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19 December 2016
READING: LUKE 2:1-20
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
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. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.’
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
REFLECTION
Hello, my name is Mick and welcome to this final week of Foundation Podcasts for 2016.
This week's Foundation at Christmas has the same format as last week; you will hear me today and on Friday, then three amazing young leaders on our team, Nikky, Alannah and Anni, sharing their reflections on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It's nearly Christmas so our Bible passage is Luke's account of the birth of Jesus in Luke 2:1-20. I will read the passage in full this morning to set the context for this week but do take time to read it again (and again) this week and let God speak to you through his word.
Imagine these timeless words as a short play with four acts ...
Act 1 - The Call. vv1-5
Mary and Joseph were called by God to leave one thing and go to another. There are times in our lives when we also will experience God's call to move from one thing and engage in another. Our primary call is always to follow Jesus - if you are listening to this Podcast then you will have probably answered that call. However, there may be another call on your life that is before you now or you sense may be in the future. Remember Mary and Joseph: they answered the call by simply putting one foot in front of the other. When the Lord leads you will always be kept on the right path in life
Act 2 - The Gift. vv6-7
The baby is born ... the gift is given. Ponder for a few moments on these two verses as you read them again; two of the most significant verses in the Bible. Thank God for Jesus, the gift of God to us - receive him into your life afresh right now.
Act 3 - The Invitation. vv8-15
The gift is given and then the invitation is offered to the last people you would ever imagine - the shepherds, the scallywags of their day! Not the rich or the religious but those on the edge. God is making a point here, everyone is welcome to receive this gift.
Act 4 - The Challenge. vv16-20
Again God is making an important point - receive the gift, but then give it away! The shepherds 'spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child'
This is a great way to end this Podcast. Who can I pray for this week that they would know and receive the gift of Jesus? Perhaps you could invite someone to church over Christmas? Who can I share my God story with? Write down your story - keep it brief - and be ready as the Lord gives you the opportunity to share it with someone.
PRAYER
Thank you Jesus for this amazing story of your birth. For the Call of Mary and Joseph, the Gift you are to me, the Invitation to those wonderful shepherds and the Challenge to tell others about you. Speak to us this week as we hear again the Christmas story through these Podcasts and bless our day. Amen.
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By STC SheffieldREADING: LUKE 2:1-20
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
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. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.’
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
REFLECTION
Hello, my name is Mick and welcome to this final week of Foundation Podcasts for 2016.
This week's Foundation at Christmas has the same format as last week; you will hear me today and on Friday, then three amazing young leaders on our team, Nikky, Alannah and Anni, sharing their reflections on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It's nearly Christmas so our Bible passage is Luke's account of the birth of Jesus in Luke 2:1-20. I will read the passage in full this morning to set the context for this week but do take time to read it again (and again) this week and let God speak to you through his word.
Imagine these timeless words as a short play with four acts ...
Act 1 - The Call. vv1-5
Mary and Joseph were called by God to leave one thing and go to another. There are times in our lives when we also will experience God's call to move from one thing and engage in another. Our primary call is always to follow Jesus - if you are listening to this Podcast then you will have probably answered that call. However, there may be another call on your life that is before you now or you sense may be in the future. Remember Mary and Joseph: they answered the call by simply putting one foot in front of the other. When the Lord leads you will always be kept on the right path in life
Act 2 - The Gift. vv6-7
The baby is born ... the gift is given. Ponder for a few moments on these two verses as you read them again; two of the most significant verses in the Bible. Thank God for Jesus, the gift of God to us - receive him into your life afresh right now.
Act 3 - The Invitation. vv8-15
The gift is given and then the invitation is offered to the last people you would ever imagine - the shepherds, the scallywags of their day! Not the rich or the religious but those on the edge. God is making a point here, everyone is welcome to receive this gift.
Act 4 - The Challenge. vv16-20
Again God is making an important point - receive the gift, but then give it away! The shepherds 'spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child'
This is a great way to end this Podcast. Who can I pray for this week that they would know and receive the gift of Jesus? Perhaps you could invite someone to church over Christmas? Who can I share my God story with? Write down your story - keep it brief - and be ready as the Lord gives you the opportunity to share it with someone.
PRAYER
Thank you Jesus for this amazing story of your birth. For the Call of Mary and Joseph, the Gift you are to me, the Invitation to those wonderful shepherds and the Challenge to tell others about you. Speak to us this week as we hear again the Christmas story through these Podcasts and bless our day. Amen.