​Today we are anticipating the Feast of the Epiphany. Matthew’s Gospel completes the Christmas story with the narrative of the visitors from the East.  This is a rich narrative that contains many important images.  One of these images is the Christmas gifts.  According to the tradition the wise men brought three gifts to the infant Jesus.  Each of these gifts is associated traditionally with a special meaning.  The gift of gold speaks of Jesus’ kingship.  The gift of frankincense speaks of Jesus’ priesthood.  The gift of myrrh speaks of Jesus’ death. 


For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of Christmas gifts. In today’s picture from his book, Christmas time with Teddy Horsley, Teddy Horsley and Betsy Bear join with the people of God in bringing their gifts to celebrate Jesus’ birth. 


Lord Jesus Christ, 
You accepted the gifts brought by the wise men. 
Accept now the gifts we offer to you, 
and change us by your presence with us; 
for you are our God. 
Amen. 
   
Next Sunday we celebrate the Baptism of Christ, with the narrative from Luke’s Gospel. The image to stimulate reflection on Luke’s account of the baptism of Jesus is dove. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials.

On Christmas Day a core Gospel reading is the prologue to John’s Gospel, where John sets out the mystery of the incarnation: ‘the Word became flesh and lived among us’.  In this prologue the incarnate Word is described as ‘the light of all people’.  This light ‘shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it’.  Then later in his Gospel John develops the theme of Jesus as the Light of the World. 


For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of Christmas lights. In today’s picture from his book, Lights, Teddy Horsley dances to the colourful lights in the square.   






Lord Jesus Christ, 
you are the light of the world. 
Shine in our hearts 
and bring your light to our lives; 
now and always. 
Amen. 


We are continuing to explore the Christmas day theme on the First Sunday of Christmas. Then on the Second Sunday of Christmas we anticipate the Feast of the Epiphany, when Matthew completes the Christmas story with the narrative of the magi, visiting from the East. The image to prepare for the visit of the magi is Christmas gifts. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials.

​Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. On the last Sunday of Advent, the Church focuses attention on Mary who prepared for the first Christmas in a very special way.  According to Luke, Mary (the mother of Jesus) and Elizabeth (the mother of John the Baptist) were relatives and were pregnant at the same time.  In this Gospel passage, the two pregnant women meet and Elizabeth acknowledges the supremacy of Mary’s unborn child. 


For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of the baby. In today’s picture from his book, Christmas time with Teddy Horsley, Teddy Horsley and Betsy Bear see the baby Jesus placed in the cattle’s feeding trough, while the animals looked on.   


Lord Jesus Christ, 
you were born as a baby like us. 
Help us to see you 
in every human child; 
for you are one with us. 
Amen. 


Christmas Day follows on closely after the Fourth Sunday of Advent. A core Gospel reading for Christmas Day is the prologue to John’s Gospel that sets out the mystery of the incarnation. The image to help prepare for Christmas Day is Christmas lights. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials.  

Today is the Third Sunday of Advent. John the Baptist holds a prominent place in the season of Advent since he is seen as the forerunner who prepares the way for Jesus.  In Luke’s Gospel John’s message is very much concerned with the quality of life with which his hearers should prepare for the coming of the Messiah.  When the crowds asked John, ‘What then should we do?’ his reply was direct.  ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.’ 


For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of giving presents. In today’s picture from their book, The present, Teddy Horsley and Betsy Bear are wrapping their present.   




Lord Jesus Christ, 
John the Baptist prepared for your coming. 
Make in us generous hearts, 
so we are ready to welcome you 
on Christmas Day; 
for your name's sake. 
Amen. 


Next Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, turns attention to Mary who prepared for the first Christmas in a very special way. The image to help prepare for next Sunday’s theme is the baby. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials.  

Today is the Second Sunday of Advent. The Gospel reading is Luke’s account of how John the Baptist prepared for the ministry of Jesus.  For Luke, John is no longer portrayed as the returned Elijah, but as the last of the long line of prophets.  Now John’s message ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight’, leads directly to the proclamation ‘and all flesh shall see the salvation of God’.  There is here the note of confidence that the salvation brought by Jesus is for the whole world, not only for the Jewish nation. 


For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of Christmas decorations. In today’s picture from his book, Christmas Time, Teddy Horsley and Betsy Bear are standing by the Christmas decoration that they have made for their front door.   


Lord Jesus Christ, 
We celebrate your holy birth. 
Teach us to praise you 
through the Christmas decorations around us; 
for you are the joy of Christmas. 
Amen. 


Next Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent, keeps the focus on John the Baptist. The image to help prepare for next Sunday’s theme is Giving presents. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials.