to all the world;
for us God sends his only Son,
hallelujah!

2. Let earth’s dark shadows fly away,
hallelujah!
In Christ has dawned an endless day,
hallelujah!

3. Now God with us on earth resides,
hallelujah!
And heaven’s door is open wide,
hallelujah!

Lyrics|: Graham Kendrick

Thursday 12th December 2024

“This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham”
. . . “Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud. Abiud was the father of Eliakim. Eliakim was the father of Azor. Azor was the father of Zadok.” Matthew 1:1, 1:13-14 NLT

Our Father,

The story of Jesus earthly family reaches a time when the children of Israel are in dire straits. All the leaders and movers and shakers had been exiled and taken to Babylon to serve there. They had turned away from God and God had allowed them to be taken captive. Miraculously politics changed and Zerubbabel led the first group back home to Jerusalem. With a heart for the right priorities he teamed up with Nehemiah and Ezra and helped organise the rebuilding of the Temple to restoring worship to You.

In Haggai, Zerubbabel is called the Lord’s signet ring (Haggai 2:23). A signet ring contained an emblem unique to the king. Meaning the wearer was genuine and had the authority and honour due to the king. He again gives us a glimpse ahead to when You sent Your signet ring, the Lord Jesus who was God (You) with us, and had authority to lay down his life and take it up and rise again (John 10:18).

Even the Shepherds and the wise men recognised there was something different about Mary’s son that first Christmas. And Mary treasured up all the things the shepherds said in her heart knowing that this baby was a gift from God, literally. Help us to remember that Jesus is our only way to You. The only one with authority to wash away sin and restore us. The only one who can lead us back, not to Jerusalem, but out of captivity and into Your Kingdom.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Our Father,

For our family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for.
Thank You for the precious people who enrich our lives.
For our Christian family. Christmas events planned for worship an to welcome new people to.
For our king and His family and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government, the Commons, the house of Lords, the civil servants.
For Ukraine and Russia. A miraculous end to war.
For all the conflict in the Middle East for the ongoing complications and vengeance. to end.
For those in captivity in prison, change their hearts Oh Lord.
For those in captivity in refugee camps, nations under martial law, hope and freedom.
For those organising shelters and meals for Christmas. For help to extend beyond this season.
For us to know the certainty of Your complete forgiveness. Silence the doubts and shame the enemy may try to remind us of.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 12th December 2024

See him lying on a bed of straw:
a draughty stable with an open door;
Mary cradling the babe she bore
the prince of glory is his name.

   O now carry me to Bethlehem
   to see the Lord of love again:
   just as poor as was the stable then,
   the prince of glory when he came.

Star of silver, sweep across the skies,
show where Jesus in the manger lies;
shepherds, swiftly from your stupor rise
to see the saviour of the world!
   O now carry me…

Angels, sing again the song you sang,
sing the glory of God’s gracious plan;
Sing that Bethl’em’s little baby can
be the saviour of us all.
   O now carry me…

Verse not included:

Mine are riches, from your poverty,
from your innocence, eternity;
mine, forgiveness by your death for me,
child of sorrow for my joy.