An Advent Prayer

Circle us, Lord
Circle us with the light of your presence, bright within this dark word
Enable us to be overcomers of fear and temptation
Enable us to be victors over sin and despair
Enable us to become that which you would desire
(Silent prayer)
Lord of creation, Lord of Salvation
Circle us with the light of your presence

Circle us, Lord
Circle our family within the shelter of your outstretched arms
Protect them in each moment of their daily lives
Protect them in the decisions that they face
Protect their homes and relationships
(Silent prayer)
Lord of creation, Lord of Salvation
Circle our families with the light of your presence

Circle us, Lord
Circle this nation with Advent love and hope
Create a desire to listen to the Advent message
Create a willingness to understand and respond
Create a need to reach out to the Christ Child
(Silent prayer)
Lord of creation, Lord of Salvation
Circle our nation with the light of your presence

Circle us, Lord
Circle this world with the joy of your Salvation
Where there is sickness and disease bring healing
Where there is hunger and despair bring hope
Where there is torture and oppression bring release
(Silent prayer)
Lord of creation, Lord of Salvation
Circle this world with the light of your presence

Starting to get some Advent thoughts going!

For some reason, our church is out of step with the lectionary, and this week we're looking at Mary and the visitation. I think the theme is going to be about obedience, and I just like the idea that throughout the Bible, both Old and New Testaments we find not the greatest intellects in the world but  pretty much a ragbag of individuals, shepherds, fishermen, and of course a young country girl who get asked by God to do something rather scary and awe-inspiring. And they don't all suddenly drop everything, one or two actually start arguing with God!

'You can't mean me!' 'I'm no public orator, what am I going to say?!'How can this be?!'

But God's too persuasive to let a little indecision get in the way of his purposes. He knows that in one sense he's asking the impossible (in human terms) but then that's his prerogative, because he is God! There is always a reason why God calls individuals - and in my limited experience it's often because they are the right person in the right place at the right time, so next time you start thinking 'Why has God put me in this situation/place?' consider that you might just be the right person, whatever you might think of your own capabilities.

I also came across something interesting for a children's talk, and it's about the significance of names (seeing as how we'll be looking at the instruction to name Mary's child Jesus. This is not really original, but it's sort of adapted because of my sense of humour!

One of the most exciting times in any couple's life is when they find out that they are going to have a baby. There are many things that must be done to prepare for the birth of a new baby, but none is more important than choosing a name for the baby. A baby's name is chosen very carefully because the baby will live with that name for the rest of his or her life.

Some embarrassing names have been uncovered by researchers from parenting group TheBabyWebsite.com, There are people trying to lead normal lives despite being named Stan Still, Mary Christmas, Paige Turner, Chris Cross and Barry Cade. It might also be worth thanking your lucky stars you're not called Sonny Day, Rose Bush, Pearl Button or Hazel Nutt. What about Max Power and a man called Doug Hole. Teresa Green, Terry Bull, Helen Back, Lee King, Jo King and Ray Gunn also cropped up on the of 'The Most Unfortunate Names in Britain'.

Wider afield America as you'd expect is a haven of weird and wonderful names including Anna Prentice, Annette Curtain, Bill Board and Carrie Oakey

When Mary and Joseph found out that they were going to have a baby, they didn't go to the bookstore and get a book to help them choose a name for Mary's baby. In fact, they didn't choose the baby's name at all! God chose it for them! God sent an angel to tell Mary what to name her baby. The angel said to Mary, "You will have a son, and you will call his name Jesus" You see, the name Jesus means "the Lord saves." Was it important for Mary's baby to be named Jesus? Yes it was, because the Bible tells us that there is no other name that can save us from our sin. (Acts 4:12)

Dear Father, thank you for sending your Son. During this season when we celebrate his birth, help us to remember that there is salvation in the name of Jesus. Amen.