Proclamation: the Prophets
The reflections for this second week of Advent, 6-12 December, are led by Revd Dr Tony Rich. They can all be found below this week’s picture
Sunday 6 December
This week’s reflections on the theme of proclamation and the prophets are introduced in the sermon on Sunday 6 December:
(you can find the full service by clicking here)
Monday 7 December
Reading
The LORD said to me: This gate shall remain shut; it shall not be opened, and no one shall enter by it; for the LORD, the God of Israel, has entered by it; therefore it shall remain shut.
Ezekiel 44: 2
Reflection
Prayer
Lord God, as you gave your prophets vision and insight to know your will for their time and for future generations, grant that by your Spirit we may discern your will and have the strength to obey you, to see your glory in the ordinariness of life and so make the ordinary glorious. In the name of Christ, Amen.
Tuesday 8 December
Reading
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 7: 14
Reflection
Prayer
Lord God, as you stepped into our world and made the natural and ordinary birth of a child glorious and extraordinary, help us by your Spirit to look closely enough at the world around us to see the glorious in the ordinary. In the name of Christ, Amen.
Wednesday 9 December
Reading
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined. … For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and for evermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7
Reflection
Prayer
Lord God, you have promised light in our darkness and sent us the light of life and hope, of peace and justice, in your Son. Lighten our lives and grant us the strength and courage to live in your light and to reflect your light to others walking in darkness. In the name of Christ, Amen.
Thursday 10 December
Reading
A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
Isaiah 11: 1-2
Reflection
Prayer
Lord God, through the coming of your Son you invite us to share in building your peaceful Kingdom. Grant us the wisdom and strength each day, through our words and deeds, to make the world around us a little more as you would have it. In the name of Christ, Amen.
Friday 11 December
Reading
But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labour has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace.
Micah 5: 2-5a
Reflection
Prayer
Lord God, you came to us in your Son, the Word made flesh, and shared our humanity. Grant that as in him your truth took physical form and expression in our world, so may we proclaim your truth through our lives, words and deeds. In the name of Christ, Amen.
Saturday 12 December
Reading
The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: The LORD is our righteousness.
Jeremiah 23: 5-6
Reflection
Prayer
Lord God, prophets and angels proclaimed your work among us, angels gazed upon your work and celebrated it with joy. Help us to see where you are at work, point the way to it, join you in it and celebrate it with the host of heaven. In the name of Christ, Amen.