“Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit” – Matthew 1:18.
This Advent we are going again on a journey to Bethlehem to see what happened there long ago. Matthew begins with the family tree. Jesus the Messiah is the Son of David, the son of Abraham. We’ve heard it before and want to rediscover it anew.
This is not a conventional story: a baby born to a young girl who is betrothed, not married, in a borrowed room in a city where Mary and Joseph have roots but were homeless strangers. Yet here God is with us. In Jesus salvation comes for the sake of the world; the world represented by Magi who followed a star from the East.
And we think that with a pandemic we live in strange times. Here and now, God is with us.
Born in the night, Mary’s Child,
A long way from your home;
Coming in need, Mary’s child,
Born in a borrowed room.
Clear shining light, Mary’s Child,
Your face lights up our way:
Light of the world, Mary’s Child,
Dawn on our darkened day.
Truth of our life, Mary’s Child,
You tell us God is good:
Prove it is true, Mary’s Child,
Go to our cross of wood.
Hope of the world, Mary’s child,
You’re coming soon not reign:
King of the earth, Mary’s Child,
Walk in our streets again.
Geoffrey Ainger 1925-2012
Today, notice someone or something surprising from God and have a wonderful Advent.
Bishop Nick
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