In the previous week we reflected upon some of the important Scriptures in the Old Testament that contributed to the great hope that God would raise up a saviour and deliverer, a Messiah, who would rescue and restore the people of God. This week we we be exploring the opening chapters of Matthew’s Gospel that describe how this hope was fulfilled in Jesus.
But, before you begin today’s reflection maybe just pause , turn your attention to God and pray the prayer below:
Lord, may we, like the wise men from foreign lands,
observe the rising of your star in the darkness of this season.
We may not have gold, frankincense, or Myrrh,
But we offer you today our time, attention, and trust.
Amen
Daily Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17
Find the above scripture in your bible and read slowly – you might want to read it out loud. You can also find it here.
Questions to Ponder
- It seems a bit strange (and bit boring) to open a story with an account of Jesus’ ancestors (a genalogy). Why do you think Matthew might have chosen to do this?
- What do genealogies reveal about a person?
- Are there any characters in Matthew’s genalogy that you recognise? If so, what relevance do you think they might have to the story?
- If someone were to write a story about your life, what unique elements would your genealogy add to that narrative?
Advent Quote: Markers That Tell A Story
‘’This birth, Matthew is saying, is what Israel has been waiting for for two thousand years. The particular markers along the way also tell their story. Abraham is the founding father, to whom God made great promises. He would be given the land of Canaan, and the nations would be blessed through his family. David was the great King, to whom, again, God made promises of future lordship over the whole world. The Babylonian exile was the time when it seemed that all these promises were lost forever, drowned in the sea of Israel’s and God’s judgement. But the prophets of the exile promised that God would again restore Abraham’s people and David’s Royal line.
The long years that followed, during which some of the Jews had come back from Babylon but were still living under foreign, Pagan oppression, was seen by many as continuing ‘exile’, still waiting for God to deliver Israel from sin and the judgement it brought. now is the moment, Matthew is saying, for all this to happen. the child who comes at the end of this line is God’s anointed, the long- awaited Messiah, to fulfil all the layers and levels of the prophecies of old’.
| N.T. Wright
Advent Song
Closing Reflection
Across the universe
creation waits for the prophets to speak
their words of expectation
and their vision of renewal.
May we gather round them today
once more
and let their longing grip us
and lead us
into birth and blessing.
So come now my friends
this is the meeting place
of promise and prophecy
let us listen through the ancient words
that we might be ready to hear
a baby’s cry
(Roddy Hamilton)
As always, we would love to hear your thoughts and reflections and so please do leave a comment in the section at the bottom of this page. Much love to you all on this Advent journey!
Evening Zoom Reflection at 9pm
We will be meeting tonight on Zoom to reflect on this together. You would be most welcome to join us. We start at 9pm and finish at 9:20pm. Bring a Bible and a candle if you have them.
We are usually on a few moments before for a chat. Click here to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84743926286
Feel free to leave a comment below with any thoughts, prayers or things God might have been speaking to you about.