One day Zechariah ‘s group of priests were on duty and he was serving God as a priest. All at once an angel from the Lord appeared to Zechariah at the right side of the altar. Zechariah was confused and afraid when he saw the angel. But the angel told him: “Don’t be afraid Zechariah! God has heard your prayers. Your wife Elizabeth will have a son, and you must name him John. His birth will make you very happy, and many people will be glad. Your son will be a great servant of the Lord. He must never drink wine or beer, and the power of the Holy Spirit will be with him from the time he is born.
Luke 1: 8, 11-15

Reflect on the word FEAR for a few moments.

“Don’t be afraid!”

Perhaps we freeze with fear when we hear the sounds of footsteps following us, or when we hear strange noises at night. Perhaps we freeze with fear at the sound of the phone ringing when waiting for disturbing news. Or at the sound or sight of violence

Fear is a personal experience. Differentiating between imagined or irrational fear and rational or paralyzing fear is not easy.

But faith can free us from fear as it did for Zechariah and Elizabeth to raise a child in their old age. Mary and Joseph to walk with their Son from Bethlehem to Calvary. Shepherds to run, without looking back. Three wise men to defy Herod.

Do we remain frozen with fear, or learn to fly with the freedom of faith?
Moving from fear to faith requires courage, commitment and continuing
belief in God’s promise to us. “Don’t be afraid!”

God of Unbroken Promise, may I know your presence in my life as Faith and not fear.

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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.

A child has been born for us. We have been given a son
Who will be our ruler.
His name will be Wonderful Advisor and Mighty God,
Eternal Father and Prince of Peace.
His power will never end; peace will last forever.
He will rule David’s kingdom and make it grow strong.
He will always rule with honesty and justice.
The LORD All-Powerful will make certain
That all of this is done.
Isaiah 9: 6-7

Reflect on the word MIGHTY for a few moments.

“A mighty God.”

What does it mean to be mighty in this 21st century?

• mighty space explorations; mighty global enterprises;
• mighty political power; mighty military arsenals;
• mighty technological achievements.

How mighty is “mighty”?

As I prepare to celebrate the birth of the Christ-Child who bears the titles “Prince of Peace”, “Wonderful Advisor”, “Mighty God” I need to examine honestly the implications of my allegiance to such a Savior.

God, incarnate as Peace, Honesty, Justice and Power, is my God and as well as the Creator of the universe. A truly mighty God who cares for the universe and me. It is difficult for my mind to wrap itself around such an awesome idea.

Mighty God, may I always be aware of the consequences of my allegiance to 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.

People of Jerusalem, open your gates!
Repair the road to the city and clear it of stones;
Raise a banner to help the nations find their way.
Here is what the LORD has said for all the earth to hear:
“Soon I will come to save the city of Zion, and to reward you.
Then you will be called,
‘The LORD’s Own People, The Ones He Rescued!’
Your city will be known as a good place to live and a city full of people. “
Isaiah 62: 10-12

Reflect on the word REPAIRING for a few moments.

Many workers are employed in preparing roads and highways. Much planning needs to be done, security precautions need to be put in place, strategies to meet emergencies to be developed, signs and directions to be installed. Despite good construction work, roads need constant monitoring and repair.

Our own roads through life need constant monitoring and repair. We may develop pot-holes in attitudes to racial and ethnic differences, roadblocks to the cries of people in need in our own neighborhood. Become blind to signposts of sexism, racism, discrimination and exploitation. Take deliberate detours to avoid the scourge of violence against children and women.

Preparing to celebrate Christ’s incarnation is also about preparing and repairing our own pathways of life. Whenever we recognize the presence of God another pathway has been prepared. How long will it take me to prepare for the birth of Christ in my life?

Give me the vision and commitment, God, to be diligent in preparation and faithful in waiting for 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.

There is good news for the city of Zion.
Shout it as loud as you can from the highest mountain.
Don’t be afraid to shout to the towns of Judah,
‘Your God is here!”
Look! The powerful LORD God is coming
to rule with his mighty arm.
The LORD cares for his nation,
Just as shepherds care for their flocks.
He carries the lambs in his arms,
While gently leading the mother sheep.
Isaiah 40:9-10a, 11.

Reflect on the word GENTLE for a few moments.

“Your God is here!”

Who would believe such a headline?

Perhaps journalists would have to be assigned to writing a small column for an inside page; or spin-specialists would have to generate stories that make it controversial and sensational. Unsourced leaks would be used to make the news marketable to an over-informed age who would find it hard to consider it as credible news.

What sources do we look for to validate such a headline? Would we accept the words of the writer of Isaiah who depicts God carrying a lamb and gently leading a mother sheep?

No trumpets. No cataclysmic occurrences. No cosmic revelations, earthquakes, tidal waves or tsunamis.

A mother sheep. A baby lamb. And our God.

Dare we believe such a headline?

Help me God not to be afraid to shout the good news: “You are here!”

---

© 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.

A time of Advent reflection

Our LORD and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth!

I often think of the heavens your hands have made,
And of the moon and stars you put in place.
Then I ask, “Why do you care about us humans?
Why are you concerned for us weaklings?”
Psalm 8: 1, 3-4

Reflect on the word ME for a moment.

Each morning as I get ready for the day I look into my mirror and see myself – and wonder. What did I look like the moment I was born? Did my mother smile to see me or were there other emotions?

I’ve heard words such as: “God loves you”, “God cares for you” through my growing years.

Really??

Reflected in the mirror I see times when I looked obnoxious, hurtful, manipulative, stubborn and the words go on. At other times I see a caring, happy, compassionate and sometimes sorrowful face. Who am I? Which of these faces is the real me?

The phone rings. Someone wants to connect with me. I move away from the mirror and pick up the phone. I wonder which “ME” is connecting with the caller.

Outside my window a king parrot looks at me for seed. The first spring daffodils sway in the wind. The rhythms of the day never change. It tells me that the rhythms of my life do not change and that all the “faces” in my mirror blend to make ME.

Thank you for making me who I am and loving me warts and all, 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.