Collects For Advent 4
God our redeemer, who prepared the blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of your Son: Grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour, so we may be ready to greet him when he comes again as our judge; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Almighty God, Give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; that on the last day when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9
Romans 1: 1-7
Matthew 1: 18-25
According to most media reports, Church attendances are quickly falling as society becomes more secular, dismissing the Gospel stories as fictional, made up to support an archaic social structure that props up a religious hierarchy.
There are so many demands on our time, that churchgoing is seen as a chore that takes away a precious half day on a Sunday morning. Many people claim to be ‘Christian’ – but of course, they claim, ‘you don’t have to go to church to be a Christian. (Perhaps not – but why wouldn’t you want to hear more?)
It doesn’t help when the history of the established churches is revealed to be unfeeling and hypocritical and, in many cases, tolerant of abuse.
So why are churches full for Carol services and the annual Nativity play? Is it just part of a meaningless ritual? A habit? A tradition, like chestnuts roasting by an open fire, brussels sprouts (ugh) turkey and ham (ugh, ugh and more ugh)?
Perhaps. But I don’t think so. Traditions have a sell-by date, and our Christmas celebrations will, over time, be replaced by newer ones. (Sadly, probably driven by clever marketing). But I don’t just believe, I KNOW, that in a hundred years, and for hundreds of years after that, the Nativity story will still be told, as it has been for the last two thousand. And people will treasure it.
Why? Because it touches all of us in our lives. Why? The story of the gift of freedom brings us hope in the darkest times. Why? The story of a child born to people just like us gives us a means of understanding that we are special in the eyes of our creator, trusted to bring His Joy to a hurting world.
Why? Because, despite all the failures and bells and whistles, It’s true.
Forget the wrapping. Enjoy the present within it.
And Come and Behold Him, born the King of Angels.
Praying Together 10th August 2025
And while we think of the things we value most, do we remember that we are of such value to God, that His Son was prepared to go into the flames for us?
Praying Together 27th July 2025
In a word, it is all prayer, a rich sequence, choreographed in different moments of gathering, praise, listening and communion.
Praying Together 20th July 2025
Jesus comes to us in many ways and with many faces. Are we aware we may ‘entertain Angels without knowing it?
Praying Together 13th July 2025
May we never miss meeting your gaze,
in the eyes of our sibling, the stranger.
Praying Together 6th July 2025
Always remember that ‘success’ is simply doing His will – it’s not necessarily achieving the outcome we would ourselves consider to be ‘successful’. Leave that definition with Him.
Praying Together 29th June 2025
Jesus is looking for commitment. Absolute, unconditional, commitment. When I think of what that means, I’m always minded of Martina Navratilova’s remark: “The difference between involvement and commitment is like ham and eggs. The chicken is involved; the pig is committed.”
Praying Together 22nd June 2025
As Christians, may we never regard mercy and compassion towards others as weakness, naivety or gullibility, but display the traits which demonstrate that we follow a Saviour who came to rescue those left behind.
Praying Together 15th June 2025
You couldn’t fly a kite inside a church building –for the Kite to fly you’d have to go into the windy street outside. Where does that place the need for the Spirit to act?
Praying Together 8 June 2025
Of all the strange things happening on the Day of Pentecost, perhaps the most puzzling is when God appears to have second thoughts. In Genesis 11, He makes it difficult for people to understand each other’s language
Praying Together 1st June 2025
The song by Mary Black, ‘Bless the Road’, while written as from a parent whose child is leaving home alone for the first time – maybe first day at primary school, going to college, beginning an independent life – always puts me in mind of the thoughts and blessing of Jesus as He prays for His disciples before His Ascension.
Praying Together 25th May 2025
‘Peace I give to you… do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.’
His peace is not remote and only there at the end of things – His Peace is with us now.
Praying Together 18th May 2025
So the commandment is a challenge. To love those who betray you. Those who jeer. Those who wield the whips embedded with flint, hammer in the nails, pierce your side.