Christmas Tree Reflection

Gracious God, thank you for the beauty and light of Christmas trees and all they represent.  Thank you for precious memories of Christmases past that we hold closely and dearly in our hearts. Let’s pause for a moment and take time to look at the many beautiful trees and decorations in our church.

The tree, its height, its symmetry numerous branches and needles each one crafted by God, remind us of the wonder and magnificence of God and his creation: the world he created for us to care for and enjoy.  As He knows the number of needles on each tree, so He knows even the hairs on our head, so great is his love and care for us.

The lights remind us of the life and light that Jesus brings to our world and to our lives. We think of his closeness and the warmth and completeness of his love as the lights wrap around and embrace the tree.

The doves symbolise the presence, strength and peace of the Holy Spirit with us and in us. The Holy Spirit, who is in our world always working for good.

The angels are messengers sent by God to help his people. We are reminded too of the ways we can be angels to each other.

The tinsel and baubles remind us of gifts, our natural gifts given by God to each one of us, and the gifts of love, kindness, generosity and time that we share and give to others.

We look at the stable and think of the gift of Jesus, God who left heaven to come to earth to show his love for us and rescue us, welcoming all from shepherds to kings to come to him.

We see the cross, the centrepiece, illuminated, casting its light and influence, holding everything together.

Loving, gracious God, light of the world, thank you that you are here with us.  Draw us close to you this Christmas, be with us and our families, friends, neighbours and colleagues.  Be with us in our communities and in our world. And may we share your love both among us and far and wide.

We offer you our thoughts and prayers and anything on our hearts …….……

In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen

Ruth Rushworth

And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6b

The journey was long
They were unprepared
Nowhere to stay
No offer could be heard

The inns were full
Their doors tightly closed
Mary and Joseph
had nowhere to repose

Then at last
A place was offered
At the back of the inn
with the oxen and asses

Hardly a place
fit for a baby
But here, Jesus was born,
In the straw in a stable.

We reflect on the long and arduous journey made by Mary and Joseph …

God of love and compassion, thank you for your love in Jesus. You journey every day with us, in all our circumstances and situations. You understand and meet with us in our need. Help us to see your provision and love at work in our troubled world.

We pray for all who are homeless, for all who are displaced and facing long and dangerous journeys and for those who are victims of trafficking, may they find hope and peace and a place of welcome and safety to stay.

We pray for people whose personal journeys are fraught with fear, uncertainty or difficulty for health, financial, relational or any other reason. Wrap them in your loving arms that they may find hope, courage and the peace of Jesus in their circumstances.

Gracious God, as we journey with You, open our eyes and hearts to see and respond to the needs of our neighbour, in simple and small ways, with kindness, care and compassion. For Jesus sake. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

Come, Lord Jesus!
Rev 22:20

Season of hope
Of waiting
Of anticipation
To welcome
Jesus our Saviour
To prepare for the celebration
Of Jesus come to earth
Of God with us
The promise, the hope
of life, of everlasting love

Gracious God, once again Advent and the preparations for Christmas are with us. If we are in a season of waiting, or anticipation, help us to trust in your timing and take comfort from the presence, the hope and promises of Jesus, God with us.

May we prepare our hearts and minds to look afresh at the Christmas story and, whatever the season in our lives, know in our hearts the love God has for each and everyone of us. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

“Let us hold firmly to the hope we profess, for He who promises is faithful.”  Hebrews 10:23

Ruth Rushworth

King of kings and Lord of lords
Rev 19:16

We reflect on some words from Psalm 46 –

God is our refuge and strength an ever present help in trouble. Therefore,  we will not fear … even though …. even if …..

There is a place where God resides, where the love of God flows, God is here, God, our fortress, is with us. We will not fall. Come and see …..

God says be still, be still and know that I am God.
Be still ….. be still and know ….. be still and know that I am I God ….

Gracious God, we will trust in You, we will trust in your goodness and love. Even when life doesn’t make sense,  Even though we don’t understand. We will choose trust in your goodness and love.

Jesus said ” peace I give to you, my own peace I leave with you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you.  So do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Christ our King, our refuge, our strength, our fortress be with us.

Gracious God, as we prepare for the start of Advent next week and the church is ready for the first Christmas trees to arrive to go up this afternoon, we remember that Jesus, King of kings, King of love, came to be with us to help us and rescue us. Draw us close to You and fill us with your love. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

Extracts from Psalm 46, John 14

The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.  He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.

Ps 23 1-2 GNT

Loving God, we praise you. Out of love, you created the galaxies, the sun, moon and stars, and the very air that we breathe.  Out of love, you created us to know you and to love you. You care for each one of us, through all the seasons of our lives, as a shepherd lovingly and tenderly cares for his flock.

Loving God, thank you that you know each of us by name. You shepherd us to the fresh pastures of new life in Jesus. You call us to graze on your words of truth, love and wisdom in the Bible. You ask us to follow you and place our trust firmly in you, for You are goodness and love.  You tell us not to worry about tomorrow, for you will meet our deepest need. Nothing in all of creation can separate us from your love.

Loving God, our Provider, our Shepherd, our Saviour, we simply come and sit with you, may we hear your voice and know your rest, peace and refreshment through your love in Jesus.

Ruth Rushworth

‘The Lord is near to all who call on him’.
Ps 145:18 NIV

Open my eyes to see You
Unblock my ears to hear You
Strengthen my voice to speak of You
Prepare my hands to work for You
Equip my feet to walk with You
Soften my heart to love as You
Renew my mind to think of You

Gracious God, may the power of your love transform our lives. May we walk through this day in faith and trust in Jesus. And may your Holy Spirit lead us in your ways and will, that we may draw close to you and share your love in our world. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

May the God of peace equip you with everything good to do his will.
Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV

To you o Lord we lift our gaze.
To you o Lord we sing our praise.

You lead us gently forward,
Into your precious light,
To a place you have prepared for us,
For when the timing is perfect and right.
You bring us to a place,
Beyond our hopes and dreams,
A place of love and service,
Of peace, not of natural means.

You provide us with all we need,
blessings, gifts and skills,
Perfectly suited to each one of us,
To our hearts, our minds, our wills.
You equip us so completely,
With all that we require,
As we step out we need not fear,
For Jesus is our rock, our strength, our tower.

Whenever you may call us,
Wherever you may lead,
By your grace may we follow,
In thought and word and deed.

To you O Lord we lift our gaze.
To you o Lord we sing our praise.

Gracious God, we praise you for and reflect on your guidance and provision in our lives. We thank you that you have brought us safely to this new day.
May our lives be an open canvas for you to paint your words of love. May we be sensitive to and follow the nudging of your Holy Spirit in all things, big and small, that the love Jesus has for each of us be known and shared in our lives. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart I will praise his holy name.

Ps 103:1 NLT

I praise the Lord for his wonderful love
A love that lasts beyond a lifetime
A gift from heaven above
A love that embraces, forgives and sets free,
A love full of mercy that ends enmity.

A love that restores, renews and transforms, 
A love that strengthens, softens and warms. 
A love that reveals God’s plans for our lives,
A love that leads, a love that guides.
A love that unites and draws us near,
A love that extinguishes darkness and fear.

A love that is merciful, gracious and kind,
A love that will never turn us away, nor leave us behind.
A love of compassion to aid and care for,
The poor, the sick, the downhearted and sorrowful.

A love of justice, of truth and right,
To work for good with all of our might.
A love that promises hope, joy and peace,
And the assurance of eternal life through Our Lord, Christ Jesus. 

Loving God, we praise You for wonderful love in Jesus.  As we spend time with You and reflect, we ask You to speak into our hearts by your Spirit. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

(Jesus said).. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.

John 14:16 ESV

Loving God,  thank you that you give us the gift of your Holy Spirit, our Helper and Comforter who will remain with us for ever:-

The Spirit who will remind us of everything Jesus said, taught and did.  The Spirit who will teach us and show us things beyond our human understanding.  The Spirit who will reveal the heart and mind and ways of God.  The Spirit who will enable us and lead us in ways of righteousness and peace.  The Spirit who will pray with us in our weakness, in a way that cannot be put into words.  The Spirit who will arm us with strength and confidence in the midst of doubt and fear.  The Spirit who will clothe us with compassion, kindness and humility.  The Spirit who will live out the Christian life with us and within us.  The Spirit who will breathe new life into us and fill us with joy and peace in knowing Jesus.

The Spirit who will convict us of the truth, who will gently remind us – …Jesus gave his life for you; …. you are wholly and dearly loved. *

Gracious God, we praise you for your life-giving Holy Spirit who is with us and helps us to navigate this often difficult life.  We thank you that your Spirit will never coerce us or over-ride our free will.  As we reflect, may we open our hearts to invite and welcome your Holy Spirit more fully into our lives, for Jesus sake. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth
*  1 John 3:16;  1 Col 3:12

The Lord bless you and keep you; 
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face towards you
and give you peace.

Numbers 6: 24-26 NIV

Lord God, we praise you for the many and beautiful prayers in the bible. Prayers that point us to you and to Jesus, assuring us of your eternal love, your goodness, your peace and your mercy.

Lord God, we take a few moments, to be still before you, to read the verse, look at the image and consider how you might speak to us through them.  

In the quiet, we pray for all seeking your peace.  We lift before you, our loving God, anyone or any situation that you have placed on our heart and ask for your blessing…..

Lord God, may your love sustain all in need of your touch. May you hold us fast in the palm of your hand. May the light of Jesus outshine the darkness and draw us close. And may we in turn pass on the blessings we have received from you and show your love, kindness and care in our world. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth