Our Advent Reflections this year have been written by Methodist Women in Britain CoChairs Maggie Woods and Leonora Wassell.
These have also been published in the Methodist Recorder 29th November 2024.
Please acknowledge the writers and this publication when using these reflections in any services or publication.
WEEK 1: Zechariah – Voice of Disbelief
Luke 1:5-25
READ the passage slowly.
REPEAT the passage a few times until you are familiar with it.
REVEAL which sentence strikes you. What questions come to your mind?
REFLECT on how you are challenged?
REFLECTION
I wonder how Zechariah felt as he went to perform this ritual. He and his wife Elizabeth were childless. They were a righteous couple, which meant that they observed all the laws scrupulously. They would have asked themselves what they had done wrong to deserve this shame, for it was seen to be shameful for a Priest to be childless. As a couple they would have prayed to God for their shame to be lifted. However, now past the age of childbearing they may have questioned the validity of prayer as their prayers seemed to have been ignored. Did he go to perform his priestly task of burning the incense in the Temple with a heavy heart? He was performing this ritual for all the people who were praying fervently outside. Did he question the point of it all? Had he become bitter towards God for unanswered prayer? We are told he was a righteous man; did he accept the situation and trust in God? I would like to believe that he was performing this task with reverence and peace. I know when I was going through a difficult time in my life, when I felt God was not answering my prayer, the only time I felt at peace was when I was celebrating communion as a priest.
Whatever was going on in his mind he would not be expecting anyone else to be present whilst he was burning incense. He was naturally startled when he became aware of the presence of the angel. In fact, he was frightened, for the angel tells him not to be. This is the verse stands out for me are the words of the angel, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah,; your prayer has been heard”.
The angel goes on to tell him that he and his wife will indeed have a son, one who would bring many people back to God. Despite being righteous and trusting in God Zechariah cannot take this in. His initial reaction is one of disbelief for the simple fact that his wife is beyond childbearing years. If he had time to reflect, he would have remembered the words of Jeremiah. ‘Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17
Jesus did remember and told his disciples when they questioned him that, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26). These are words of hope. When we think we are facing an impossible situation which we cannot resolve we can recall these words of both Jeremiah and Jesus. As we offer our prayers, we can be assured that they are heard and that impossible things can happen. When we feel our prayers are not being answered in the affirmative it is easy to think that God is not listening and is ignoring our heartfelt pleas for justice, for healing, for forgiveness. We too may feel that there is no point to prayer and give up. Give up on God, give up on the Church, give up on life. Jesus tells us to persevere in prayer. In Luke 18:1-8 Christ’s parable of the persistent widow teaches us that we are to continue to pray and not falter or become dejected if our prayers do not seem to be answered right away.
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
- When have you felt God has not answered your prayers? How did that make you feel? How did you handle it?
- When have you been surprised by God?
- When have you disbelieved what God has been saying to you?
- In what ways has God revealed himself to you?
- Do you feel God is calling you to go before him and prepare the way? If so, in what ways can you prepare the way?
PRAYING WITH OUR IMAGINATION
Find a comfortable position, with your feet firmly placed on the ground and your hands placed on your knees. Relax, breath in and out slowly, being aware of your breath. Breathe in God’s peace and breathe out any tension or anxiety. Relax your body, releasing the tension in your body. Tense the muscles of your feet and relax; move to your legs and tense your muscles and relax; tense the muscles of your hips and relax; tense the muscles of your back and relax; tense the muscles in your shoulders and relax, finally tense the muscles in your face and relax.
In your imagination you find yourself in the Temple at the Holy Place of the altar of incense. Picture the scene. The altar stands in the middle of the room, four foot high and two foot square. The gold inlay shimmers in the candlelight. There are four horns, one at each corner with rings of gold on each side for the poles to carry the altar. Behind the altar is a veil which separates it from the Holy Of Holies where the Ark is kept. The very place which contains the presence of God. What does it feel like to be in this special place? Drink in the peace.
You are startled by Zechariah, the old priest coming in and step back into the shadows. Observe his demeanour as he enters….. how does he walk?…does he look distracted?…. upset?…. full of reverence?…..
Watch as he lights the incense….. see the smoke rise… smell the heady scent of the incense….. as he does this the crowds outside are fervently praying. Offer your prayers to God. Tell him of your deepest concerns….your hopes and desires…. See your prayers ascend with the smoke of the incense.
Now once again pay attention to the priest. Watch as he is startled….observe the fear on his face as he falls to his knees. You now see what has startled him… an angel is standing at the right hand of the alter…. How does it appear to you?… hear the angel reassure Zechariah not to be afraid for his prayers have been answered…. Observe Zechariah’s reaction as he hears that he and his wife, well passed childbearing age, will have a son who will be filled with the Holy Spirit…. See his bewilderment grow as the angel continues to tell him that his son will bring many back to God….. Listen to his response.. his voice of disbelief, scepticism as he asks Gabriel, “How can this be”
Hear the majestic words of the Angel, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God and have been sent to tell you this good news.”…..Gabriel goes on to tell him that he will be silent, because of his disbelief, until it comes true…..look at Zechariahs face…how did he receive this news?
Gabriel turns to you…. Hear him tell you not to be afraid, that your prayers have been heard….. what is your reaction?…..do you trust God or are you sceptical? Answer Gabriel …….
Now watch as Zechariah leaves the room…. You are left with your thoughts of the encounter…what are they? Offer these to God and leave the room yourself.
INTERCESSIONS
As we wait for the light of the world to come we pray for those lives are
governed by dark feelings and fear.
For all those who have come to believe their voices and requests will not be heard.
We stand with those who feel there is no hope that can be trusted.
Help us to be supportive and non-judgemental towards those
who struggle with their mental health and
for those who feel isolated and lonely even in a crowd.
May they feel and trust the peace of advent at this time.
This week we pray:
Do not be afraid for God is with you always,
Do not be afraid for God hears your prayers,
Do not be afraid for nothing is impossible for God.
By faith and hope let us trust in God.
With trust let us live by faith and hope.
Above all let us live in the love of God.
Amen.
WEEK 2: Mary – Voice of Wonder
Luke 1:26-38
READ the passage slowly.
REPEAT the passage a few times until you are familiar with it.
REVEAL which sentence strikes you. What questions come to your mind?
REFLECT on how you are challenged?
REFLECTION
The Law was very clear on the punishment for adultery. The woman involved would be taken and stoned to death. A severe punishment for the dishonouring of marriage and family, a practice still happening to women today. Mary was betrothed to Joseph so was considered as good as married. If Joseph denounced her, she would be accused of adultery.
We read in Matthew’s gospel that Joseph had a dream in which an angel told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his bride for the child would be great, but this was in the future. She did not know this. Even if Joseph did not denounce her, she faced the accusation of betrayal from him. Their relationship would be changed, mistrust, anger, withdrawal would be the result. Could she trust in Joseph’s acceptance and belief in her? These were profound and potentially deadly outcomes to consider.
Mary’s response was as equally profound and life altering. She said “Yes.” Not only did she give assent to what was to happen, but she affirmed her trust in God. Her trust ran deep. “I accept whatever is your will” she is saying to God. She was prepared for whatever lay ahead knowing that God would give her the necessary courage to face the outcome of her decision. Her belief that all things were possible through God is also affirmed in that one sentence, “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”
Mary did not have years of experience to fall back on when she made her decision to say yes. Years in which she had learnt to become cynical and disbelieve in God’s saving power. Her childlike trust enabled her to trust in God completely and say yes. Sadly, children soon learn not to trust the world around them. They can lose trust in those who proport to love them, they can lose trust in the authorities who ignore their needs, they can lose trust in God who doesn’t seem to be listening to their cries for help.
The situations do not need to be necessarily traumatic for children to lose trust. Broken promises can lead to the shattering of someone’s view of the world and life. Innocence is lost. Can we rebuild that innocence? Can we rebuild the trust in people, organisations and even God?
I believe we can rebuild, but first it starts with trusting God. What does trust in God look like?
Hope in the face of despair; courage in the face of fear; love in the face of hate; peace in the face of chaos. Once that relationship of trust is rebuilt, we can move onto other areas of mistrust. Mary said yes to God in bringing about the birth of her Son, Jesus, who came to usher in God’s kingdom.
As we celebrate his coming into the world, Emmanuel, God with us, he lives on in us. We are the ones to help usher in God’s kingdom. We are the ones to speak out and to speak up. We are the ones to bring, hope, courage, love and peace to others, rebuilding their trust. Helping them believe they are worthy of love, of a life free from fear, a life where they are accepted and treated with dignity.
Let us have the courage to say “Yes.”
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
- What can you learn from Mary’s response?
- Why do you think Mary wasn’t punished for her question?
- Identify occasions when you have felt God asking you to do the impossible? How did you respond?
PRAYING WITH YOUR IMAGINATION
Find a comfortable position, with your feet firmly placed on the ground and your hands placed on your knees. Relax, breathe in and out slowly, being aware of your breath. Breathe in God’s peace and breathe out any tension or anxiety. Relax your body, releasing any residual tension.
In your imagination you are going to visit Mary at her home. You set off… Is it daylight or dark?…You find yourself outside her house…. What does it look like?…. what is the surrounding area like… is it busy or quiet?….. you knock and Mary opens the door to you…. How do you greet her?…. tell her why you are here……she invites you in and you sit down together….. what is in the room?… how is it furnished?
As you begin to talk there is a knock at the door…..Mary opens the door to a stranger who says to her “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you”…… watch Mary’s reaction……what emotion is she displaying?…… listen as he tells her not be afraid as she has found favour with God……observe her reaction as he tells her she is going to become pregnant and give birth to a son….hear her respond to this incredulous news …. “How can this be as I’m a virgin?……
As Gabriel explains that the Holy Spirit will overshadow her and the child will be called the Son of God, see her expression and demeanour change………..from disbelief, to awe and wonder and finally acceptance as she says, I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said.”
Listen to Gabriel as he turns to you and says “Do not be afraid, you have found favour with God…. What is God calling you to gestate and give birth to?….. unsure if you are equipped?….does it feel impossible?…..tell God your concerns…
Hear Gabriel say to you, “nothing is impossible with God”…. what is your response?….. if you are able echo Mary’s response and say “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”
INTERCESSIONS
In this advent time of waiting and preparing for the miracle of Christs
birth we recognise our world is a place where pregnancy and childbirth
is still a risky business.
So we pray for all who work to improve the health of women across the world.
We pray for girls and women whose health is damaged or exploited
through ignorance, cultural norms or misogynistic practices.
We pray that girls and women will have access to education and
healthcare that allows them to reach their potential, hopes and dreams.
Amen.
WEEK 3: Shepherds – Voice of Declaration
Luke 2:8-20
READ the passage slowly.
REPEAT the passage a few times until you are familiar with it.
REVEAL which sentence strikes you. What questions come to your mind?
REFLECT on how you are challenged?
REFLECTION
To be constantly rejected, shown contempt, ignored, excluded, leaves the person, group, feeling worthless, helpless, hopeless, dejected, angry, despairing, and invisible. When you are told often enough you begin to believe the negative narrative. We see groups reclaiming their identity with pride. We have Black History Month, LGBT+ History Month and many more which highlights the issues faced by those who have been marginalised. Many see this as being ‘woke’, going over the top, ‘shoving’ it in our faces. This often comes from those who have never been marginalised and made to feel worthless.
God came to the marginalised first, declaring good news for all, not just the elite. By this, God reinforces the fact that he created us all equal, equally loved and valued. God is incarnate in all, even if they don’t acknowledge it. We do not just celebrate the coming of God in Jesus, but the fact that through his life, death and resurrection Jesus enabled us to be called children of God. We too have God within us. We too have good news to proclaim to all, the Good News that the kingdom of God is for all.
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
- When has God taken you by surprise?
- Have you ever felt marginalised? If so, how did this make you feel?
- Who are the marginalised in your community?
- In what way is the coming of Jesus, Good News to you?
- Who can you tell the Good News to?
- Have you thrown caution to the wind and rushed off to do something? What was the outcome? Was it for God or for you?
PRAYING WITH YOUR IMAGINATION
Find a comfortable position…….Relax your body….. breathe in and out slowly, being aware of your breath. Breathe in God’s peace and breathe out any tension or anxiety.
Close your eyes as we go on a journey to the hills outside Bethlehem…… it is night-time…. It is a clear evening…. Look at all the stars…. Drink in the awesome power of the one who made the stars…As you walk up the hill to the shepherds observe the terrain… what is the path like? …. Is it an easy path to navigate?……
You reach your destination and find the shepherds….. how many do you see?…..what are they doing?…… as you approach them there is mighty burst of light around them….observe their reaction as they fall to the ground terrified……. See the angel who has appeared…..listen as the angel tells them “Do not to be afraid, for I bring good news of joy for all people. A child has been born tonight. The Messiah. You will find him in a manger wrapped in cloths.”………..look at how the shepherds react to the news…… how do you react to the fact that Christ was born for you……..
Suddenly a whole host of angels appear praising God, saying “ Glory to God, on earth peace to men
on whom his favour rests”……. Listen to the shepherds as they discuss what they are going to do next…. As you make your way down the hill, what is the mood of the shepherds? ….. what are they saying about this news? Listen to their conversation….Tell them what it means to you…..
You all now arrive at the place where Mary, Joseph and the baby are……..what does it look like….picture the exterior… what are the surroundings like?… are there any other people around?
The shepherds make their presence known….. how are they greeted?….. what do they say to Mary and Joseph…… what is the interior like?…what are the sounds you hear… what can you smell?…they see the manger and go to look at the baby …. What are their expressions?…..now you look at the child…..what are your emotions as you gaze upon the one who has come for you….. share them with God….
The shepherds depart the scene…… listen to their chatter as they speak of the future….. what are you going to do?… how are you going to tell others of the wonder of this child? ….. make your pledge to God to share the good news….
INTERCESSIONS
Shepherds. Workers on the margins ..living with isolation
and rejection through social prejudice. A tough and lonely place in society.
Help us to recognise those hidden in plain sight in our community.
As we wait we pray this advent help us to bring hope through warm spaces
and seasonal foodbank gifts. Charities and agencies working together to
offer practical help, dignity and respect.
Help us to show God’s love in action and make the good news accessible to all.
Amen.
WEEK 4: Magi – Voice of Adoration
Matthew 2:1-12
READ the passage slowly.
REPEAT the passage a few times until you are familiar with it.
REVEAL which sentence strikes you. What questions come to your mind?
REFLECT on how you are challenged?
REFLECTION
In the birth narrative of Jesus, God has come to the old, through Zechariah, the young, through Mary, the marginalised, through the shepherds and now outsiders, through the Magi. Emmanuel, God with us was and continues to be for all.
The Magi, learned men of their day, had open and enquiring minds. Having seen the star, which was a portent of the birth of a king, they set off on a perilous journey. No quick flights or airconditioned coaches with satnav for them. They went, not knowing where the star would lead them or how long the journey would take. We do not know if they ever felt like giving up on this long journey, questioning themselves as to the wisdom of their action. Although the journey was uncertain, they were certain that something momentous was about to happen and wanted to be part of it. They persevered and reached their goal, kneeling before the Christ child in adoration. They brought gifts full of symbolism; gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of deity, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death.
We see in this story how outsiders recognised who Jesus was and what he was to become. Throughout the gospels we see time and again how the marginalised, the blind, the outcast and the foreigners recognised Jesus as the Son of David, the Messiah where the religious authorities did not.
As individuals and as a Church we are called to stand with all those who are marginalised, outcasts, refugees and those who are shunned by society. We are to actively seek out the least, the lost, and the lonely. That may take us out of our comfort zones. Our biases and incorrect assumptions need to be challenged and our behaviour modified if we are to truly worship the One who came for All.
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
- What gifts do you bring to Jesus?
- In what ways do you show your adoration of God?
- When have you been called to step out of your comfort zone to follow Jesus? Did you answer the call? If so, how did you feel?
- How open minded are you?
PRAY WITH YOUR IMAGINATION
Find a comfortable position, with your feet firmly placed on the ground and your hands placed on your knees. Relax, breathe in and out slowly, being aware of your breathe. Breath in God’s peace and breath out any tension or anxiety. Relax your body, releasing the tension in your body.
Close your eyes. Imagine you have arrived at the place where the star rests above. It is night time , is it well-lit or in darkness? Listen to the sounds around you…. Notice the temperature…. What does the dwelling look like?…
You hear people arriving on camels. Listen to the noise they make… Watch the visitors dismount… what are they wearing… can you see what they are carrying? As they make their presence known to the occupants, how do they explain why they have come to see them? How do Mary and Joseph react…..
You enter into the dwelling behind the visitors. What does it look like, smell like?….. What are the sounds within….
Observe the scene as each of the Magi kneel and offer their gifts to the infant Jesus…. How does he respond? Look at the expressions on all their faces…….
Watch them make their departure… You are now left alone with Mary, Joseph and the Christ child. Explain why you are there….. How do they react to your explanation? Imagine Jesus sitting on Mary’s knee…Bring your gift to Jesus and give it to him…. How does he react? What do Mary and Joseph say to you?…….
Mary now hands the infant to you, for him to sit on your knee. How does this make you feel?
Talk to him and play with him………. As Jesus holds his arms out to his father you hand him to Joseph. See the interplay of Jesus with his parents…. Sit for a while speaking of your hopes and dreams for your relationship with Jesus. Tell them how you are going to maintain it…….Listen to Mary and Joseph as they ask you to take care of their infant and be with him as he grows up.
Watch as they put the infant down to sleep and be aware of the love surrounding you all. Make your farewell and leave.
How has this experience affected you? Offer a prayer to God explaining your feelings and any response you want to make.
INTERCESSIONS
Wise men travelling in a camel train is an iconic image on Christmas cards
that does not do justice to such a logistical challenge it must have been.
So we pray for all those involved in study, logistics and research that helps us
understand our world and our responsibilities towards it.
Help us to recognise the skills, gifts and talents we have been given and
how we can use them for others and within our community during this advent period.
Amen.
