Memorize & Ponder for Sunday Dec 21, 2014
Found By Love
Luke 1:32-33 (NRSV)
“He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.
He will reign over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
Throughout 2014, the Christian community at Brentwood Presbyterian Church is getting to know Jesus, the Christ, in a refreshing and transformative way. We invite you to listen for what the Spirit is saying in the text, then question how those insights might change the ways you see things and act in the world. Share your thoughts during the week on the meaning the Spirit creates for you in this text by posting a comment on our website – brentwoodpc.ca.
A Provocative Pondering
Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us provoke one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together … (Hebrews 10:23-25a)
A fearful maiden, visited by an angel, with news of a miraculous pregnancy created by the Holy Spirit. That’s a central part of Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth.
The angel’s message calms and reassures the frighten girl. Your son will be ‘God with us.’ He will reign over the world, the promised Christ from the God who created, redeems, and sustains the whole of creation.
But what kind of king will this child become?
That’s the key question. Our answers will shape our faith and flourishing. As with many things we have discovered this past year about Jesus, he will be different.
His power is that of love – not might, not force, not manipulation, not secrecy, not torture, not covert ops – but love that is patient, kind, generous, humble, and gracious.
That one ‘little’ four-letter difference changes everything about the way we see, act, and be in the world. If we are to flourish as citizens of his kingdom of love, what needs to change in our lives? What promises will we make to God as we celebrate this Christmas and move into 2015 found by the hope, peace, joy, and love that came to us at Christmas?