Lectionary for Christmas 1.
To all who received him, who believed in his name, Christ gave power to become children of God. John 1:12
Reading. Jeremiah 31:7-14 This reading from Jeremiah begins with a plea, “O Lord, save your people..”. It is not a cry of desperation but expressed with a sense of praise recognising the faithfulness of the Lord. As we stand at the beginning of another year we are wondering if this year will be different from the last: we face many ongoing situations; but we have some glimmers of light which perhaps lead us to hope that 2021 will indeed be a better year. Nonetheless, it is only natural that we should look to God for a sure way forward and guidance out of our present predicament. Jeremiah’s people were also looking for a way forward. The prophet’s announcement would have given them hope for it reminded the nation that the Lord had promised to deliver them, and gather them back into the Promised Land; back to a place of security and safety. Perhaps that is our present plea, we want to be safe and secure again. Jeremiah though, did not just bring a word of rescue, he also reminded the people that they also needed to find again that relationship with the Lord. “Walking by the river”, and “in a straight way”, are a reminder of an obedient walk with God. They not only need to be rescued, they need to re-establish that relationship of child to Parent. It is this relationship which is key to the fulfilment of being gathered in safely.
Jeremiah reminds God’s People that the promise to gather them in to a place of safety still holds true. To bring them home to that place where you can be yourself; the place where your whole being can be relaxed and fully at peace. Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, “He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock.” Jeremiah 31:10-11. With the promise comes the reminder that being away from the Lord has caused a significant separation. The result of such a separation is loneliness, isolation and a lack of self worth. This sense of isolation is too strong to overcome by will and determination, it needs outside help. Psalm 121 reminds us that “My help comes from the Lord”: Here is the true source of help to start the people on the journey back to healing and wholeness. The nation had to face the reality that what they really needed was an obedient relationship with the Lord God.
From thousands of years ago the voice of Jeremiah continues to remind us today that the Lord is all we need: Walking with the Lord, keeps our eyes on the true and fulfilling things of life: It keeps us grounded in a world of changing values; and it helps to build strong relationships with the Lord and with those around us. If we want 2021 to be a better year for us then a good place to start would be to listen carefully to the words of Jeremiah.
Prayer. Almighty God we thank you that you are a God who calls us to be together and helps to unite us in love even while we are separated by illness or distance. We thank you that in Jesus we are one body and through him we hear again good tidings of great joy. Our Lord came to bring light to those who sat in darkness and hope to those who were distressed. Though we may be separated from family and friends by distance, yet through his love love we can know that we are still united. Grant that your light may shine on our lives and on our situations, may they be havens of peace, where we can grow in our trust of you. Give to us the courage to face each new day, knowing that you are always with us; help us to draw strength for your promise that every morning your love dawns afresh. Keep us mindful of all those that we love until that day when we will all be able to again unite without restraint. This we ask, through Jesus, who lives, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in perfect harmony. Amen
Reading. Psalm 147:12-20. The psalmist reminds the people that they are in an excellent position; not because of the good things around them but because they have a God who is both all powerful and at the same time all loving. As the psalmist says, “God has not dealt with any other nation as he has dealt with us!” God is the powerful Saviour and through God they have become the People of God. They were the People of God and as such they were given The Law. They are not the People of God because they keep the Law; they are the People of God because of God’s choice.
The psalm was a reminder that it was God who gave the people security and peace: It was God who provided them with a family and all that they would need to care for them. Still, the most telling aspect from the psalmist’s perspective is that God had revealed himself through the law. We can often have a negative view of the law but for the people of Israel it was the law which revealed who God was and how God wanted them to live as God’s People. Though the nation faced many hard times, it was the law which re-united them and upheld them. It was the law which drew them back to a more resolute faith in God and from the law they regained their confidence. As we read this psalm today we too can draw confidence from knowing that the God in whom we trust is an all powerful protector, we do not have the law but we have a Saviour in whom and through whom the law has been fulfilled. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. Matthew 5:17 (NRSV) We have been given Jesus who has given us all that we need to withstand adversity and step confidently into a new and unknown year.
Prayer. Most Gracious God we bow in prayer, readily confessing that we have taken for granted your many blessings, we have chafed under the constraints of your discipline and we have been unmindful of your commandments. We have followed paths of our own devising and then looked to you for recue when we have fallen. As we think of your great goodness towards us we know that you have not treated us as we deserved but have been lovingly patient with us and with acts of grace again and again have called us back to yourself. Forgive us and cleanse us from all that is contrary to your will and way and as we look to a New Year beginning, help us more and more to rely on you alone for guidance. In this new beginning grant that we may grow in love and trust of you; may we recognise all that Jesus Christ has achieved for us and be constant in praise and prayer. This we ask in His Name. Amen
Collect. Almighty God, you have filled us with the new light of the Word who became flesh and lived among us. Let the light of faith shine in all that we do; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
ericjkirkham.com 