The Reflectionary

One daughter just back from uni, a second coming home later today and the youngest finishes term tomorrow. I’m going to take some time off to play board games with my squids and watch soppy films on the telly. See you in the new year, folks, and thanks so much for being part of this journey.

May you be blessed as you work in God’s kingdom and may your Christmas be filled as much with joy as with calories.

Liturgy resources below, and loads of other stuff in the search box and menus, as always. Plus an image from The James Webb Space Telescope.

blessings

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The glory of God’s Creation – this is not an “artist’s impression”. This is a real photo!

From Nasa’s website: This landscape of “mountains” and “valleys” speckled with glittering stars is actually the edge of a nearby, young, star-forming region called NGC 3324 in the Carina Nebula. Captured in infrared light by NASA’s new James Webb Space Telescope, this image reveals for the first time previously invisible areas of star birth.

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Liturgy Resources for The Nativity of our Lord (Christmas) 

I’m guessing you’re already sorted for this, but just in case not, here is a Christmas Eve Service I wrote for the United Reformed Church [Click here for PDF]

Liturgy Resources for the First Sunday after Christmas

Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18

Confession and Absolution

I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord,
according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

O Lord, you are gracious and compassionate;
have mercy upon us and forgive us.

O Lord, you are slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love;
have mercy upon us and forgive us.

O Lord, you are loving to tall you have made;
have mercy upon us and forgive us.

I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord,
according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

In your love and pity, O God, redeem us;
lift us up and carry us all our days.
Amen.

Blessing and Dismissal

May God, for whom and through whom all things exist,
bring you to glory and help you through testing,
that you might be sanctified through his life
and freed from the fear of death.

And may the blessing of God: Father, Son, Spirit,
be upon you and those whom you love,
this day and always.
Amen.

Go into the world and carry God’s light.
Amen.