GOD'S GIFT OF . . . HIMSELF
... they shall name him Emmanuel, which means God is with us (Matthew: 1)
THINK
God's gift of Himself to us is so amazing that we will never fully understand it. This "God-with-us" has been present in our lives in very concrete ways over this season. He has made his home in our heart in the acts of kindness of others - friends , family, people we meet or hear about in the news.
DO
Spend ten minutes thinking about your experience of this year. where have you seen the love and kindness of others? Recognise it as a gift of God who loved us so much He came to live amongst us - to live within us.
PRAY
Loving GOD
Help us to recognise your desire to be close to us, a desire so great that you had to come to live among us and stay within each one of us. Help us to see your gift of your enduring presence with us in the beauty of our world and in the goodness of ourselves and of the people around us.
© Breige O'Hare for Diocesan Family Ministry
GOD'S GIFT OF . . . JOY
... "What should we do?" they asked him. John replied "Whoeer has two coats should share them with the
person who has none" (Luke 3:10)
Today's gospel challenges us to go to our possessions and to share them with others. Why? Perhaps it is so thatwe might be free of the notion that possessions alone can bring happiness. We find happiness, experience joy not by looking in shops but by looking for God who loves us and who loves others through us.
It's too easy to give old clothes to a charity shop. Find something in your home that is in very good condition and give it to charity. Make this a monthly event.
Help us to realise that we will not find lasting joy in possessions. Help us to use money wisely in all ways that will bring joy to others, in ways that will bring us closer to you.
GOD'S GIFT OF . . . LOVE
... May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all. ( 1 Thessalonians 3:12)
The love that St.Paul invites us to share in today's reding is a taste of the love that God shares with each one of us. God often does this by using our words and actions, our thoughts and prayers to be signs of this loving prsence in the world. In what ways do you experience the loving care of others?
What small practical task can you undertake to show someone in your life that they matter to you (and to God) ?
Help us to recognise and to share the gift of your love in small and large acts of kindness and care. May we be particularly sensitive to the downhearted and lonely at this time of year.
GOD'S GIFT OF . . . A FRESH START
... John went through the whole region ... proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (Luke 3)
We all make mistakes and it is important that we face up to them and apologise to those we have hurt, however unwittingly. John's message gives us hope: we are not limited y the mistakes we make. Everyday is an opportunity to turn our lives around with God's: to learn from our mistakes, put them behind us and to mak a fresh start.
Have you made any mistakes recently? What have you learnt from them? What can you do this week to put them right?
The mistakes we make, both inside and outside the home, can cause hurt to others. We ask that we become more aware of those mistakes, more open to learning from them so that we can avoid repeating them. Help us to see that when we ask you and others for forgiveness. Let us trust that you are always offering us a chance to start again.
