It is Christmas Eve, and in 2023 it is also Advent 4. That is more reason than we need to reflect on Mary - who agreed to carry the child who would be the fulfilment of the Scriptures she loved so well. As she carried and gave birth to the incarnate child of God, she also gave flesh to our understanding of God as our Mother, who carries and births us all.
The church is called to bring new life into the world. This is painful. This is frightening. This involves mourning over all that is passing away so that new life can emerge. Giving birth is the hardest thing we will ever do.
So, let’s pray!
Birth of Peace
God and mother of us all,
Our life is from your womb,
And our first breath is from your Spirit.
As we remember the girl unready but prepared
For the journey, the stable, the manger;
As we celebrate again the birth of her child,
Bring new life again to birth, we pray,
In this world torn apart by conflict,
In the church, where your children squabble
Over diminishing resources instead of feeding the hungry,
And in our lives where all that is dying must give way
So that vulnerable, needy new life may be born.
Spirit of God, you fill and form us
As the Body of Christ through which the world
Must be carried and nourished;
Give us strength and courage
To bear the weight of a grieving world,
And the bread, water and wine
With which to feed hungry bodies, hungry hearts,
And hungry communities. Amen.
With Love from Rev Dr Margaret Wesley
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This is beautiful. There is much to discuss in this...