This is how Jesus Christ was born. A young woman named Mary was engaged to Joseph from King David’s family. But before they were married, she learned that she was going to have a baby by God’s Holy Spirit. Joseph was a good man and did not want to embarrass Mary in front of everyone. So he decided to quietly call off the wedding. While Joseph was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, the baby that Mary will have is from the Holy Spirit. Go ahead and marry her. Then after her baby is born, name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. So the Lord’s promise came true, just as the prophet had said, “A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel which means “God is with us.” After Joseph woke up, he and Mary were soon married, just as the Lord’s angel had told him to do. But they did not sleep together before her baby was born. Then Joseph named him Jesus.
Matthew 1: 18-25

Reflect on the word IMMANUEL for a few moments.

Immanuel – God is with us.

As we re-tell the stories of Christ’s birth, as we listen or sing familiar carols and songs, as we gather round a festive meal or when we attend a worship service it is easy to feel that God is with us. Families and friends gather round BBQs in celebration. Children race around in excitement, shrieking and laughing in backyards and homes. “It’s Jesus’ birthday and we’re celebrating!”

Some sit alone in a rented room, in a shelter or on a street corner. Do they feel that God is with them?

Some make their way to Soup Kitchens, thankful that they are not forgotten on Christmas Day. Being politically correct in our secular society the word “Immanuel” and its meaning may not be talked of here.

“A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called “Immanuel, “which means “God is with us”.

The message of Christmas brings good news to all the world. I praise and thank you, Immanuel: God is with us!

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© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera

For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.

When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.

The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.

That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord’s glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened. But the angel said “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. This very day in King David’s hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay.” Suddenly many other angels came down from heaven and joined in praising God. They said: “Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God”.
Luke 2:8-14

Reflect on the word BIRTH for a few moments.

“You will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying in a bed of hay.”

How much more mundane and familiar could it have been? No elaborate nurseries with color-coordinated accessories, or video cameras or flash bulbs exploding to record the birth. No text messages, phone calls, Face book or Twitter announcements.

Just a baby, in baby clothes, lying on a soft bed of hay.

Just angels and shepherd sharing the news.

How would such news be received today in the bush and the outback? This is our time for floods and fires, thick smoke shutting out the sun, frightened animals racing to safety and floods sweeping away homes and cities. Extraordinary acts of heroism, compassion and caring take place. Rescue workers, unafraid, respond to calls for help. Police men and women walk the street to keep them safe. Doctors and nurses work tirelessly in hospitals.

AND Babies continue to be born.

God says: Don’t be afraid. The Christ Child is born!

God of the Outback and the City, let me not be afraid. Let me hear your words again: “Peace on earth to everyone.”

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© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera

For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.

When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.

The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.

When Jesus was born in the village of Bethlehem in Judea, Herod was king. During this time some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and said, “Where is the Child born to be king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him”. When King Herod heard about this, he was worried and so was everyone else in Jerusalem. Herod brought together the chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses and asked them, “Where will the Messiah be born?” They told him, “He will be born in Bethlehem, just as the prophet wrote, ‘Bethlehem in the land of Judea, You are very important among the towns of Judea. From your town will come a leader, who will be like a shepherd for my people Israel”.
Matthew 2: 1-6

Reflect on the word POWER for a few moments.

Power is both a personal and a political experience. It can be both positive and negative. It is the manner in which we chose to use power that makes it abusive or life-giving.

Abusive power is justified in many ways:

• An abuser will use violence to prove control.
• A co-worker will withhold information to protect personal power.
• A Board of Management or CEO will structure regulations to maintain authority as power.

Abusive use of power creates isolation. God’s use of power creates community.

A few people saw a star, heard God’s message and chose to respond with the power of wisdom. A powerful King heard God’s message, was threatened and chose to respond with the power of protectionism.

How do we choose to respond to the power God gives to each of us?

God of Wisdom and Power, give me the assurance I need to use your power for the good of others. Empower me with your power that I may empower others

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© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera

For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.

When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.

The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.

The prophet Anna was also there in the temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. In her youth she had been married for seven years, but her husband had died. And now she was eighty-four years old. Night and day she served God in the temple by praying and often going without eating. At that time Anna came in and praised God. She spoke about the child Jesus to everyone who hoped for Jerusalem to be set free.
Luke 2: 36 – 38

Reflect on the word AGEING for a few moments.

Anna was a prophetess, widowed at a young age. At 84 years she was a committed worker in the temple to which the young boy Jesus was brought by his parents. Anna, one of the very few women named in the Bible, prophesies that Jerusalem will be set free, because of the birth of Jesus.

Different cultures recognize ageing as a time of wisdom, respect and the time for passing on beliefs and history to the next generation. Today, consumerism uses ageing as a profitable market for selling anti-ageing products. Loss of youth is portrayed as a loss in image; changes in appearance are seen as a loss in identity; change in reproductive functions is portrayed as a loss of sexuality; change in economic status is portrayed as a loss of independence.

Ageing is a natural process of life. It celebrates remembrance, wisdom and maturity. Age did not determine Anna’s response to God or limit her obedience. Age enhanced her commitment and her faith. It gave her the wisdom to recognize the child Jesus and the freedom to declare her perceptions to all who would listen.

God of the young and the aged, teach me to respect and value each stage of my life’s journey.

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© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera

For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.

When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.

The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.

Announce to the nations, “The LORD is King!
The world stands firm, never to be shaken,
And he will judge its people with fairness.”
Tell the heavens and the earth to be glad and celebrate!
Command the ocean to roar with all of their creatures
And the fields to rejoice with all of its crops.
Then every tree in the forest
Will sing joyful songs to the LORD.
He is coming to judge all people on earth
With fairness and truth.
Psalm 96: 10-13

Reflect on the word ANTICIPATION for a few moments.

There always seems to be something special in the air the days before Christmas.
Children are too excited to go to bed. Parents are rushing to complete unfinished tasks.

People are frantic with last-minute shopping. The sounds and songs of Christmas fill the air on busy streets and secluded homes.

Anticipating Christmas day is anticipating celebration! What signs of anticipation color this time for you? What memories from the past surface as you anticipate the next few days?

• LISTEN to the song of the birds calling
• SENSE the winds blowing through bush and tall grasses
• FEEL the movement of the rivers and the seas as planet earth moves to the rhythms of creation.
• IMAGINE yourself waiting with anticipation when you read the words of the Psalmist.

The Psalmist celebrates God. It is not a private, personal celebration. It overflows and spills into all of Creation! A human celebration caught in the exuberance of Creation’s celebration! Our God is indeed here!

God of all our celebrations, let me also overflow with gladness and rejoicing that surrounded the birth of Jesus.

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© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera

For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.

When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.

The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.