Daily ScriptureThe Lord has made known his salvation; his deliverance has he openly shown in the sight of the nations. Sound praises to the Lord, all the earth; break into singing and make music. (Psalm 98:3&5)Daily ReflectionWhen did the Lord make known His salvation? When did He show His deliverance? If we haven’t been listening to the message of the prophets, then we see the first signs of God’s salvation and deliverance one week today….. as we celebrate, once again, the birth of God’s son. God come down to earth to live as one of us. Not parachuted in, but born as one of us; lived as one of us; and showed us how to live life to the full. That really is worth singing and making joyful music about! In these Covid-times we have really missed singing in church; on Monday we can – please join in with the singing (and listen to the prophets!) in our on-line Parish Carol service….and praise God for the gift of His salvation. [NB Further details and service link on the church websites and Facebook pages] Revd David
Daily ScriptureO God, make speed to save me; O Lord, make haste to help me…. I am poor and needy; come to me quickly, O God. (Psalm 70.1,5)Daily ReflectionHow can God answer such prayers? Well, today the Church remembers the founder of the Save the Children charity, Eglantyne Jebb. In her twenties, she had a decisive vision of Christ, and after that, whenever she faced a challenge or a question, she would ask herself, what would Christ do? It led her, in the face of countries torn apart from wars in Europe, to practical support for the children who were victims. At the end of the First World War, when the government refused any aid to the defeated enemy, she launched a defiant appeal at the Royal Albert Hall and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds overnight in public donations. She launched Save the Children, which went international in 1920. All this time she had battled thyroid illness which ended her life on 17 December 1928, aged 52. David Harmsworth
Daily Scripture:Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; he is more to be feared than all gods. For all the gods of the nations are but idols; it is the Lord who made the heavens. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth tremble before him. Tell it out among the nations that the Lord is king. (Psalm 96:4,5,9&10)Daily Reflection:If your football team is doing really well, you talk about it. If something is going really well in your life, you normally tell your friends about it. If you have the delight of the birth of a new child or grandchild, you are excited and tell people about it. We are quick to tell people exciting, happy things. So how are we doing when it comes to God?! “Creation” shouts out about God’s greatness: just look around you at the beauty of nature, at a beautiful sunrise, at the stars on a clear night. What about us, we are part of God’s creation, but do we speak excitedly about the greatness of God? The psalmist did! Tell it out among the nations that the Lord is king.Let our worship echo all creation’s praise and declare His glory. Amen. Revd David
Daily Scripture‘See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances;’ (1 Thessalonians 12, 15-18)Daily ReflectionFirstly, a thank you to all those in our villages who have taken the time to light up their houses for Christmas. Jesus called himself the " Light of the World", and I remember this every time the sun sets and the Christmas lights come on. This season is one of joy, and of hope - a season where we can reach out to each other (from a short distance!) and light up another's life - through doing good things for each other, through praying for each other and giving thanks to our wonderful God, knowing that nothing and no-one can change the plans He has for us. Throughout everything we have been through, and whatever is to come, Paul tells us to "give thanks". It may seem strange to thank God for a difficult year, but it creates such heavenly power when we choose to say thank you in the midst of adversity. Today, choose to say thank you to God - He alone can bring good out of difficult circumstances. Vicki Young
