Benedictus

Luc 1:67-79   

Luke 1:67-79   

Those familiar with the ‘daily office’ in the BCP would connect easily to this ‘prophetic’ song of Zachariah. This song captures three important elements-

God’s faithfulness to his promises

God’s way leads to salvation

God’s path is peace

Zechariah and Elizabeth are old and have passed childbearing age; nevertheless, God in his faithfulness gives them a son, John. This young prophet "will be great in the sight of the Lord...and will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God".

Zechariah blesses the one who has "raised up a horn of salvation for us." Soon his own son will prepare the way for God's son, participating in God's mission of salvation by calling people to repentance for the forgiveness of sins. What a mighty task! Zechariah sings a declaration of God's purpose as a message of hope to a world in danger of losing hope: "By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

Zechariah's song is not simply to announce the birth of John the Baptist, but to proclaim God's faithfulness, God's salvation, and God's peace. During this season of Advent, as we await the birth of the Saviour of the world, let us in thanksgiving, sing together with Zechariah, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel."

Augustine Nwaekwe

Emmanuel - GOD with us Emmanuel - Dieu avec nous

Matthieu 1.18-25

Matthew1.18-25

Emmanuel - GOD with us

Emmanuel - Dieu avec nous

I write this meditation a few days after the General Synod vote not to ordain women as Bishops in the Church of England.  I am full of disappointment and somewhat battered after listening to over a 100 speeches arguing to and fro over the decision.

Here I am much comforted by this passage from Matthew.  It is a reminder that God is intimately interested in the lives of ordinary men and women.  More than that - he believes in us.  The one true, holy and loving God believes in humanity so much that he chose to allow his only son to be born to an unsophisticated Jewish girl from Nazareth. Just at this moment, it hits me afresh that is was a vulnerable young women was chosen and trusted to bring God into the world. God is full of surprises who chooses to bless us and to work in us when we are at our weakest and most vulnerable. 

Power made perfect in weakness ~ La Puissance s’accomplit dans la faiblesse

Luc 1:46-56

Luke 1:46-56                  

Power made perfect in weakness

La Puissance s’accomplit dans la faiblesse

Mary’s song of thanksgiving is a beautiful prayer for us to pray along with, during advent time, or indeed any time of the year. Mysterious things have just happened to Mary: the angel of the Lord has announced her very own virgin birth, and John (the Baptist to be) has just leaped of joy in his mother’s womb. No business-as-usual, to say the least.

But Mary immediately grasps the idea. Or more correctly, her heart intuitively breaks out in praise. And what is more, this praise recognizes the nature of what is to come, namely that the Saviour who is to be born of her does not fit into conventional and secular ideas of divine power, but that it is a Saviour who lifts the humble and weak, by becoming a baby himself. Decades later it is as if Paul is echoing the words of Mary, where this same Saviour promises that “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul’s intention to “boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Cor. 12: 8-9) was therefore only a slightly more “intellectual” reformulation of Mary’s song of thanksgiving decades earlier. Both remain very relevant for us today. 

Lukas 1:46-56

Kracht in zwakheid

Maria’s lied van dankzegging is een prachtig gebed voor ons om mee te bidden in de adventtijd, of wanneer dan ook in het jaar. Mysterieuze dingen zijn net gebeurd in het leven van Maria: de engel van de Heer heeft aangekondigd dat ze als maagd een kind zal krijgen en Johannes (de Doper-in-wording) trappelt van vreugde in de buik van zijn moeder. Dat zijn niet bepaald alledaagse gebeurtenissen.

Maar Maria heeft direct door hoe de vork in de steel zit. Beter gezegd, haar hart schakelt als vanzelf over op lofprijs en dankzegging. En dit dankgebed laat een inzicht zien in datgene wat staat te gebeuren, namelijk dat de Redder - die uit Maria geboren zal worden - niet zal passen in de gewoonlijke ideeën van goddelijke kracht, maar dat het een Redder zal zijn die de nederigen en zwakken opheft, door zelf een baby te worden. Tientallen jaren later lijkt Paulus naar de woorden van Maria te verwijzen wanneer hij vertelt van diezelfde Redder die zegt “Mijn genade is u genoeg, want de kracht openbaart zich eerst ten volle in zwakheid”. Paulus’ voornemen, “zal ik dus in zwakheden nog meer roemen, opdat de kracht van Christus over mij kome” (2 Kor. 12: 8-9), was dus eigenlijk een wat meer intellectuele benadering van Maria’s dankgebed van tientallen jaren terug. Beiden blijven ook vandaag de dag erg relevant voor ons.           

Arttu  Makipaa

I’ll be watching you ~ Je vous vais regarder

 Le Psaume 121

Psalm 121

Every breath you take
And every move you make
Every bond you break, every step you take
I'll be watching you

Every single day
And every word you say
Every game you play, every night you stay
I'll be watching you

Sting and the Police, ‘I’ll be watching you’

These lyrics highlight the differences between humanity and divinity. Sting has spoken about the negative motivations of these lyrics which describe a possessive and jealous human love.

But when you read the Psalm the sense you get isn’t of an oppressive claustrophobic desire but of God’s patient and ever-present love for us. Just as the sun and moon are inherently present in our world, without requiring or needing us, God is always there. Even when we try to turn away from him he remains, not to force us to turn back to him, but to be patiently waiting ready to rejoice when we choose to return.

Listening to, or reading, the lyrics in this light opens our eyes to the gracious, merciful and incredible love God has for us and transforms the jealous love of the song into something we can trust surrounds and protects us in all its awesomeness.

Georgie Morgan

"Be still and know that I am God" (v 10) «Arrêtez! dit-il, reconnaissez-moi pour Dieu.» (v11)

Le Psaume 46

Psalm 46

"Be still and know that I am God" (v 10)

«Arrêtez! dit-il, reconnaissez-moi pour Dieu.» (v11)

In this psalm of praise we find one of the most well known and well loved lines in the Bible: "Be still and know that I am God" (v. 10). One is reminded of an equally well loved hymn "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind" which speaks of  "The still small voice of calm." Amidst the chaos through the ages, not only in biblical times but even now, God is our refuge and strength (v.1). As the psalmist speaks of the waters that roar and are troubled and the mountains that shake and swell (v.3), we are reminded of times past and more recent events: earthquakes in New Zealand, tsunami in Japan and most recently Hurricane Sandy. The gift of time teaches us that we are not living in isolated times, but that the continuity of time can teach us so much.

Heather Charlton

Look and listen ~ Regardez et Écoutez

Ésaïe 51.1–8 

Isaiah 51.1–8              

Look and listen

Regardez et Écoutez

God calls his people to attention. God tells his people to use their senses: their ears and their eyes. Four times God appeals to our hearing (the same as in “Hear, O Israel…”of Deuteronomy 6:4), four times to our vision. This is a wake-up call to our senses. Look and listen, see and hear what God has in store. Just as he did to Abraham and Sarah, he will bless his hopeless people abundantly.

This is his announcement to the desperate exiles: comfort and compassion; justice, righteousness and salvation. New creation where there are currently deserts and wastelands. This new creation will be more durable and reliable than heaven and earth.

Advent is a time for using our senses; a time for coming to our senses; a time to become sensitive to God’s promises; a time to open up; a time to wake up to God’s abundant love.

Ask God ~ Avant toute décision demande conseil à Dieu.

Matthieu 1:18-24

Matthew1:18-24

Dieu est Amour : Il nous  écoute, Il nous parle et Il fait grâce.  Le destin de chacun est dans les mains de Dieu.  Les mystères de Dieu sont incompréhensibles  à l’Homme.      (Iby’Imana n’amayobera matagatifu)

Alors que je vivais encore en Afrique, je me suis vu en songe en Europe ; je me voyais au milieu des hommes blancs ; quand je regardais la nature, je me demandais si en Europe pouvaient aussi y avoir des herbes et des arbres, comme ceux de chez nous ».Et voilà que même la nature qui nous révèle habituellement l’existence, dépasse de loin notre entendement et notre intelligence.

Oh Alléluia !

L’homme propose mais Dieu dispose ! Dans la Bible nous trouvons beaucoup d’exemples : Joseph qui était un homme de bien s’est proposait de rompre secrètement avec Marie ! Mais l’Ange du Seigneur lui apparut en songe et  lui dit : Joseph ne crains pas ! (Mat1, 19) Et il lui expliqua ce qu’étaient vraiment les projets de Dieu,  contrairement à ce qu’il  pensait.

Nous trouvons aussi beaucoup d’autres exemples dans l’Ancien testament.

L’histoire de Balaam lorsque il frappait son ânesse ! L’Eternel ouvrit ses yeux, et lui expliqua tout en justifiant la réaction de l’ânesse. (Nombre 22, 31). La bible contient beaucoup  d’autres exemples similaires : Abraham, Pierre, Jacob, Gédéon, Corneille,  etc… La lecture de tous ces reçus nous révèle que seul Dieu est maître de l’histoire et que c’est Lui qui contrôle nos pas.

L’Ange de Dieu est toujours présent dans toutes nos situations.

Ainsi, avant toute décision, demandons toujours des conseils à l’Ange gardien afin d’agir conformément à la volonté de Dieu.

Ne restons pas comme des poteaux dans l’Eglise de Dieu, faisons sa volonté !

Donnons notre amour à la famille de Dieu !

Que Dieu vous bénisse, vous tous qui lisez ce message.

Je vous aime beaucoup !

Frieda Mukanyangezi

Starship Gospel

Matthieu 1:1-17

Matthew1:1-17

Captain Kirk: Any news about the received subspace transmission Dr Spock?

First Officer Spock: It lists the genealogy of a very important person, whose birth marks the beginning of a new era Captain.

Kirk: Whom Dr Spock?

Spock: Jesus of Nazareth, called the Christ, or the Anointed One, Sir.

Kirk: Can you be more specific Dr Spock?

Spock: Yes Captain, the message states he is a direct descendant of Abraham,

14 generations separate him from David, 14 separate him from the exile to Babylon and 14 from the exile in Babylon to Jesus.

Spock: Captain we’ve just lost half the brain power of our new neural mark IV scizo class computer. Sir, this is transmitted in an ancient language called Hebrew, Sir and beyond my vulkan knowledge. ‘Says Spock raising an eyebrow’.

Kirk: ‘Thinking, nothing can beat the good old bistromatics class’.  First Science Officer Paulina, aren’t you familiar with these ancient texts, can you assist us?

First Science Officer Paulina: Yes, Captain there seems to be a hidden message here, Sir.

Kirk: Can you be more precise, Officer Paulina.

Paulina: Yes Sir, the writer is making a covert reference to King David, one of their most loved leaders. In ancient Hebrew vowels weren’t written, David or DVD was written TIT.

As each letter represented also a number, T, pronounced Daleth, had the value of 4 and I pronounced Vav, had the value of 6, so 4+6+4 = 14 is the name of King David Sir.

Kirk: Good work, Officer Paulina.

Paulina: Captain, I think there is a second hidden meaning in this transmission Sir; the number isn’t just 14, but 3 x 14 Sir. Number 3 meaning in ancient Hebrew “Divine Fullness, Completeness or Perfection” Sir.

I conclude Sir, that this message is destined for a specific group of people and announces the arrival of a new Saviour Sir, a “Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time and forever”.

Kirk: Excellent work Officer Paulina, have you anything to add Dr Spock.

Spock: Fascinating Sir, ‘raising his second eyebrow’…

Peter Gysens Geneva 15.11.2012

Love and mercy for all

Ésaïe 25:1-9

Isaiah 25:1-9

Here we see words of God’s all-encompassing love and mercy. Those in trouble and need, those seeking to find comfort, can find reassurance here. Although including words of destruction of foreigners, the passage goes on to say that all people will be released from the shadow which surrounds them and the tears wiped from all eyes.

Gott ist mit jeder. Er tröstet alle Leute. Und jedermann wird zu Seinem Fest kommen und sich freuen.

Naomi Brown

Time, Treasure, Talents ~ Temps, Trésor, Talents

1Thessaonliciens 4:13-18

1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18

Time, Treasure, Talents

Temps, Trésor, Talents

We are all stewards of three precious God-given gifts, which can conveniently be called the “3Ts”: Time, Treasure, Talents. Paul encourages us in his first letter to the Thessalonian Church to keep our eyes on the eventual prospect of the Lord’s return and not allow our attention to be excessively diverted by worldly concerns or events, even including undue dwelling on the memory of those who have preceded us into the anteroom of eternity. Of course, grieving the loss of loved ones is a process we must all go through from time to time; but eventually we must move on and ensure that, as far as we possibly can, we “redeem the time”, seizing every opportunity to witness to God’s love, for time lost or wasted cannot be regained and the Lord, for whom “one day is as 1,000 years”, will require us to account for our use of it…..

Simmon Robbins

The wisdom of Christ ~ La sagesse du Christ

Matthew 11 :16-19

Matthieu 11 :16-19

We've all had times when we have felt completely misunderstood. We all know what it feels like when someone has it in for us. And maybe we somehow link what is happening to us to our being Christian……

Jesus was frequently misunderstood. I personally find it exasperatingly difficult when some of his hearers do not see his wonderful meanings – that seem obvious to me.

The Bible encourages us to cultivate the mind of Christ. But if we are serious about this, it could have at least a couple of consequences. Firstly, it will lead to the opposite of a meeting of minds on occasions – there will be a "missing" of minds. And secondly, this experience of separation may lead to sadness or regret, at least initially.

Our Bible passage today heralds the triumph of wisdom. This wisdom of Christ is not necessarily the wisdom of others who do not know Him. Let's pray today that we will cling to godly wisdom and its fruits even if it means counting the cost. 

Nous avons tous expérimenté un temps quand nous nous sommes mal compris. Nous connaissons tous comment cela fait du mal quand quelqu'un veut nous menacer. Et peut-être cela parce qu'on est chrétien.……

Jésus fut fréquemment mal compris. Personnellement, je trouve très difficile quand ses écouteurs ne ressentent pas le sens merveilleux de ses mots. Particulièrement lorsque le sens de ces mots me semblent tout-à-fait évident.

La Bible nous encourage de cultiver l'esprit du Christ. Si nous sommes sérieux en cela, il se peut qu'il  y aurait au moins deux conséquences. Premièrement, il nous menera à l'opposé d'une entente avec d'autres. Et deuxièmement, cette séparation des autres va engendrer la tristesse ou un sens de perte, au moins au préalable.

Notre lecture biblique d'aujourd'hui met en relief le triomphe de la sagesse. Cette sagesse du Christ n'est pas nécessairement la sagesse d'autrui qui ne le connaissent pas. Prions aujourd'hui que nous nous accrocherons à la sagesse de Dieu et ses fruits, même si cela veut dire que nous souffrons pendant un peu de temps.    

Sue Bird

Let God Clear the Way ~ Laissez Dieu Effacer la Voie

1Thessaloniciens 3

1 Thessalonians 3

Paul is often known for his firm, unwavering faith, for "standing firm in the Lord" like the Thessalonians he commends in verse 8. Once he even boldly corrects Peter the Rock in front of everybody, in standing up for the international brotherhood (Gal 2:11-14). And in 1 Corinthians, on questions that brotherhood was in danger of being divided and uncertain on (1:10-12), he boldly declares God's commands for the whole international Church: "as in all the congregations of the saints ... what I am writing to you is the Lord's command" (14:33,37), "we have no other practice - nor do the churches of God" (11:16), "I give this command (not I, but the Lord)" (7:10), ...

 But there is another side to him. His firmness of faith goes hand and hand with a beautiful openness and flexibility. On those many questions which are not so clear-cut, his language is much more nuanced: "I say this (I, not the Lord)" (1 Cor 7:12), "because of the present crisis, I think that it is good that..." (v.26), "in my judgment" (v.40)... And it is this side of him that comes across so very humanely in this chapter to the Thessalonians. He decides when to act towards them, not because of this or that principle or at this or that agreed time, but simply because his heart has had enough and he "could stand it no longer" (v.1 & 5). He hears some lovely news about them from his beloved Timothy and feels he just has to respond (v.6-7). He prays earnestly day and night and waits to see when and how God will "clear the way" forward (v.11).

 So with both firm faith and open minds, we pray that God will clear the way forward. We can join in with the Advent prayer in the last two verses, that the Lord will make our love increase and overflow (v.12) and firmly strengthen our hearts to make us ready for when He comes again with His saints (v.13). "For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words" (4:16-18).

 James Pitts

Jesus’ invitation ~ L’invitation de Jésus

Matthieu 11:28-30

Matthew 11: 28 – end

I’ve chosen this passage because it has a very strong and powerful message even though it’s only a short passage.

This passage contains one of Jesus’ biggest invitations, but also a very great request. The invitation is meant for all of us, because the burden refers to the sin we all carry, the weary on the other hand refers to us trying to not live in sin, but still failing. The demand on the other hand is very demanding because He asks us to take up His yoke. This is something very hard to do and almost imaginable, because it means working extremely hard to achieve your goal. However, Jesus continues in saying that He’ll teach us how to work and rest at the same time, just like He does. So our tasks ahead a very hard and heavy if we do them all by ourselves, but with the help of God we can achieve a great deal and help spread His most wonderful word.

De invitatie van Jezus – Mattheüs 11: 28 - einde

Ik heb voor deze passage gekozen omdat het een zeer sterke en krachtige boodschap heeft desondanks het maar een korte passage is.

Deze passage bevat één van de grootste uitnodigingen van Jezus, maar ook een zeer grote eis. De invitatie is bedoeld voor iedereen, want de last verwijst naar de zondes die we allemaal dragen, aan de andere kant heeft de vermoeide betrekking tot het proberen om zonder zonde te leven en toch nog te falen. De eis echter is zeer veeleisend, want Hij vraagt ons om Zijn juk op ons te nemen. Dit is iets dat zeer moeilijk te doen is en ook bijna onmogelijk, want het betekent dat we zeer hard zullen moeten werken om ons doel te bereiken. Hoewel, Jezus gaat verder met te zeggen dat Hij ons zal leren om tegelijkertijd te werken en te rusten, net zoals Hij. Dus de taken die ons nog te wachten staan zullen zeer hard en zwaar zijn als we deze helemaal in ons eentje willen klaren, maar met de hulp van God kunnen we heel wat realiseren en meehelpen met het verspreiden van Zijn wonderbare Woord.

Jenny Freeman

Your kingdom come ~ Ton règne vienne

Le Psaume 13

Psalm13

Your kingdom come

Ton règne vienne

David, anointed king by Samuel the prophet, waits for his promised kingdom as he endures Saul’s persecution in the desert. He cries, How long, Yehovah, will you continually forget me? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Saul, rejected by God but addicted to power, is doomed to oppose him. But that opposition is Saul’s destruction. He pursues the one who could save Israel from the Philistines, and is slain by them. And so, in the fullness of time, the Lord’s anointed receives his throne.

In the same way, David’s greater son, our anointed King Jesus, waits until the time of his kingdom. Satan and the rulers of earth are doomed to oppose him, as Saul opposed David, for his triumph is their downfall. But we, who long for his appearing, say, How long, Yehovah. Your kingdom come!

David Mitchell

What if? Que Faire Si?

Luc 5:17-26

Luke 5:17-26

We all know this particular story: some men have a friend who desperately needs help and, despite crowds of people, disapproving Pharisees and the walls and roof of somebody’s house, they get their friend to Jesus and they see the miraculous happen. But what if things had been different?

What if, on that particular day, the Pharisees had been busy? What if the men carrying their friend had been feeling lazy? What if the crowd had been smaller, or the walls taller, or the roof thicker?

Would Jesus still have healed this man? 

 I don’t doubt it! Jesus was not a showman. He wasn’t waiting for the perfect opportunity to rub it in the Pharisees’ faces. The dramatic entrance of a crippled man through the ceiling wasn’t his springboard to stardom. No, throughout Jesus’ life, even from the way He enters our lives at Advent, He acts in gentleness, and in love, and in the quiet assurance of His being the Son of God. 

What if He were a star? Would we be better at paying attention?

--

Nous connaissons tous cette histoire : des hommes ont un ami qui a besoin de la guérison et, malgré une foule énorme, des Pharisiens désapprobateurs et les murs et toit d’une maison, ils parviennent à Jésus et assistent à une miracle. Mais que se serait-il passé si les choses n’avaient pas été ainsi ?

Si, ce jour là, les Pharisiens avaient été  occupés ? Ou si les hommes avec leur ami avaient senti paresseux ? Ou si la foule avait été plus petite, ou les murs plus hauts, ou le toit plus épais ?

Jésus, aurait-il guéri cet homme ?

Sans doute ! Jésus ne faisait jamais un spectacle. Il n’attendait pas le moment parfait pour remuer le couteau dans la plaie des Pharisiens. Il ne se servait pas de l’entrée dramatique d’un homme à travers le toit comme tremplin pour arriver au statut de « célébrité ». Non, comme à chaque moment dans sa vie, même lorsqu’il arrive parmi nous à l’avent, il agit en toute douceur, en tout amour, et avec l’assurance calme du fait qu’il soit le Fils de Dieu.

Et s’il était une vedette ? Est-ce que nous serions plus attentifs?

Nick Kenchington

Joy in fellowship~La Joie dans la communion

Philippiens 1:3-11
Philippians 1:3-11
Joy in fellowship   La Joie dans la communion

Paul gets great joy from the members of the church at Philippi. But it didn't come automatically. Look at some of the ways he works for that joy:

-He thanks God whenever he prays for them. Taking time to be aware of good things and to thank God for them is crucial to our being able to receive joy.

-He shares the gospel with them as a partner; that is, an equal. Can we honour each other's faith, and respect difference ways of living it out?

-He held them in his heart. This means that he cared, that he allowed himself to be vulnerable to -and for- them. How many people do we allow that far into our hearts?

As a Christian community, do we find joy in each other? Perhaps it depends if we are willing to commit ourselves as Paul did.

Ann Milton

Regen’, een lied ~ A song called ‘Rain’ ~Une Chanson qui s’appelle La ‘Pluie’

Le Psaume 126, Psalmen 126

Psalm 126

De regen valt bij bakken uit de hemel

in mijn tuin en op het ongeschonden gras

Het lot van dit stuk aarde lijkt bezegeld

deze modderpoel die ooit zo prachtig was

En ik weet wat het doet

En ik vrees deze vloed

 De tranen vallen bij bakken uit de ogen

op het kussen en op de ongeschonden ziel

Ze zeggen niets maar spreken toch bewogen

van een struikelblok waar iemand over viel

En ik weet wat ik mis

En ik vrees dat liefde niet meer is

Genade valt bij bakken uit de hemel

overvloedig in de uitgestrekte hand

Het doorbreekt de dreigementen van de nevel

de liefde woelt in het verdroogde zand

En ik weet, het is daar

En ik vrees dat jij het droog verklaart

The rain pours out of the skies abundantly

onto my garden, onto the perfectly sown grass

The fate of this piece of land seems set in stone

this pool of mud that used to be so pleasing to the eye

And I know what it does

And I fear this great flood

The tears flow out of the eyes abundantly

onto the pillow, into souls so young and pure

They don’t say a word, yet speak so movingly

about the stumbling block that once caused us to fall

 And I know what I’ve missed

And I fear that love has been dismissed

 Mercy pours out of the skies abundantly

pouring onto the hand stretched out to heaven

It pierces the threat of the gloom, of the fog

love comes and plows the dry soil of my heart

 And I know it is here

And I fear you’ll deny the clouds are near 

Idolatry

Ésaïe 44:9-23

Isaiah 44: 9 -23

Idolatry

In Isaiah’s day idols were images made of various materials. They were concrete and visible. In today’s world idols are different. Contemporary idols are abstract (wealth, fame, power, etc.) No matter the nature of idols they are useless; they don’t give satisfaction.  Only God can.  We should remember that always, Satan’s desire is to lure man away from the TRUE God to the worship of idols. Christians are not immune.  Let us therefore be on our guard.

 Do you have an idol in your life?

L’Idolâtrie

 Le Seigneur notre Dieu nous rappelle dans ce passage que les idoles n’ont aucune utilité. Qu’elles soient visibles - objets façonnées, ou idoles modernes (pouvoir, argent réussite,) elles ne peuvent  donner  satisfaction; seul Dieu peut. Elles sont dégradantes et destructrices.  Soyons donc sur nos gardes !

 Y-a-t’il une idole dans ta vie ?

Lucy Limunga Fonderson

Israel the Lord's Chosen

Ésaïe 44:1-8

Isaiah 44:1-8                               

The author of Isaiah 44: 1-8 invites us to understand, without fear, that a great gift is awaiting us. We are part of the chosen people part of God’s creating and with the angels and archangels we are to be waiting on the restoration of His kingdom on Earth at Christmas. He has prepared it – Why do we still doubt? 

L'auteur d’Ésaïe 44 : 1-8 nous invite à comprendre, sans crainte, qu’un grand cadeau nous attend. Nous font part du peuple élu de Dieu et de sa création. Avec les anges et les archanges nous devons être en attente sur la restauration de son royaume sur terre à Noël. Il l’en a préparé – pourquoi on en doute encore? 

Der Autor von Jesaja44:1-8 lädt uns ein, ohne Angst, zu verstehen, dass ein großes Geschenk auf uns wartet. Wir sind Teil des auserwählten Volkes und der Schöpfung Gottes. Mit den Engeln und Erzengeln warten wir auf die Wiederherstellung Seines Reiches auf Erden an Weihnachten. Er hat alles vorbereitet – warum haben wir noch Zweifel? 

De auteur van Jesaja44:1-8 nodigt ons uit om zonder angst te begrijpen, dat een geweldig geschenk op ons wacht. Wij maken deel uit van het uitverkoren volk en van de schepping van God. Met de engelen en aartsengelen dienen we te wachten op het herstel van Zijn koninkrijk op aarde met Kerstmis. Hij heeft alles voorbereid - waarom hebben we dan nog steeds twijfels?

Birte Day

The Best Way

 Le Psaume 76

Psalm 76 

Advent is a time for reflexion and waiting. A time when we can pause and meditate on the coming and birth of our Saviour and Lord.

God is powerful and mighty, judging us from above. It encourages us to fear him only and demonstrates his tremendous power towards men.

It is, though, joy that one should feel in this text. One must be pleased to serve God giving of our time and sometimes our other activities.

In the last two verses we are encouraged to make vows and to fulfill them. One of Britain’s most charismatic figures has accomplished just that her whole life through. This year, Great-Britain and the commonwealth celebrated one of its most historic jubilees ever.

May we also pray for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who during these last 60 years of her life has always encouraged faith and dedicated her existence to serve both God and her subjects.

May all of us, young and old, wherever we may be, whatever language we speak, praise God Almighty in this season of waiting and reflexion and continue to be inspired by the Holy Scriptures.

Lord, make us realise that what we desire most thy Heavenly Father shall grant us when have feared thee in the best possible way. Amen

L’Avant est période de réflexion et d’attente. Une période propice à la méditation de l’arrivée et la naissance de notre sauveur et seigneur.

Le Psaume 76 nous démontre un Dieu puissant qui nous juge depuis les cieux. Il nous encourage à le louer et démontre sa force et son pouvoir sur les hommes.

C’est pourtant de la joie que l’on peut retenir de ce texte. L’on doit être heureux de servir Dieu tout en donnant de notre temps et parfois de nos autres activités.

Dans les deux derniers vers nous sommes invités à faire des promesses et à les accomplir. L’une des figures britannique les plus charismatiques n’a fait rien de moins durant l’entièreté de sa vie. Cette année La Grande-Bretagne et le Commonwealth ont célébrés l’un de leurs jubilés les plus historiques.

Puissions-nous aussi prier pour sa Majesté la Reine Elizabeth II qui pendent ces 60 dernières années de sa vie a toujours encouragé la foi et dédié son existence au service de Dieu et ses sujets.

Puissions-nous tous, jeunes et âgés, peu importe la langue ou l’endroit, prier Dieu dans cette saison d’attente et de réflexion et continuer de s’inspirer des Saintes Ecritures.

Seigneur, laisse-nous prendre conscience que ce que nous désirons le plus nous sera octroyé quand nous vous aurons craint de la meilleur manière qu’il soit.  Amen.                                      

 Julian Boutique.

Restored

Le Psaume 80

Psalm80

For many of us Christmas is a time of pressure, of stress. At work we might be trying to finish off various things for the end of the year.  At home we may be preoccupied with family, obligations, gift choosing and card writing… It is no wonder that many of us sometimes feel swamped… But here, the psalmist reminds us that there is a chance for restoration and peace at this time of year – and every time of year.  We can find it in God.  We can look to God and bathe in his magnificence, allow His love and care for us to sooth our stress-filled minds.  We can be thankful that God sent his son Jesus to our earth to restore our relationship with God the Father so we could have that intimate, reviving relationship at any time of the year.  This is the greatest gift of all.

¹⁸ Sois avec l'homme qui se tient à ta droite,
avec cet homme que tu as fait grandir pour toi!

¹⁹ Et, jamais plus, nous ne te quitterons.
Fais-nous revivre et nous t'invoquerons!

²⁰ O Eternel, Dieu des armées célestes, rétablis-nous,
montre-toi favorable, et nous serons sauvés!

17 Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand,

    the son of man you have raised up for yourself.

18 Then we will not turn away from you;

    revive us, and we will call on your name.

19 Restore us, Lord God Almighty;

    make your face shine on us,

    that we may be saved.

Heather Roy

Christ’s love for us is universal ~L’amour qu’a le Christ pour nous est universel

Matthieu  8:5-11

Matthew 8:5-11

There are three striking aspects to this passage. First, Jesus’ immediate and unflinching willingness to go and heal the centurion’s servant, regardless of the fact that he is a Gentile. We are reminded of the importance of ignoring prejudices which our society, or indeed we ourselves, may have. Second, the centurion’s unquestioning faith in Jesus’ ability to cure his servant, even from a distance. This level of faith, especially from someone even Jesus did not expect to believe (he is “astonished”), is an example to us all. Finally, Jesus’ promise that anyone who demonstrates faith as the centurion did, wherever they come from (“east”  or “west”), has a place in the kingdom of heaven. This effectively confirms the first two points: any barriers there may seem to be between us are insignificant, and Christ’s love for us is universal.

Matthieu  8:5-11

Ce passage comprend trois aspects frappants. D’abord, la volonté immédiate et déterminée de Jésus d’aller guérir le serviteur du centenier, bien qu’il soit un gentil. Ceci nous rappelle l’importance d’ignorer les préjugés que notre société peut avoir ou bien que nous pouvons avoir nous-mêmes. Deuxièmement, la foi inconditionnelle du centenier en la capacité de Jésus de guérir son serviteur, même de loin. Ce niveau de foi, surtout de la part de quelqu’un dont même Jésus n’attendait pas une telle foi (il est « dans l’étonnement »), servit comme exemple pour nous tous. Enfin, la promesse de Jésus que chacun qui démontre sa foi comme le centenier, d’où qu’il vienne (« l’orient » ou « l’occident »), a sa place dans le royaume des cieux. Ceci confirme effectivement les deux premiers points : toute barrière qui semble nous séparer n’a pas d’importance et l’amour qu’a le Christ pour nous est universel.

Maranatha

Sunday 2^nd December  

Jean 3:1-17

John 3:1-17

Advent is about coming. For most it is about the coming of Christmas. But at another level Advent is about a future coming at the end of time. The Advent hymns we delight to sing are about the sort of end-time events described in today’s gospel.

The early Christians believed the end of all things was imminent. We have learnt to live with the truth that the coming again of Christ is deferred. But how is it a source of hope?

We naturally conceive the end of all things in terms of man-made disaster – ecological, or nuclear perhaps. But the language of Jesus Second Coming is about an altogether different intervention by God – a putting right of all wrongs, a judgement that heals, a redemption that is universal.

So in Advent there is truly hope: of a God who is coming and who will bring all things to completion and wholeness.

Therefore we pray: “Maranatha. Come Lord Jesus and touch the whole world.”

Robert Innes