14th December 2022

A thought from George Ford

‘You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.’
Isaiah 55:12

‘But the angel said to them, ”Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.’
Luke 2:10-11

Reflection

Joy is the third candle of the Advent wreath – That circular wreath that reminds us as we prepare for Christmas of God’s continuous love, which like a circle has no beginning or end, and of those four candles around it to remind us of those four major gifts of His Spirit – Love, joy, peace and hope. His Joy is not a frivolous exuberance, but a deep inner Joy that comes from knowing and loving Jesus the promised Saviour. Jesus once said to His disciples – and therefore to us - “If you obey my command, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s command and remained in His love. I have told you this so that my Joy may be in you and that your Joy may be complete”. ( John 15:10-11) May you know His Joy throughout this Christmas season and forever more.

Prayer

Loving God, we praise and thank you for the joy you bring to our lives. Help us prepare our hearts to receive your Joy. Strengthen us we pray, with your Spirit to hear you through your word and to follow your ways with your Joy deep within us. Through Jesus the Saviour born to us in Bethlehem.
Amen

Worship

‘Joy to the world! The Lord has come; Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room. And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven and nature sing! Joy to the earth! The Saviour reigns; Your sweetest songs employ. While fields and streams and hills and plains Repeat the sounding Joy , Repeat the sounding Joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding Joy.’
(Isaac Watts 1674-1748)