2-minute Bible reading and meditation
Hello, and welcome!
Yesterday, 4th January, at church we sang lots of Christmas carols. If you find that strange you probably don't realise that we are still in Christmastide. And so yesterday was the 10th day of Christmas. Remember that Christmas song:
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Ten lords a-leaping
Nine ladies dancing
Eight maids a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
Five golden rings
Four calling birds
Three french hens
Two turtle doves and
A partridge in a pear tree
Twelfth Night is tomorrow. Before that though, in the daytime, we will celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany - when we remember the three wise men visiting the baby Jesus and bringing Him gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh.
But even as we pack our trimmings away tomorrow evening (if you haven't already done so) let's try to remember the Love that is encapsulated in the Feast of Christmas: when God became Man...
We are living in difficult times which is perhaps one of the reasons why church attendance this Christmas went up substantially as was predicted.
The Church of England estimate an increase of 20%
I can vouch for that: my church was packed to the gills over the Christmas period.
Wonderful!
If you were one of those 'visitors' who swelled the usual numbers I do encourage you to choose to make a habit of worshipping God at church. I can tell you that putting in that small amount of effort will help you cope with anything that life subsequently throws at you.
When people confide their troubles to me I tell them to stick as close as they can to Christ at all times and they will be okay.
It makes sense to start to forge a close relationship with God when you are enjoying your life; when things are going well. That will mean that when something testing crops up you will automatically turn to Him to help you through. And He will. From my heart assure you that He will be there for you; always. For as St Paul said, “I can do all things through Him Who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
Thing is: God loves you and He wants you to love Him.
If this is all new to you, or if you have become a bit cavalier about worship, try the following short meditation to think this over.
Meditation
1. Sit up straight. Breathe in deeply through the nose. Hold a few seconds. Breathe out through the mouth and as you do so feel the whole of your body relax.
2. Now consider this:
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8
3. Then, especially in the context of the season of Christmas, let's move on to the next verse:
“This is how God showed His love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.” 1 John 4:9
Ponder on those oh so powerful words for a few moments.
4. Now say this prayer – or one of your own – “Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much for Your love, please help me to grow in love for You as I attend worship services regularly in this new year 2026. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.”
5. When you are ready breathe in and out deeply as before. Then have a big stretch.
May the Spirit of Christmas Love reverberate through the whole of your 2026 and for always...
God bless,
Teresa x
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