Dear All
This has been the most extraordinary Advent! Now with further restrictions coming into place it feels like we are going backwards in this pandemic!
But as we all know, nothing stays the same for ever, so take heart, there is light at the end of the tunnel! The winter will pass and the vaccines will, hopefully start to be distributed.
In the meantime we plod on…..
We had another moving service this morning as we celebrated the 4th Sunday in Advent, thinking about the Virgin Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel announcement that she would, by the power of the Holy Spirit, be the mother of The Son of God.
Please note:
Thursday, Christmas Eve Carol Service 5pm in church – no 10am Said Eucharist.
Friday, Christmas Day 10am Sung Eucharist
Sunday 27th 10am Sung Eucharist. Tier 4 – open for worship at this point.
Love to you all
Ax
4th Sunday of Advent 2020 St Andrew’s Milngavie.
Luke 1:26-38 Romans 16:25-27 2 Samuel 7:1-11,16
There has been considerable criticism levelled at the government that we were insufficiently prepared for this pandemic. In 1907, Baden-Powell, devised the Scout motto: Be Prepared. … this, he says means, “you are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your duty.” More than a century later, preparation is still a cornerstone of Scouting.
But I’m sure we are all aware good preparation is often the key to a successful outcome of any project undertaken and that for any significant task in life a degree of preparation and forethought is required.
Today on this 4th Sunday of Advent our theme is that of preparation. Preparing for Christmas this year has obviously been rather different. Our normal pre-Christmas activities and Christmas gatherings have been curtailed or cancelled but perhaps as that has meant we have more time on our hands to put more into our spiritual preparations.
More time to do that advent reading………
Preparation is a central theme in advent. It is a time when we are encouraged to read, reflect, pray and listen to Gods still calm voice. In the bible there are many references to being prepared.
In Exodus God says to Moses as he prepares to lead Israelites from Egypt “Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.” Exodus 23: 20
In the book of Isaiah, the prophet prepares the people of the exile for the coming of the lord. A voice cries out “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord” Isaiah 40:3
In the NT Jesus, in John’s gospel, invites us to be with him in heaven, his eternal kingdom, “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:7
And in his letter to the Corinthians, Paul says those great words of assurance and faith. “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love him” 1 Corinthians 2: 9
In many ways the entire OT is a preparation for the NT. It’s an account of God developing his relationship with his people and then through the prophets preparing them for the coming of his son Jesus Christ.
In the NT much of Jesus teaching is concerned with preparing his apostles for the post resurrection ministries, they would undertake.
Paul in his epistles writes to prepare his communities for new lives in the light of the resurrection of Christ and to prepare them for the second coming.
Two angels!
Today in our gospel we have the great story of the Annunciation – the angel Gabriel appears to Mary with the news that she will bear a child. And that child will be the Son of God! It’s hard to imagine what Mary could have done to prepare herself for such an announcement. Indeed, at first, she appears thrown by the visit. “Mary was greatly troubled at his words and pondered what kind of greeting this might be”. Luke 1:29
But we are told she was devout in spirit and had found favour with God so we must assume she had grown up acknowledging the scriptures and embracing the presence of God through prayer and contemplation – all of which had prepared her to respond favourably to the angel with trust and faith.
“Here I am, the servant of the Lord,” Mary answered. “Let it be with me according to your word” Luke 1:38
As we journey through life, we can never be certain what event or situation awaits us from one moment to the next. “We never know what round the corner” we say. Certainly, at the beginning of this year who would have predicted what was before us? We cannot prepare for every circumstance and outcomes in life; indeed, it would not be healthy or realistic to do so.
But perhaps, like Mary, we can live closely with God, trusting in his faithfulness, allowing ourselves to be cradled in his love and knowing that he holds the keys to our salvation. Then we can also say, with confidence, in any situation which may arise, the words “Here I am Lord, your servant. Let it be with me according to your word” Luke 1:38
As we light the 4th advent candle now let us prepare our hearts and souls for the forthcoming celebration of Christmas – the celebration of the birth of Christ.
The Emmanuel – God with us.
Amen