Advent Day 19 – Luke 2 verses 1 – 5 (Song – Guide our feet Lord)
Bible Reading Luke 2 verses 1 – 5
2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
Opening Prayer
Lord, we thank you that in the journeys we do not want to make you are always with us. We rejoice that we are part of your family. We pray that we will hear your voice on our Advent journey as you lead us once again to your side. Help us by the power of your Holy Spirit to travel filled with hope and expectation. Amen
Reflection
It is 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem and about a 4 day walk. Even when not imminently expecting a baby. Mary would not have been counted in the census so it is interesting to ponder why she traveled with Joseph to Bethlehem.
Perhaps Joseph wanted to have Mary with him so that there would not be any unpleasant gossiping about her whilst he was away. Perhaps the fact that the Prophets had indicated that the Messiah would be born in the town of Bethlehem played its part. What ever the reason Mary finds herself on the road.
I wonder if you have ever been made to do things you did not really want to do. If you did maybe good things came about as a result. We are fortunate in the UK that we generally are not forced to do things. It is not a difficult thing to look into the world and see where this is not the case. People displaced by climate change, economic pressures, war, violence and oppression. Caesar Augustus wanted to make sure he was extracting as much tax as possible from the population so that he could remain in power. Some of our world leaders have not learnt the lessons Jesus came to teach us.
A time for your own reflection
Read the passage again and spend a little time thinking of how the passage speaks to you. The wonder of scripture is that there is always something new to discover and each passage speaks to us in our own need and circumstances.
Only if you feel you want to – share your thoughts with someone. God inspires our thoughts and you never know, the person you share with may be waiting to hear what you have to say.
Song
Here is the next song –
“Guide our feet Lord”
Today’s song came about when Gerry showed me a short poem / prayer he had written at one of our Create and Celebrate services. Val suggested that I would probably turn it into a song – which I did. It seems an appropriate song for today as we think about journeys. Starting each day as a fresh new start.
I produced a slightly pop version as well as the original I created for Gerry.
Music: Generated on Suno.com
Guide our feet Lord, Lead us onwardIn the light of a brand new day
Lead us onward ever onward
Teach us more of you, today
Start this day in prayer and praises
A fresh new start to every day
In the light of a brand new day
Lead us onward ever onward
Teach us more of you, today
[Verse 2]
So we pray for help and guidance,
As we learn more of your way,
Guide our hearts and hands and voices,
As we serve you in your world today.
In the light of a brand new day
Lead us onward ever onward
Teach us more of you, today
Let us hear your voice which guides us
In your great works our part to play
In the light of a brand new day,
Lead us onward ever onward,
Teach us more of you, today.
Let us hear your voice which guides us
In your great works our part to play
Music: Generated on Suno.com
In the light of a brand new day
Lead us onward ever onward
Teach us more of you, today
Start this day in prayer and praises,
A fresh new start to every day.
Start this day in prayer and praises,
A fresh new start to every day.
In the light of a brand new day
Lead us onward ever onward
Teach us more of you, today
[Verse 3]
So we pray for help and guidance,
As we learn more, of your way,
Guide our hearts, and hands, and voices,
As we serve you in your world today.
In the light of a brand new day,
Lead us onward ever onward,
Teach us more of you, today.
Let us hear your voice which guides us,
In your great works our part to play.
In the light of a brand new day,
Lead us onward ever onward,
Teach us more of you, today. Today!
Prayer
Loving God, we thank you that the promise you had made through the prophets is coming to its fulfillment in our bible reading today. Open our eyes to see the wonders of the familiar story of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. Let us tingle in our souls as we once again celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Lord, as we read the account of the events leading up to Jesus’ birth we see the twists and turns of the plans of men weaved into your perfect plan of salvation for us all. We thank You, that that in the world today you continue to offer us a place in the magnificent sweep of your creative and redeeming work on earth. Help us to keep our eyes focused on you, to trust you in all things. Take all that we have and are and use it to build your kingdom of love and peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Copyrights
Reflections and Prayers
By Chris Hancock
Songs
Words of the songs are by Chris Hancock
Music generated on Suno.com
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Bible Readings
Bible readings are from the New International Version (NIV)
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Images
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