5th December

“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” -Luke 1:32-33

Another one for reflection today. Last Thursday we had a Key Stage 2 eucharist at St. Michael's where the junior school joined us. Whilst we were at the alter our fabulous organist played "Gabriel's Message", which always has a profound effect on me.

https://youtu.be/dQ5wmFi9sfA

(But I never sing most highly flavoured gravy...no...never.......)

3rd December

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God.” -Luke 1:29-30

Greatly troubled- well you would be, wouldn't you?! And can you imagine the pressure of being told you've found favour with God? The pressure to feel you have to better than you think you can be, to live up to expectations, yet God knew exactly what he was doing. He doesn't choose the "best", holiest, most prayerful or least sinful. He uses us as we are, where we are, often without us even realising. There's very rarely angels or fanfare.