Advent 2020 Reflection – Day Fourteen
Day 14 – 3 John 12-14
12 Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.13 I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.
Reflection
These verses resonate with the situation we find ourselves in at the moment. We long to speak face to face without
social distancing and face coverings. The absence of physical contact in our lives has been a great challenge to us. A hand shake a hug a friendly hand on a shoulder. Whilst I am blessed to have Ros, it is still distressing not to be able to hug our children and grandchildren.
What is true in the pandemic is also true in normal times, it is the moments of face to face connection which have the most impact on people’s lives. We can recommend a book or a website but it is in telling and hearing our stories, in person, that the reality of our relationship with God shines through. It is in person that we fully empathise with people.
It also shines from today’s verses that John had much to say and so it should be with us. We have much to talk about, telling everyone who will listen of our faith and they joy we find in Jesus.
As we pass through this strangest of advents we look forward not only to Christmas but to the opportunities which will come our way, in due time, to make disciples.
Silence
We spend our time in silence today remembering those who have hugged us in moments of great happiness or have consoled us with a gentle arm around our shoulders in times of sadness.
Carol
The carol I have chosen today is I had a dream (love shone down) this is number 203 in Singing the Faith. This is my “find” of 2020. It is a beautiful powerful carol. It speaks of encounters with angels and I think we have all met angels whether we recognised them or not. We also are ourselves angels as we speak of God and Jesus and tell “how to find him, where exactly I should go” and when we do, love will shine down.
Prayer
Loving God we thank you that even in the darkest of moments you are with us and send us angels to reassure, comfort and rescue us. We long for the day that we will be able to speak face to face and pray that we will be able to use this time of distancing to build up our confidence in speaking of you.
As we approach the celebration of Christmas let us remember that your love came down. We remember the angels who announced the Good News and ask that you will also use us as messengers to your people.
May we be filled to overflowing with stories we need to tell and a deep desire to follow your command to make disciples. Let your love shine down, over the hills and into the valleys of my life. Reveal those who need us to be “angels” in our words and deeds. Amen
