Tuesday: 16th December, 2019 Reference text: Matthew 1:1-17 Matthew 1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. Human actions may have changed over time, but the internal... Continue Reading →

Monday: 16th December, 2019 Reference text: Matthew 21:23-27 Matthew 21:25, 26 Where did John's authority to baptize come from? From heaven or from humans?" They began discussing this among themselves: "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask us, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' But if we say, 'From humans,' we are afraid of... Continue Reading →

Sunday: 15th December, 2019 The third Sunday of Advent is referred to as 'Gaudete' or 'rejoicing' Sunday. On this day therefore, the concept of a half- filled or half- empty glass comes to mind. A similar story is told of two buckets at a well: one was always happy and the other, gloomy and sad.... Continue Reading →

Saturday: 14th December, 2019 Psalm 80:3 Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved. Today's Psalm cast my mind back to the way in which God suggested that the children of Israel be blessed in Numbers 6:25: 'The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious... Continue Reading →

Friday: 13th December, 2019 Reference text: Isaiah 48:17-19 Isaiah 48:18 If only you had paid attention to my commands. Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea. 'Would have been' and 'could have been' often hint at missed opportunities: if things had been a certain... Continue Reading →

Thursday: 12th December, 2019 Reference: Isaiah 41:13-20 Isaiah 41:19 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together: In what appears to be a text better understood with a... Continue Reading →

Wednesday, 11th December, 2019 REFERENCE: Matthew 11:28-30 Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. After the hustle and fatigue of any day, we gravitate towards places of rest: our homes or a place to sit just to recoup our strength before doing anything... Continue Reading →

Tuesday: 10th December, 2019 Reference text: 2 Chronicles 20:1-22 2 Chronicles 20:17 You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD. He is with you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Tomorrow, go out to face them, for the LORD is with... Continue Reading →

Monday: 9th December, 2019 Luke 1:36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. We recount the visitation of the angel to Gabriel to Mary. When the angel relayed to Mary news about the conception of... Continue Reading →