Advent 4 initial thoughts

This coming Sunday I have two more Carol services & just one 'preaching service'.

The theme for this week is Mary: ‘God decides how he will be ‘housed’ in this world’
Object in the 'bag' will be a baby photo

The readings are
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Luke 1:26-38

I heard a great sermon on the significance of the manger from Susan Durber at Westminster College, & I think I want to contrast to care with which preparations are made for any baby being brought into the world - and especially the birth of Jesus - and the whole 'laid him in a manger' bit. Luke has the angels tell the shepherds this is a 'sign'. A sign of what? presumably the identity of this special baby: Jesus, the one who will feed the world, who will be the bread of life for all.

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