This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.  Matthew 1 : 18 – 19

This week’s reading : Matthew 1 : 18 - 25

Thought for the week

The waiting is nearly over. Christmas Day is looming large on the horizon. The next few days will be filled with last minute preparations before we finally breathe deeply. Whether we are ready or not Christmas will come!
However we are feeling about Christmas, whether we love it or dread it, whether we are ready or not, there is Good News, the best news.
Jesus is born into a world where things are sometimes good, sometimes bad, sometimes easy, sometimes hard, sometimes straightforward, sometimes complex.
That Jesus is born into the reality of life with all its many facets is Good News.
Into the Mess of the world comes the Message of hope that has been there since the dawn of time. This is the Message of God's infinite love, grace and peace given to us in Jesus the Messiah - Emmanuel, God with us. This is Good News for the whole world.
Happy Christmas! 

Rachel

Prayers for this week

Eternal God, as Mary waited for the birth of your Son, so we wait for his coming in glory; bring us through the birth pangs of this present age to see, with her, our great salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

God is soaked in our world.
God's Spirit lives and breathes
in and through all that is.

We are lost only when we do not understand
that God is already with and in each one of us.

Our task is recognition of God's initiative to be at home in us—
acceptance of God-With-Us.
Then we cannot but be glad.

written by Edwina Gateley in There Was No Path So I Trod One (1996, 2013). Posted on Journey with Jesus.