Plenary, 24 Nov 2004

Meeting date: Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Official Report 415KB pdf

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Time for Reflection

The first item of business is time for reflection. Our time for reflection leader today is the Rev Elizabeth Clelland of Alloa North Parish Church and Clackmannanshire united prayer group.

Over the summer, my husband and I were blessed by the arrival of two beautiful baby boys into our family, as two of our daughters gave birth within eight weeks of each other. From the moment we knew that the babies were on the way, it was a wonderfully exciting time for us. We could hardly contain ourselves as we awaited their arrival in our midst. We had a real sense that life would never be the same again, and we were right because our lives have been transformed by these little ones. It is almost as if our family has been given a new lease of life and a new beginning.

On this coming Sunday, the Christian church enters the wonderous season of Advent. Each year at this time, I feel my spirits begin to soar. I think that it has something to do with the fact that Advent is such a time of expectation, hope and promise—it is a time of preparation and getting ready; a time to look forward to a new beginning; and a time to prepare our hearts once more to receive the Christ child into our midst.

One of my favourite readings in Advent comes from the prophet Isaiah, in some verses from chapter 9. They are words that proclaim the birth of a child who will be the Saviour of the world, a child whose birth, life, death and resurrection will transform the lives of those who despair; those who are broken in body, mind or spirit; those who are held captive; or those who walk in the valley of the shadow of death. That child is Jesus Christ, the Saviour who is Christ the Lord. Isaiah says these words to us:

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned … For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and for ever."

Let us take a moment of quiet to pray for the light of Christ to shine into the darkness of our lives.

God of grace,
As we are loved by you,
teach us to love;
As we are forgiven by you,
help us to forgive;
As we are trusted by you,
lead us to greater trust in you.
As we welcome the coming Christ,
help us to reflect the living Christ
And so become channels of hope to our broken world.
We ask this in Jesus' name.

Amen.

May this wonderful season of Advent be a time of blessing to you, as you await your Lord's coming into your lives.