Skip to main content

Prayer Column - December 2019

Image
By

December! Christmas!

But what can be said about Christmas that has not been said 2,000 times before? It’s the time we celebrate the birth of Jesus – the impossible conception, the miracle of miracles that changed the world for ever.

But then, perhaps the old things need saying again (and again, and again), for memories need jogging, minds refocusing, hearts rekindling. God is working his purpose out as year succeeds to year, but it often doesn’t feel like that. The good news stales, and the much vaunted joy pales. So we need reminding.

Jesus came and was cradled, but he did not stay there. He grew up, and spoke truth and hope, and lovingly mended broken lives. He showed what God was really like: a Heavenly Father. Then he did the impossible once more: he died and was raised to new life. And from there God’s great rescue goes on – through Christian believers of any kind, to reach and restore this whole world he created in the beginning.

  • The Christmas tree grows to maturity.
  • The tinsel and the bells neither fade nor fall silent.
  • Gifts enrich lives all round and for ever.
  • Food and festivities never jade nor waste.
  • Lights signify his Way in our dark, to the Father God himself.
And we can legitimately ask for all of these blessings, for God has promised them. We can pray them into being, ever more with every year. Christmas!

Roy Lorrain-Smith

A prayer for each week

Heavenly Father, from whom Jesus came in human form through Mary by the Holy Spirit, we praise you for being the God of the impossible, and also caring. Amen.

Teacher God, knowing how your pupils need repetition to grasp the truth about you and Jesus and the Spirit – and your plan for us all – please help us learn. Amen.

Lord Jesus, rightful King over all, thank you for making us your courtiers, sharing your work and representing you to others. Please make us worthy. Amen.

Everlasting God, endlessly inventive and without limits in what good things may arise from what you start, please help us join in what you are doing here. Amen.

Your own prayers

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Soupermums! Wilsden Trinity Church

By
Do you have a young baby? Looking for something to do? If the answer is yes then Soupermums is for you. We're here from 11 until 1 every Monday, Mums (and dads) have a rest and the babies can play. Have a lovely sit down whilst you sip on a brew. Enjoy having someone else make lunch for you! Come along to Wilsden Church, meet the rest of the group. Lovely ladies cuddle the babies, whilst you eat your soup. Chat with the mums, new friends you will make. Swap tips and advice over a slice or two of cake. So what are you waiting for? come on along, For homemade treats, good company and if you're lucky a song. We're looking forward to meeting you, please come take a peek, 11-1 at Wilsden Trinity, we're here every week! Celine V  (a Soupermum!) Where can new mums go, to have lunch where it’s warm and safe and you get to eat fresh soup and homemade cakes, while someone holds your baby? Too big an ask? Not at Wilsden Trinity! Every Mond...
Post a Comment
Read more

Christmas at Thackley

By
Our Christmas activities started in early November collecting donations for Christmas hampers for Bradford North Foodbank. Our Christmas Fair swiftly followed on a very chilly late November morning with the first snow of winter! The Fair raised over £600 and we are grateful to Monday Mums for serving refreshments, to the Ladies Group for their yummy cake stall, to the Brownies for their chocolate tombola, the Guides for their tombola and for making lip balm and to everyone else at Team TMC for the many varied ways in which they contri buted to the success of the morning. For several years we have shared one big Christmas card and given the money we would usually spend on cards to charity. The charity is Caring for Life which changes lives by sharing Jesus' love with the vulnerable; if you've not visited their wonderful coffee shop, make it a New Y ear's resolution to do so - http://www.caringforlife.co.uk/ . This year's fabulous Chr...
Post a Comment
Read more

HOPE Together & HOPE Revolution

By
Dear friends, You are personally invited to attend an exciting evening at  Bradford Academy  that we hope will bring people together from Bradford and Leeds to see how further  Unity, Prayerful Worship and Missional Transformation  can develop between the two cities. Back in July 2012, we saw over 50 young people, 12 leaders and several churches from across Bradford and Leeds join together in a 2 day pilot mission. We partnered with a local church in Bradford to share and witness to Christ's love in word and deed. In addition to this, we included young people in the conversation of ways in which to help connect both cities in the future. There are many people interested in exploring the potential of developing something on a larger scale, culminating in a week of mission across the two cities in 2014.   Your attendances and input will help shape the way forward: We would like to invite you to an exciting evening of information about HOPE Together and the y...
Post a Comment
Read more