Picture the Bible Reflection for May 3, 2021
This week we’re looking at the Nativity – the birth of Jesus. You can read the story here:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202%3A1-20&version=NIV
The Christmas story. The time when the Saviour is born and the world is about to change.
In the story, there are moments of charity and kindness that are expressed. If the innkeeper hadn’t told them about the stable, would they have had shelter? The shepherds came to visit, leaving their livelihoods to come and see and then to share the news with those they met up with. The magi brought gifts to the king but also warned the family about the dangers that lay ahead. A humble family having a baby, a baby king, were blessed with charity and love. By letting them visit they also shared hope.
If you were the innkeeper at that time, and didn’t know what was to be, would you have acted in the same way or have done something different? Some say they might have asked someone in a room to give up their space (or even kick them out) to have a proper space for birthing a baby. Some say anything different would take away from the humility of the story. What are your thoughts?
Today’s video is a Taize song “Ubi caritas”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9zvDBPkgOk
Ubi caritas itself is understood to be an ancient hymn that dates back to the early days of the Christian Church. It translates to: Live in charity and steadfast love, live in charity; God will dwell in you.
Let us pray:
Creating God, we thank you that you come to the world in unexpected ways. Help us to be patient to see you along our journey of life, understanding that what we think should happen may not be exactly as things unfold. May we not look for a Saviour in our world today, knowing that Jesus is with us all our days in various ways. As we live lives of charity, help us to be the people others can rely on to meet their basic needs. May we learn about organizations around us who can take what we can give and make it into something bigger and better with the connections, skills and tools they have. May we work together to make the world a better place. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
This week we’re looking at the Nativity – the birth of Jesus. You can read the story here:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202%3A1-20&version=NIV
The Christmas story. The time when the Saviour is born and the world is about to change.
In the story, there are moments of charity and kindness that are expressed. If the innkeeper hadn’t told them about the stable, would they have had shelter? The shepherds came to visit, leaving their livelihoods to come and see and then to share the news with those they met up with. The magi brought gifts to the king but also warned the family about the dangers that lay ahead. A humble family having a baby, a baby king, were blessed with charity and love. By letting them visit they also shared hope.
If you were the innkeeper at that time, and didn’t know what was to be, would you have acted in the same way or have done something different? Some say they might have asked someone in a room to give up their space (or even kick them out) to have a proper space for birthing a baby. Some say anything different would take away from the humility of the story. What are your thoughts?
Today’s video is a Taize song “Ubi caritas”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9zvDBPkgOk
Ubi caritas itself is understood to be an ancient hymn that dates back to the early days of the Christian Church. It translates to: Live in charity and steadfast love, live in charity; God will dwell in you.
Let us pray:
Creating God, we thank you that you come to the world in unexpected ways. Help us to be patient to see you along our journey of life, understanding that what we think should happen may not be exactly as things unfold. May we not look for a Saviour in our world today, knowing that Jesus is with us all our days in various ways. As we live lives of charity, help us to be the people others can rely on to meet their basic needs. May we learn about organizations around us who can take what we can give and make it into something bigger and better with the connections, skills and tools they have. May we work together to make the world a better place. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
RSS Feed