Sunday 25th December

Luke 2:8-14

Luc 2:8-14

The shepherds are The First

Les Bergers sont Les Premiers

Of all the characters involved in the Christmas story, I’m especially drawn to the shepherds. They were the lowest of the low – uneducated, poor, valued not much higher than the animals they tended. Yet it was these shepherds who heard the angels sing. It was the shepherds who were the first to come to the manger to worship the new-born king. The Christmas story is a message of hope – brought to those who needed it the most.  

With the shepherds we can go to the Bethlehem manger in our imaginations. We can ask that the Jesus born in Judaea be born again in our hearts today. The story of that first Christmas has shaped the lives of millions, and it can still change our lives too. It can be for us a message of true hope, as it was for those shepherds. 

Whatever our circumstances, may the good news of the birth of Jesus give us reason for praise and a sense of the glory of God today and throughout this Christmas time.  

Robert Innes

Les bergers étaient les premiers visiteurs à la crèche pour adorer le Roi nouveau-né. L'histoire de Noël est un message d'espoir - porté à ceux qui en ont le plus besoin.

Saturday 24th December

Revelation 1:1-8

Acopolypse1:1-8

“I am the Alpha and Omega”

“Je suis l’Alpha et Omega”

This letter was written to encourage early Christians and churches to remain faithful in a time of severe persecution. Christian persecution is not only a historical issue, but a present day reality and with many faces. Recently, and as usual, Christians have been killed in Egypt, Northern Nigeria, etc. Even in places where Christians do not necessarily face death threats, Christianity itself is attacked in some other forms to give it no voice or credibility. To silence Christian voice is a terrible persecution! As secularism gets more intermingled with atheism, many Christians get confused, or become lukewarm, and are unable to contend for the faith once entrusted to the Saints (Jude vs 3). 

Like the early Christians, we are to draw strength from this letter as we discern the signs of the time and or the unfolding of God’s plan for his world. No matter the kind of persecution we face, be it economic, spiritual, social or physical form of persecution, let us pray for divine wisdom to understand that we are not alone in our situation.  

In a time when Christians are most vulnerable in many parts of the world, let us draw comfort from our ‘Alpha and Omega’ who abandoned his comfort zone and became vulnerable from nativity to death because he chose to be Emmanuel.  

Voici! Il vient au milieu des nuées[i], et tout le monde le verra et même ceux qui l'ont percé et toutes les familles de la terre se lamenteront à cause de lui[j]. Oui, amen!

Are we free from persecution? By no means! In the beatitudes, we are to ‘rejoice and be glad’ that we are part of the story!  

 ‘Look, he is coming with the clouds,

and every eye will see him,

even those who pierced him....

So shall it be! Amen. 

Réjouissez-vous et soyez heureux. Nous sommes une partie de l'histoire

Augustine Nwaekwe

Friday 23rd December

Nahum 1
Nahum 1 

Everlasting Peace - Paix Eternelle

This isn’t a book that we often read, nor is this an easy passage as Nahum passes on a vision of God’s judgement. In strong terms it presents a view of God that we prefer not to think about – ready to punish, jealous and avenging. But at the same time, there are glimpses of hope. We are reminded that God is slow to anger and never angry in a human, selfish or unjustified way. We are also reminded of his power, that he provides a refuge in times of trouble and cares for those who trust in him. He is promising lasting deliverance and freedom to people suffering under terrible oppression. At the end of this chapter, we are told that one is coming who brings good news and peace. Not just peace in the sense of an absence of conflict. But the peace brought by Jesus that is deep and ever-lasting. His peace brings healing, joy, wholeness, fruitfulness, freedom, fullness of life and restored relationships between God, people and the whole of creation.  

Janice Singh

Mais la paix apportée par Jésus qui est profonde et éternelle. Sa paix apporte la guérison, la joie, la plénitude, la fécondité, la liberté, la plénitude de la vie et les relations entre Dieu restaurée, des personnes et la création tout entière.

Thursday 22nd December

Psalm 127

Psaume 127

Building Life with God’s Help

Bâtiment la vie avec l'aide de Dieu

Dans la vie quotidienne, des êtres humains se lancent dans le projet de construction - une maison, une famille, une entreprise - et veuillent à la sécurité de tout ça en employant de moyens divers. Dans ce psaume, le psalmiste nous rappelle que l’effort humain n’apportera pas le résultat voulu si Dieu, à qui appartiennent toutes choses, n’est pas impliqué dans des projets. Même quand nous travaillons pour le Seigneur, pour obtenir de bons résultats, Sa présence et Son onction doivent nous accompagner.

Il en est de même en ce qui concerne notre progéniture. Le fait que les enfants soient le fruit d’un processus naturel ne signifie pas que les parents en sont les créateurs. C’est Dieu qui donne la capacité d’engendrer des enfants. C’est Lui qui a dit « soyez féconds, multipliez- vous ». Les enfants sont donc un don de Dieu et les parents ne sont que des gardiens.

Puisque c’est Dieu qui nous donne la capacité de faire toutes choses confions-nous en Lui et demandons Son aide à tout moment.

Que notre vie glorifie le Seigneur !

Lucy Limunga Fonderson

Since it is God who gives us the ability to do all things
Let us trust in Him and ask His help at any time.

Wednesday 21st December

Malachi2.17–3.12, Matthew19.16–end 

Malchie 2.17-3.12, Matthieu 19.16-end

IT'S  JUST    NOT   FAIR   ! ! ! ! !

CE N’EST PAS JUSTE

              How often have we  looked around,  and seen other people who seem to be  SO  lucky !    They seem to 'Have it All'!  And we know that some of them are Not  Even Very Nice !  ( We've seen them  being Horrible to their families ! )

                                                   HOW   DO   THEY   GET   AWAY   WITH   IT!

             Aren't we All a little bit jealous,  and want more of the ' Good things of life ' for ourselves ?   And don't we nag God just a little bit, because, surely, we are just as 'good' as those 'lucky' ones . . . maybe even a little bit better !

                                                     BUT . . . .

            God does know what is in our hearts ( and is probably a bit disappointed  that we are so jealous over things to make our own lives more comfortable ! )  He asked the rich young man who  wanted  Eternal Life to give  EVERYTHING  away, and follow him. . .  ALL of it !     So, when He returns, our Lord, who made Heaven and Earth,  then it is He who will be our Help,  and our Saviour !

          So,  He has it all in hand ~ and,  in His Good Time,  He will make it all FAIR . .

                                                                                                                         

And  none of us will get away with anything after all . . . .

                                       especially if  we   keep   on  nagging !

Pam Clements

Tuesday 20th December

Matthew 19:13–15 

Matthieu 19:13-15

Little children are enthusiastic, they sometimes say things that they should not. They get in the way of the important things that grown ups want to talk about.

Am I so self absorbed that I do not notice the little things in life?

Les petits enfants sont enthousiastes, ils disent parfois des choses qu'ils ne devraient pas. Ils obtiennent de la manière des choses importantes que les adultesveulent parler.

Suis-je si l'auto absorbée que je ne remarque pas les petites choses de la vie?

Jane Brown

19th December

2 Peter 1:1-15 (focus on verses 10-11)
2 Pierre 1:1-15 (se concentrer sur les versets)

Love Never Fails
L'amour N’échoue Jamais

In reflecting on this passage, I misread the last word of verse 10 as “fail” and was reminded of 1 Corinthians 13:8 – “Love never fails”.
En réfléchissant à ce passage, j'ai lu “échoue” pour le dernier mot du verset 10 et cela m’a rappelé le 1 Corinthiens 13:08 - "L'amour n’échoue jamais".
The word is actually “fall”, but it means much the same: “if you do these things, you will never fall” – “if you do these things, you will never fail”.

This is such a hopeful thought to a frail, failing, fallen creature. However weak I am, however much I misunderstand, misread, mistake… here is a simple word of certain promise from one who never fails. If you do this, you won’t fail. If you do this, you won’t fall. If you do this, you will be warmly welcomed by our Lord into His everlasting kingdom.

Possess this octave of qualities (verses 5-8) – believe and step up the scale to the love that belief is all about – and you will be prepared for My everlasting feast.
Possédez cette octave de qualités (versets 5-8) – croyez et osez l'amour dont tout est cette croyance - et vous serez préparé pour Ma fête éternelle.

do   re  mi   fa  so   la    ti   do

James Pitts


Picture from “Common Tone”

Sunday 18th December

Romans 1:1-7
Romains 1:1-7

We are loved by God - Let us celebrate!
Dieu nous aime - Réjouissons-nous!

The Gospel -good news- was not a Pauline invention. It was not even an invention of the evangelists. The good news were promised by God through the Old Testament prophets and became evident with the coming of Jesus. It's a story that most probably spans over 4 millennia, and still continues. When Jesus -descendant of David and Son of God- visited us, he broadened the scope: Jews and Gentiles alike are now called to be God's holy people.

This is a call for volunteers to join the many millions that preceded us. It is good news: the Kingdom is near, and a new way of living is possible. We are loved by God, called to belong to him. Belong, not affiliate, or sympathize. Radical, like a (good) marriage, and full of opportunities, our new life was inaugurated with the fulfilled promise of the coming of Jesus. Let us celebrate!

Le royaume s’approche et il y a une nouvelle façon de vivre. Dieu nous aime et on lui appartient. Jésus est venu! Célébrons nous!

Jairo Ares

Saturday 17th December

God’s Light Shines Brightly ~La Lumiere de Dieu brille

Zephaniah 3:4- 20, Matthew 18:21- 35, Jude, Psalms 42, 43, 71

Sophonie 3:4-20, Mattieu 18:21-35, Jude, Psaumes, 42, 43, 71

All the tinsel in the world of commerce cannot cover the splendour of God’s light which is Christ.

Thank God for this “one life” which is pointing to the Second Advent. By getting older this fact is becoming more relevant and meaningful.

ONE LIFE

He was born in a stable

in an obscure village.

From there, he traveled

less than 200 miles.

He never won an election.

He never went to college.

He never owned a home.

He never had a lot of money.

He became a nomadic preacher.

Popular opinion turned against Him.

He was betrayed by a close friend,

and His other friends ran away.

He was unjustly condemned to death,

crucified on a cross among common

thieves, on a hill overlooking the town

dump. And when dead, laid in a borrowed grave.

Nineteen centuries have come and gone.

Empires have risen and fallen.

Mighty armies have marched,

and powerful rulers have reigned.

Yet no one has affected men as much as He.

He is the central figure of the human race.

He is the Messiah, the Son of God,

JESUS CHRIST. Author unknown

Praise and Glory to our God

Rie Arthern

Dans sa vie, Jésus n'avait rien de spécial, mais personne n'a affecté la race humaine autant que lui. Réjouissons- nous dans cette vie, qui nous amène au deuxième avent. On l’apprécie plus avec l’âge.

Friday 16th December

Matthew 18:1-20

Mattieu 18:1-20

The Righteous. The Renewed. The Redeemed. The Restored

Les Justes. LeRenouvellement. Les Rachetés. Le Restauré

The Righteous (Matthew 18: 1-6) Les Justes.

The righteous are meek and gentle; pure in heart and kind in spirit. The righteous flee from pride and are filled with humility. The righteous are called God’s children and the kingdom of Heaven belongs to them.

The Renewed (Matthew 18: 7-13) Le Renouvellement

The renewed are ‘new creatures’ in Christ who confess their sins and are called to His table. The renewed are transformed both in mind and body and do not comply to the things of the world, but with the things of God.

The Redeemed (Matthew 18: 10-14) Les Rachetés

The redeemed return back to His fold by the gift of His grace and mercy. The redeemed are recipients of His true love that never fails.

The Restored (Matthew 18: 15-20) Le Restauré

The restored are called to be witnesses to Christ’s power and glory. The restored are reconciled to Him and faithfully prepare for His coming again.

Ijeoma Umelo

Thursday 15th December

Psalm 97

Psaume 97

Glory to God

Gloire à Dieu

"The psalmist rejoices in the power and goodness of God - lightning lights up the world, the hills melt like wax and the people see clearly the glory of God. Love casts out hate, light reveals righteousness and mankind gives thanks. These sentiments are relevant to the joyous period of Advent when we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus and the goodness and righteousness he will bring to the world. The star lighted the way to Bethlehem for the Wise Men and the shepherds and they saw salvation in the form of a vulnerable baby. Zion heard and was glad and exulted God above all others. Advent is indeed a time of expectation and rejoicing."

Heather Charlton

L’Avent est bien sûr un temps d’anticipation et de rejouissance

Wednesday 14th December

2 Thessalonians 1 & end of Psalm 96

2Thessaloniciens 1et le fin de Psaume 96

Ultimate Judgement ~ L’Ultime Jugement

Judgement may be an unwelcome subject for many but it is a theme that runs right through Scripture and no-one approaching the season of Advent with eyes and mind wide open can avoid it. Any belief-set grounded in the surprisingly widespread idea that God as our Father will forgive us solely because He is merciful and loves us fatally sidesteps the central fact that above all He is HOLY, and that the only ground on which He can forgive us at all is the unimaginable violence suffered by the Holy Trinity at Calvary, as evidenced by Jesus’s agonised cry of separation from His Father on the Cross. No true view of the Fatherhood of God is valid if it marginalises His Redemptive act and the Atonement. And small wonder that Scripture leaves us in no doubt that rejection of Jesus and rebellion against the promptings of the Holy Spirit invite fearful judgement; sobering, yes, but - when we reflect that all the evil around us and our own afflictions will disappear in the fires of judgement - comforting, too, if our Faith is four-square and we remain true to it to the end.

Simon Robins