Live your faith

Are you prepared?

This Christmas if someone asks you
'Are you ready for Christmas?'
STOP
Consider what this really means?
Are you ready for God to arrive?

The truth is that God is present in all of the moments and people you meet during lent.
As you step into the Advent season, see if you can take time to notice, Jesus in the line in front of you, Jesus in the car that 'stole' your park, Jesus in the people at the checkout and Jesus in your family around you.

By doing this you may be surprised how ready you are when Christmas day arrives.

As we wait for the arrival of Jesus consider that he arrived in a most unexpected way:
In a stable, by a virgin mother, in a poor family who became refugees.
At the birth of Jesus they were surrounded by outcasts (shepherds), foreigners and people of different religions (the wise men).
It was a way no one expected for the Messiah.

Where are the unexpected places in which Jesus is appearing today?
Who could we invite to this celebration around a manger, that we might usually overlook, ignore or exclude?
Those in prison, people of other racial backgrounds, other religions, those who are 'different', the poor and the homeless, those we have hurt, or been hurt by?
Do we think there is a place for everyone at the manger?
If so, how do you extend that invitation so that these people feel welcome?

Sit in silence for a few minutes thinking of those you would like to see around the manger. (Who would Jesus invite?)

Where are the unexpected places that the gospel is being lived out?
Is there anyone who you need to seek forgiveness from or offer forgiveness too?