Thought for the Week - 10th December 2023

 

Dear Friends, 

As you may be aware we are now the owners of a dog called Marlow, a cute fluffy Cavapoochon. One of the things that I’m discovering about owning a dog (and there are many things I’m discovering) is that he does like to come and sit next to me on the sofa, and when I say next to me, it is more like he is trying to sit on me, he is that close. The upside of course is that it is like having my own personal hot water bottle to keep me warm. In The Little Book of Advent, a collection of Bible readings, prayers and reflections for each day of Advent, in section called ‘God is near you’, David Adam who was the Vicar of Holy Island, Lindisfarne and published several books of prayers, reflected on Isaiah 43, where the Lord says, ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God…’ (Isaiah 43:1-3). Adam says, ‘The prophet, like all prophets, declares to the people: ‘God is with you; you are not going in your own strength but in the strength of God’.’ (The Little Book of Advent, 37). It is a reminder that God is with us today as we journey into the unknown, that God is with us in our joys as well as our sorrows, that we are never alone in our journeys, that he is even with us when life is tough and a struggle. In John’s gospel, Jesus comforts the disciples with the promise of the Holy Spirit, saying, ‘I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth’ (John 14:16-17). We thank God then that whatever it is we may face in life, we can be assured that we will never be alone, and that we can depend upon God for all times and seasons in our lives.                                                                                   

Grace and peace,

Neil

 

A prayer to remind us of the journey of Advent

You are the object of our journey. You are the One who leads us onwards.

You are the Light in the gloom. You are the Forgiving One.

You are the Peace Giver. You are the Accompanier. You are the Incarnate One.

Come to guide us, to lead us and forgive us.

Glory be to you, my God and King. Amen.

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