Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Our services are at the usual tims of 9.15 am at St Agnes' and 11.00 am at St Thomas'. If you're not able to be with us in person you can find the Gospel, a reflection and prayers below.
Our first hymn to day is "My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord" - a lovely setting of the Magnificat
Today's Gospel
Matthew 1:18-25 The Birth of Jesus Christ
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
Reflection
Earlier this year, a small group of parishioners from Leesfield and St. John’s church were privileged to attend a series of bible study classes led by Rev. Lyn. One of the things we considered was the context of each Gospel, who they were written by and who the intended audience was. The Gospel of Luke, for example, was written by a Gentile for a Gentile audience and is more detailed in detailing facts and historical context. On the other hand, Matthew was a Jew addressing the Jewish people. As such, he makes many cross references to the Old Testaments and the prophets, and effectively ties the Old and New Testaments together for us. Given that background, it is not surprising, that in his account of the birth of Jesus, Matthew chooses to focus on establishing the genealogy of Joseph and Jesus as being solidly Jewish from the line of David as foretold by Isaiah.
Within the reading, something jumped out for me. When the Angel appears to Joseph in a dream, he says, “do not be afraid”. It struck me how many times we hear that reassuring phrase in the bible. The Angel Gabriel says the same thing to Mary and similarly to the shepherds watching their flocks. I have to admit, I had previously thought that this was just a comforting greeting given the shock of seeing an angel, (which are generally perceived to quite large compared to humans). I am fairly sure that if I saw something like an angel, I suspect my first reaction would be one of fear, even if it was in a dream.
But is the message of reassurance just to quell a reaction to the appearance of the angel or is it something more? In most instances, when an angel appears or God speaks, it is usually as a precursor to asking someone to take an enormous step in their lives. The Angel Gabriel is asking a teenage, unmarried virgin girl to bear the son of God. Wow, that’s something to be at least a little bit frighted about. With Joseph, who Matthew goes to pains to point out, is a righteous Jew, he is being asked to go against his instinct and the teaching of Jewish law and take Mary to be his wife. An action that will bring shame on the family and go against his personal and religious ethics.
Similarly, if we look at the Old Testament, we see the phrase “do not be afraid” many times when other great people from the bible are asked to take up outrageous challenges: Moses when he is asked to deal with Pharoah the King of Egypt, (and a self-appointed God), Abraham, when he is asked to leave his country and his family, or Joshua when he is told to face the combined armies of the Kings of the north at the waters of Merom.
All of these instances required not just a leap of faith but also a leap of action. I have no doubt, at some time we may all have to make challenging decisions as part of God’s plan for us, as we follow the commandments Jesus gave us, to Love God with our whole hearts and minds and souls and love our neighbours. When that time comes, it will be our opportunity to listen for a voice calling us to take action, and be guided by Immanuel, (Jesus with us), as he reassures us, “Do not be afraid”. Paul
Our Prayers
Divine Father, help us to listen carefully to your call, and to not be afraid to say Yes to what you ask us to do.
Thank you for your patience when we don’t always respond right away or put off doing what we ought to do.
Come Lord Jesus, strengthen me with the promise of your steadfast presence and saving love, set my heart and actions to fulfil your righteousness ways and purpose.
Amen.
Today's final hymn is "Thou Did'st Leave Thy Throne and Thy Kingly Crown"
Notices
This evening we have our traditional service of Nine Lessons and Carols. All are warmly invited to join us.
Then tomorrow evening we will be out Carol Singing around Lees. We meet at St Thomas' Church at 6 pm, and we'll be collecting for the Booth Centre as we go.
