[Friday's Devotional] - 5. The Finding in the Temple

5.  The Finding in the Temple When his parents saw him, they were astonished.  His mother said to him, 'Son, why have you treated us like this?  Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.' 'Why were you searching for me?' he asked. 'Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?' Luke 2:48-49 [NIV] (Further reading: Luke 2:41-52.)   The final joyful mystery points us to the adult Jesus – he speaks his first words in Luke's gospel and he is far from a helpless baby now.  This story is partly about letting go, as Mary and Joseph must accept their child is growing up to fulfil his calling.  It is also a story of following – we are invited to follow Jesus on this journey.   Pray:   God our Father, your Son has promised us that if we seek you, we shall find you. Guide our footsteps on the journey, and bring us in time to our abiding home in your presence; through the same, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   Emma Higgins    Twitter Website Copyright © 2016 St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email as a subscriber to the Daily Devotionals Our mailing address is: St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church 1a New Street Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 7BE United Kingdom Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list Want to be added to our mailing list? - sign up here!

[Thursday's Devotional] - 4. The Presentation in the Temple

4.  The Presentation in the Temple Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 'Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,          you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles,          and the glory of your people Israel.' Luke 2:27-32 [NIV] (Further reading: Luke 2:22-40)   When Simeon sees Jesus he praises God, it is his natural reaction to an encounter with Jesus, even when he is a young child.  How do you respond to Jesus?  In Simeon's words he talks about a light which is not only for the Jews but for the Gentiles (non-Jews) too.  Who can you share the light of Jesus with this Christmas?   Pray:   God our Father, your love is for all your people, made in your image: bless me with eyes to see as you see, so that I may be what you call me to be, and do all that I do, in silence or in speech, with kindness and patience; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   Emma Higgins    Twitter Website Copyright © 2016 St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email as a subscriber to the Daily Devotionals Our mailing address is: St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church 1a New Street Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 7BE United Kingdom Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list Want to be added to our mailing list? - sign up here!

[Wednesday's Devotional] - 3. The Nativity

3. The Nativity While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:6-7 [NIV] (Further reading: Luke 2:1-21.)   You're probably reading this devotional in the midst of the practical details of Christmas – have you ordered the turkey and will there be enough sprouts?  What about the last-minute gifts and the parties? There is a surprising amount of detail in Luke's account of the Nativity – why not re-read this familiar story and ask yourself what detail stands out for you this year?   Pray:   God our Father, your Son's birth is a human icon of your divine love for me, and for all your children: guide me in my daily living to behold the truth of the incarnation, and so turn my spiritual poverty into the full riches of the Gospel promise, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   Emma Higgins    Twitter Website Copyright © 2016 St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email as a subscriber to the Daily Devotionals Our mailing address is: St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church 1a New Street Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 7BE United Kingdom Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list Want to be added to our mailing list? - sign up here!

[Tuesday's Devotional] - 2. The Visitation

2. The Visitation At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:39-40 [NIV] (Further reading: Luke 1:39-56.)   This story points to relationship – it's about how people relate to God; and how people relate to each other.  It illustrates the deep human need to connect.  Who do you need to connect with this Advent?   Pray:   God our Father, you fill me with your Spirit, and inspire me with your love: Give me the courage to let go of self, and so become more open to your infinite possibilities, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   Emma Higgins   Twitter Website Copyright © 2016 St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email as a subscriber to the Daily Devotionals Our mailing address is: St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church 1a New Street Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 7BE United Kingdom Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list Want to be added to our mailing list? - sign up here!

[Monday's Devotional] - 1. The Annunciation

1. The Annunciation The devotionals this week are taken from the book for this year's Advent Book Group – "Joyful Christianity: Finding Jesus in the World" by Cally Hammond.  Each chapter of the book focuses on one of the Joyful Mysteries prayers.   'I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered. 'May your word to me be fulfilled.' Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38 [NIV] (Further reading: Luke 1:26-38.)   The joyful mysteries begin with someone just like us.  For all the extraordinariness of Jesus' conception and birth, it is also extraordinarily ordinary – he is born in the same way that any of us has been.  One of the remarkable moments is Mary's "yes" to God – what is God asking you to say "yes" to?   Pray:   God our Father, Mary the mother of Jesus found the courage to say 'yes' to you. Because I did not choose you, but you chose me, help me to find the way through all the doubts and challenges I face, so that I can bear fruit of your maturing, and find the peace which only you can give, in saying 'yes' to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   Emma Higgins   Twitter Website Copyright © 2016 St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email as a subscriber to the Daily Devotionals Our mailing address is: St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church 1a New Street Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 7BE United Kingdom Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list Want to be added to our mailing list? - sign up here!