“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.
5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.
6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’” Luke 3 : 4 - 6

Readings this week Malachi 3 : 1 - 4; Philippians 1 : 3 - 11; Luke 3 : 1 - 6

Thought for this week

Are your preparations under way this year? Are you making plans to meet up with family and mark the celebration? Christmas is a wonderful time, yet for many a challenging time. The prophets of the Bible spoke the truth of our world, and told of the promise of Jesus, looking ahead to His salvation and new life.

So often the prophets highlight the aspects of our lives that are hard. It is difficult to look at the news these days. It is hard to think about the state of the world and those who suffer. What have we come to? Yet Jesus was born into all of this, because He loves us.

Advent shows us the realities of today. The call of John in the wilderness, to put right all that is wrong, for our faith to be revived. To expect Jesus in our daily lives. To look hopefully for His coming now and in the future. The prophets were raised by the Father to point us back to the Lord’s ways. His heart for the world.

We are called to hear the prophets’ cry. To look to the greater things. To know this world is not all that there is.

Today we light candles for peace. Peace that comes in our lives, through us, often in small ways. Can we be makers of God’s peace today?

Rev Paul

Prayer for this week

Holy and loving God, we have dwelt in darkness and preferred it to the light; we have been proud of our accomplishments and despaired over our shortcomings. Smooth down the mountains of our pride, and lift up the valleys of our doubts. Open a path in the wilderness of our lives that we might find our way to you again. Refine us and prepare us once again for life in your kingdom.

Hear our prayer, O Lord. Amen.

~ from First Sunday of Advent Prayers and Litanies, posted on the Ministry Matters website. www.ministrymatters.com/

Almighty God, as your kingdom dawns, turn us from the darkness of sin to the light of holiness, that we may be ready to meet you in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

People to pray for

For peace and stability in Syria

For our Christmas outreach