Advent 2020 Reflection – Day Seven

Day Seven – Jeremiah 30 10-11a

“‘So do not be afraid, Jacob my servant;
do not be dismayed, Israel,’
declares the Lord.
‘I will surely save you out of a distant place,
your descendants from the land of their exile.
Jacob will again have peace and security,
and no one will make him afraid.
¹¹ I am with you and will save you,’
declares the Lord.

Reflection

Todays reading led me to thinking about what is it that we are afraid of. There are rational fears where we know there is a danger to our well being either physical or mental. We have, this year, all been living through a time of anxiety and worry with the Covid-19 pandemic. Even the development of the vaccine does not give us immediate release from those anxieties. It is perhaps also a time when we have discovered our need of fellowship and community because those things have to some extent been stripped away from us. I suspect that many of us suffer from these rational fears and anxieties  even in normal times and so this passage speaks into those situations. we can be sure that God is with us in those moments.

Then there are the irrational fears we have. Some of you reading may feel some resonance with me when I say, that I am delighted to help anyone in anyway that I am able to. However, when it comes to asking for help, I am completely hopeless. I don’t want to bother anyone and to some extent think why would they want to put themseleves out to help me. It is irrational but that is how I am and I am sure many others feel the same. We can be drawn into phrases such as I am afraid I am going to have to ask for help. It is not a fear of being rejected it is rather a fear of being an irritation to others.

It is thus a wonder and a joy that God promises to be a part of my life.

No matter how unworthy we feel that we are, God has a place for each of us in his loving, merciful, embrace. We need not be afraid that we are not good enough, we need not be afraid that we will be rejected, we need not be afraid that God will be irritated if we ask him to come into our lives.

A few days before my Mum passed away. We had been singing some hymns to her, one of which was “What a friend we have in Jesus”. She said quietly to us “Jesus is the best friend you can have, he will never leave you.”

The prophet Jeremiah echoes those words as he speaks God’s words to his people – be not afraid or dismayed, I am with you.

It is the wonder of Christmas. Jesus, our best friend, comes into our world and into our lives.

Silence

We spend a time in silence as we celebrate those firends who help us despite our reluctance to ask for help. Those who through their words and actions have taken away our fears.

Carol

I have chosen as the carol today – Good news, good news to you we bring.

It is in the wonderous fact that God has come to Earth. Jesus, the new born baby, the Saviour. As he comes, we see the conclusion of the promise the Prophet Jeremiah announces in todays passage – that God is with us and will save us. This is not only Good News it is the best news of all!

Tender mercy he has shown us joy to all the world!

Good news good news – Singing the Faith: 201

I have been asked if I could include the words to the carols where possible and I will do so where copyright allows. Where this is not possible I will include the Singing the Faith number to allow you to follow the words in the hymn book if you have a copy.

Prayer

Loving God we thank you for the tender mercy you show to each of us.

As we pass through times of discouragement and fear we have your reassurance that you are with us and we need not be afraid.

In this moment, we come to you with our whole heart, opening ourselves to the wonders of your promise. We come with our complete mind, body, soul and spirit. We look for your guidance, wisdom and strength to resist the things which tempt us to be afraid. Speak Lord, speak into those times of worry and anxiety. Help us to patiently hear your words, give us willing hearts to trust your eternal promise that you are with us and will save us.

Amen

Copyrights

All images today are from Pixabay.com free for commercial use no attribution.

Bible passage from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Good news, good news – Graham Kendrick
Copyright 1988 Make Way Music

Reflection and Prayers: Chris Hancock

Hatfield Road Methodist Church CCLI: 4955 Streaming: 989812