Today we welcome Jesus the baby, but he does not stay a baby for long!
Soon Jesus will be inviting us to leave all our Christmas presents behind to follow him on the narrow road of generosity, gentleness, justice and infinite mercy. A road that includes ridicule and death yet never will we be more alive. This radical-world-healing-way is a difficult road but strangely it is the very road we were designed for and the road we desire to travel more than any other.
To prepare for this baby that grows up quickly as well as to deepen your sense of belonging at CMM, I invite you to join me for two evening discussions:
7 p.m. on 23 January: Jesus’ Invitation
7 p.m. on 24 January: Jesus’ Dream
These evening discussions will also prepare us to renew our Covenant relationship with God on Sunday 27 January, remembering that “…Christ has many services to be done. Some are easy, others are difficult. Some bring honour, others bring reproach. Some are suitable to our natural inclinations and temporal interests, others are contrary to both… Yet the power to do all these things is given to us in Christ, who strengthens us.”
The most dangerous prayer we will ever pray … and the most fulfilling!
I am no longer my own, but yours.
Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed for you or laid aside for you,
exalted for you or brought low for you.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God, Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer,
you are mine, and I am yours.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen.
