Elizabeth’s Joy

 One can only imagine what Elizabeth felt when Zechariah

returned home and shared his story of encountering the angel at the temple. The angel had told him that God had heard his prayer. Elizabeth his wife would bear a son.  Zechariah had doubted the angel’s words and would be mute during the time of her pregnancy.  So even to tell Elizabeth what occurred he had to write it out and explain that in all these years of waiting and wanting a child, it was going to happen! From years of heartache and searching for a child to love to a moment of wondering why her at this time?  For years Elizabeth had been empty and hope had been lost.

There are many who might find themselves empty today. Empty because of grief and mourning the death of loved ones; empty because of a loss of job, or even empty as no money is present.  But in spite of the emptiness Elizabeth experienced she still had faith in God. She served God and her disappointment changed to joy.

Often we think we deserve more as students= high grades, as workers= more money; as people in general- more happy. In spite of these ideas of whether you deserve something better or not- it is up to you to make changes. Elizabeth was disappointed for many years that she did not become a mother. God heard her prayer and the beginning of the story of Christmas was starting to unfold. After long years of waiting God planned that Elizabeth’s son would be the one to announce the Messiah. John would be the one to prepare the people for Jesus. God’s time might not have fit with Elizabeth as an older mother, but his timing was perfect for all.

We read in Luke 1:57-58   “When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.”

No longer was Elizabeth outcast from her friends. She was now a mother to an infant and she was filled with joy.  She could relate and talk with the women of her community and they were so glad for her and Zechariah. 

Elizabeth’s life was changed because God answered her prayer and she would become a mother. Her son John had a divine purpose to play in preparing the people for the Messiah. Her role was significant as she would raise John to know and love God.  One can imagine her joy as she became aware of her responsibility.

As people of faith, where do you find joy? Prayerfully and hopefully, you are able to find joy in what matters most. Circumstances in our lives change. How might you change to search for the joy you need and know? God knows you and loves you. Pray to God and ask how you might share in the knowledge of how you live a joyful life!

PRAYER

God of grace and love we know you love us, show us your way to love others. Enable us to experience joy and hope as we await Christ’s coming.  Hear our prayers as we share with you our thoughts, concerns, joy and hope. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Doubts about God’s Gifts?

Why in the world would Jesus be born into a human existence?

This is a question many often ask as we begin Advent and prepare for Jesus’ birth celebration. Do you have doubts about God entering into our world or the reasons why God enabled a young woman, Mary, to give birth to Jesus?

We begin the countdown to Christmas with four weeks of preparation. Sometimes there is panic in our voices when we ask, how will everything get done?  But what are we doing? What is essential to celebrate the birth of Jesus? To answer these questions we need to look at the stories which lead up to Jesus’ birth.

Before Mary became pregnant with Jesus, Zechariah and Elizabeth were told that they would have a child. Zechariah’s family had dedicated themselves to the care of temple, keeping the law and the high calling of representing the people before God. He lived in difficult and doubt-filled times. And he had no heir to carry on his name or his family’s priestly role. 

God sends an angel to tell him that Elizabeth would have a son to be named John. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to God. And he will make ready a people prepared for the Lord. But instead of thanking the angel, Zechariah doubts the angel’s words and how impossible it would be for Elizabeth to conceive and bear a child. Wasn’t Zechariah a man of faith? How could he not believe the angel and doubt what was possible? Maybe it was hope deferred. Or maybe after so many years he just could not fully grasp that he would have a son to raise. Because of his doubt, Zechariah became mute and for him as a worker to people in the church this would prove to be a hardship as he communicated the main and the message of life giving hope and comfort to all and now he could not talk and be understood.

Zechariah spoke words of doubt in God’s gifts and possibilities. He became unable to speak until John was born and ready to be named. Zechariah named him John and he grew up to be the one sent to prepare people for Jesus to come and minster among them. What are you doubting now?

Are you doubting you’re inability to live for yourself, to give to others instead of growing in faith and wondering if you truly need to wait expectantly for Jesus to come?

You might respond to these questions as matters of faith, but most likely these questions will cause us to ask further questions as we seek to grow in understanding who we are in relationship to Jesus- not as the baby in the manger, but as Saviour and Lord. What do you believe? What do you doubt?

Zechariah doubted the angel’s words and only could speak after the baby was born. He named him John. But what about you? What are the doubts in your mind that block you from believing in God’s Gift to us in Jesus?

Maybe it is time to open our hearts as we prepare to receive Him once again.

PRAYER

God of grace and hope we praise you and thank you for your promised gift of Jesus. Show us the way to grow in faith. Cast away our doubts so that we will know the baby of the manger and the Christ of the cross and empty tomb. Amen

Who is Jesus to You?

 November 20 is the last Sunday of the Christian Year and it is known

as Reign of Christ or Christ the King. This day we focus on Jesus and try to define who he is for us as individuals and as a church family.

Jesus was born in a stable to an unwed but betrothed moth and soon after his birth, he was being sought by King Herod. Herod did not want to worship him but wanted him dead. Joseph, Mary and Jesus fled and lived in exile until it was safe to return.

They returned to Nazareth and this where Jesus grew up. After a family trip to the temple in the city Jesus was inadvertently left behind. Eventually he was found talking to the teachers and he has his parents why they didn’t think to look for him in “His Father’s House”. Had Jesus come to an awareness at age 12 as to who he was and his life’s purpose?

What Jesus did in the next 21 years in not fully known. He would have been educated and taught in the Jewish tradition, carried on his training with Joseph in carpentry and lived a quiet life. But at one point the time came to close the carpentry shop, gather people he could teach and trust and begin to fulfil his purpose as the Promised Messiah. Just how would He do this? Not sitting and waiting but meeting people where they were and helping them in their daily concerns.

Jesus met them and showed them who he is was and will be for He is the One whom God called his beloved Son. Jesus taught about a new way of living with love and by loving others as no one had taught before. This concerned the synagogue leaders and they planned to get rid of him in some way.

Eventually he was arrested, tried and sentenced to death in one of the cruelest ways carried out. But Jesus did not die without purpose or reason. He died because this was the way people could reconcile with God if they believed.

Jesus’ purpose was to die and rise again and this is why we should be praising him. His death provided the way of forgiveness of sin because he overcame death and enabled us to return to God. After Jesus’ ascended to heaven he remains with God the Father. He sent the Spirit to guide us to live as He taught.

So who is Jesus? Why do we call Him the King of Kings who reigns? Jesus’ reign is not of the world but He reigns because He conquered death so we might live eternally. He rules over heaven and earth but we as individuals must understand who He might be in our individual lives. How do we recognize Jesus?

He is the Baby in the manger when visitors rejoices in his presence. He is the Christ of the Cross dying in pain and agony. He is Risen Saviour who left the tomb and was seen by his faithful followers. He ascended to heaven and is with the Father/Creator and His Spirit is with us now.

Who is Jesus?  Wonderful Counselor Mighty God Prince of Peace Everlasting Father King of Kings, Lord of Lords…. Baby Christ Saviour.

PRAYER God we praise you for your Gift to us in your Beloved Son Jesus who lived, on Earth, died and rose to new life. Through his life He gave himself so that we might learn and grow in faith and have hope for life eternal.  God we thank you and praise Christ Jesus our King who rules forevermore. Amen.

We Will Remember Them

 During this Veterans’ Week which leads to Remembrance Day on

November 11^th, we are called to take time to remember the battles, conflicts and wars of the past and to never forget the sacrifice of others so that we can live in peace. “On the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month when the guns fell silent, we will remember.” This is our call to remember when peace was declared ending World War I. But we also remember the other battles and wars with many casualties whose bodies are now buried in foreign lands. We are also reminded that Canada has been involved in many missions focusing not on war but on peacemaking and peacekeeping. But how often we forget these men and women who although striving to gain peace for the nations where they served, died in faithful service.

                Jesus said, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”  John 15:13

As we reflect on the thousands who have done this for the sake of our living in freedom and peace we need to stop and say thank you.  Veterans who served  need to be appreciated for their efforts no matter how big or small for what they have done is to give of themselves without counting the cost. How often do we look in the mirror and wonder if we could have done the same? Would we leave the home we love, with family and friends all around us to fight an enemy who was not seen but was present nonetheless on battlefields and burial grounds in many countries? Would we be able to show our love and care for others as we seek what is right and just?

                As we hear the trumpet call “The Last Post” we keep silence for a few minutes in order to experience the wind, the songs of nature and the echoing heartbeats of those beside us beating as we live in hope. For this moment all are silent, all are praying and praising God for peace. Then we hear these words:

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.  We will remember them.”

These are the words of remembrance first written by Laurence Binyon which was first published in The Times in September 1914.  This is the fourth stanza of the poem “For the Fallen” and has been claimed as a tribute to all casualties of war, regardless of state. And it is these words which tug at our hearts our feelings to remember those whose gravesites are marked by white crosses, poppies in spring or have a Canadian flag upon them this week in gratitude and thanksgiving.

                Just how do you remember? One simple way is to wear a poppy and support the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion as they continue to support veterans and their families in these times.  May we never forget the sacrifice of others. Lest we forget. Let us pray:

PRAYER

God we praise you for those who gave their lives for the sake of others. Help us to honour them as we have freedom to gather and remember. Bless them in your heavenly realm and comfort those who remember these men and women with love and respect.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

You Can Make a Difference

 

A poster for a local charity states: “YOU can make a difference!”

But what is this difference referring?

It usually means a change from what was before to what is now.  How do we understand this change and just what can YOU do?

The weeks after Thanksgiving are often the time when charities—everything from wildlife, to specific disease or chronic illnesses or special appeals to help others- send out by mail their annual or semi-annual appeal to gain financial support.  It just seems that these appeals come more frequently or they ask for more money in order to carry out their tasks. But what is often missing is how your support makes a difference to people, causes and change.

Our reading from Matthew 26 occurs while Jesus and his disciples are in Simon’s home in Bethany. A woman with a jar of very expensive perfume pours it on Jesus’ head as he sat. The disciples were indignant because she wasted this perfume. The perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. It is Jesus’ response that startled the disciples and even us. Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.

Jesus knows that there will always be people in need. He wanted the others to hear of this woman’s selfless gift. She prepared him for what is to come- his death, while he is alive.

With all the pleas for support especially food and supplies to food banks and shelters, we need to assess how much we have and give to others like the woman did- out of love. It is in giving out of love that we can make a difference- whether to the lives of many or the lives of a few.

Take time to look at all the appeals that come your way. Remember what Jesus did when he was torn and struggled with what to do? He prayed. So should you! Lift up each of the charities named and ask for God’s Spirit to guide you to bless the people helping others. Then discern in your heart what you might do- whether financial or gifts in kind, whether it is moving into action or writing a cheque.  But in all of these consider what Jesus says his purpose was 1) to serve (Mark 10:45) 2) to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) and 3)  to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45) and offer to the hope and promise of eternal life to all who believe (John 3:16). 

The poor will always be among you- but what if the poor do not know Jesus? How do we make a difference in their lives that lasts all of eternity?

PRAYER

God of grace and hope. We pray that we can make a difference as we strive to meet the needs of others and ourselves. As we give to support the needs of others, we pray that we will grow in faith and that the message beyond the food that is in each bag offered is the love of Christ. Bless us O God and enable us to do what we are able to seek the lost for Christ Jesus. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

We all realize that there is