Tell the heavens and the earth to be glad and celebrate!
Command the ocean to roar with all of its creatures
and the fields to rejoice with all of their 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: 11-13

Reflect on the word PRAISE for a few moments.

My pulses join in a dance of praise! My senses feel celebration! Excitement makes me smile!

The North wind dances through wattle and gum.
The dry red earth sends spirals of dust whirling
The Kangaroo and the dingo forage for food.
The sight of birds flying to nest for the night brings me peace.

There is a calmness in the air as parrots and cockatoos, billabongs and bushlands, gardens and paddocks settle down for the night. There is the sound of traffic carrying people home. Tempting smells from a BBQ. A dad calling his children in for dinner. The burst of myriads of colours from fireworks. The year draws to a close.

I will welcome the New Year and rejoice!
I will reach out to opportunities and experiences with joy!
I will know that God walks with me!

Whether I am alone or in a crowd I worship you and celebrate all that you are to me. Thank you God!

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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.

My child, if you listen and obey my teachings, you will live a long time. I have shown you the way that makes sense; I have guided you along the right path. Your road won’t be blocked, and you won’t stumble when you run. Hold firmly to my teaching and never let go. It will mean life for you.
Proverbs 4: 10-13

Reflect on the words A JOURNEY for a few moments.

Another year draws to a close. Sometimes it’s been a smooth journey and sometimes it has taken me over rocky places, detours and hidden pathways. There have been days of excitement and celebration. And then there were days when storm clouds shut out the sun and the song of the birds was lost in the sound of thunder.

I can recall travelling alone at times, but then memory brings to mind family and friends who accompanied me. I can recall different points in my journey over the year, experiences and events that were different, yet were necessary to bring me to where I am today.

Spend a few more moments reflecting on what you brought along on your journey and what you remember leaving behind.

Pause to ponder and marvel at the ways God has walked with you through the past year.

Could this be a moment of Epiphany – or an ‘ahha’ moment – for you?

God of my life’s journey, I reach out my hands to you and invite you to continue journeying with me into the year ahead.

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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 true light that shines on everyone was coming into the world.
The Word was in the world, but no one knew him,
though God had made the world with his Word.
He came into his own world but his own nation did not welcome him.
Yet some people accepted him and put their faith in him.
So he gave them the right to be the children of God.
John 1: 9-12

Reflect on the word RECOLLECTION for a few moments.

Another Christmas is over and I am exhausted, Lord. There was so much food — and so much left over. Gifts — some still lie unopened. There was so much energy — now it feels so flat. And I am alone.

I am thankful for the memories that will last me till the next Christmas season and I am filled with warmth when I think of the stories that were shared. I can’t help wondering if it was unfair for us to have so much yesterday when I didn’t give a thought to the migrant family who moved into the street. I wonder what they did yesterday. Then again, would they know what Christmas is about?

As I sit and reflect I wonder: Did you sit at my table on Christmas day? Did you wish to share your story as we told our own? Did we miss being aware of your presence Lord?

I wonder.

God of the Living Word, forgive me when I don’t hear your voice. Forgive me for making time to celebrate Christmas, yet forgetting you.

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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.

Herod secretly called in the wise men and asked them when they had first seen the star. He told them “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, let me know. I want to go and worship him too.” The wise men listened to what the king said and then left. And the star they had seen in the east went on ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. They were thrilled and excited to see the star. When the men went into the house and saw the child with Mary, his mother, they knelt down and worshiped him. They’ took out their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh and gave them to him. Later they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, and they went back home by another road.
Matthew 2:7-12

Reflect on the word COURAGE for a few moments.

The wise men walked away. They didn’t stop to confer, take a vote and look for consensus before they took another road. They had the courage to take a risk. They risked angering Herod when they disobeyed his orders.

Risk-taking needs wisdom, courage and action. Would we have the courage to act when we hear cries for help coming from a neighbor? Have the wisdom to speak the right words when we find ourselves in a sexist or racist conversation? To offer our help to a young mum at her wits end with a distraught child in a shop? Often we do know what we should do, or what action we’d like to take. Taking the first step could be a risk, so we hold back or look the other way.

The wise men listened to the words of Herod and took a risk, so a baby and parents would be safe.

Give me the wisdom, God, to know what risks I should take for you. Give me the courage to act according to your will.

---

© 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.

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.