In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The Virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you”. Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “ Do not be afraid Mary, you have found favour with God. You will; be with child and give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” asked Mary, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy spirit has come upon you and the power of the Most High will over shadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age – and she who is said to barren is in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible for God”. “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be done to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

(Luke 1:26 – 38)

While people watched their sets one night, all seated round the screen,

The angel of the Lord appeared where evening news had been.

‘Fear not’ said he (for flashing lights had altered the transmission;

This strange celestial visitor had interfered with vision).

‘I bring good news of peace on earth for all mankind,’ he said;

But crackling sparks zigzagged the screen and every set went dead.

So angry viewers growled and cursed and electricians fumed,

Until as soon as possible normal service was resumed.

(Peter Dainty)

Dear God,

As we begin our preparations for Christmas, help us to remember what Christmas is really about. As we light our Advent candles help us to think about Jesus as the light of the world. Without him there would be no Christmas. Make us strong as we go through Advent and help us to think about Jesus, the Son of God at his birth.

Amen    (Unknown Source)

O God our loving father, help us rightly to remember the birth of Jesus, so that we share in the songs of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds and the worship of the wise men.  May the Christmas morning make us happy to be your children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake

Amen    (Robert Louis Stevenson)

It’s Christmastime.

The holly is abundant.

The presents and the food have been bought.

The grandparents are in the spare room.

But what of the meaning of Christmas?        

“Jesus who??”

Father let us not get carried away with the trappings of Christmas.

Let us remember the birth of your son, our Saviour.

The traditions of Christmas may be fun, but let us not forget the true meaning.

In Jesus’ name Amen   

(Unknown Source)