Friday 20th December 11:35  

                                                                                                w/c Sunday Dec 22nd 2024

Dear Friends,

Only a few more sleeps to go until Christmas! I have had the delight of attending a number of school Christmas services and assemblies with some very excited children, and to revisit the story of that first Christmas through a child’s eyes.
No matter where we are this Christmas, or what our own situation, I do hope and pray that we may each find something of the wonder, excitement and hope that the birth of Christ – Emmanuel, God with us – offers each of us.
Wishing you all a very blessed, peaceful and hope-filled Christmas.
Rev Gina

Thought for the week Luke 1 v39-55

On this last Sunday of Advent, we come to something of a climax with the wonderful story about two women, cousins, greeting each other in reverence and joy. 
All the themes of Advent – the patriarchs, the prophets, John the Baptist and Mary, come together in this encounter.

The story of Elizabeth and Zechariah echoes the story of Abraham and Sarah, an older couple past childbearing who are surprised and blessed by God with a son.
For Abraham and Sarah this was Isaac, for Elizabeth and Zechariah it was John. So, the patriarchs enter the scene.

Mary’s prayer of praise, her Magnificat, is closely aligned with another mother, Hannah. Hannah had prayed for a son and gave birth to Samuel, and her prayer of thanksgiving and praise is clearly reflected in Mary’s own prayer.
Samuel became a great prophet and anointed David as king.
So here we have the prophets coming into the scene, and the links to the line of David.

By the fourth Sunday of Advent, some of us will have given up on the idea of keeping this special season, and already be at Christmas.
But perhaps for these last few days we can think of ourselves in the position of John the Baptist in this story.
We read that he jumped for joy to greet the news of God incarnate, even though Christ was not yet born.

Perhaps in these last few days of Advent, we can joyfully celebrate that Christmas is coming with anticipation, whilst wondering at the amazing story of God working through His people down the ages that leads us to the incarnation; and celebrating and giving thanks that God continues to work in and through His people in our world.

Notices and Diary

• St Petroc’s regular Wednesday Morning Prayer in church and “Thought for the Week” discussion by Zoom are taking a break over Christmas. They will not meet on Dec 25 or Jan 1, but restart at on Wed Jan 8th. New attendees always welcome, whether occasional or regular!

Fri 20^th Dec                   Morning Prayer at 9am by zoom and telephone

Sun 29^th Dec                 United Mission Community service at St Petroc’s at 10am

 Know you are in my heart and in my prayers.
Rev Gina