By Revd Paul Welch, Presbyter, Manchester Circuit
Reading: Lamentations 3 v. 19-24
Notes:
The passage from Lamentations in verses 19-20 paints a bleak picture of the situation, yet the following verses display the faithfulness, compassion, love and fullness of all that God is.
So often as we travel through Advent, we are already well into the period of dark nights and at times we can be a little overwhelmed by emotionally walking through winter. However, verses 22-23 reminds us “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.” One of the key themes throughout Advent, is the presence of light, as each Sunday a candle is lit. On Christmas Day we are reminded of Jesus bringing Light, Life and Hope into the everyday situation and with each new day that comes. There is that assurance that after every dark night, the daylight comes bringing something new. The light of a new dawn each day brings the excitement of a day that has never been before in the entirety of space and time long past. There is hope of a new beginning with God, with Jesus through his resurrection and the Holy Spirit bringing new life each and every day.
I run a series of monthly reflective walks and at each stopping point I ask people to, take a look around and the first question is always “what do you notice? What has caught your attention?” So often, we might see different things in the context where we find ourselves at any given moment. We let ourselves be present in the context, we intentionally look around and see what grabs our attention and then we continue to reflect through a variety of further questions.
Wonder
So the question to ponder is,” what do you notice as you think about Light, Life and Hope through Jesus?”
Prayer:
Ever present God, who walks with us through this journey of advent and every new day, we thank you for your faithfulness, compassion and love that illuminates our path. We pray that you will help us to stop, just be, take a look around and notice your life light presence in all we see around us. Help us to see where you are so that we can shine out your love to others whom come across our path as we journey, that they may be truly blessed by the warmth of your radiant light, hope and peace. Amen