Lutheran World Travels part 4 - Anthony in the UK

Anthony
Presents

Lutheran World Travels
Part4

Christmas Greetings,

Here we are once again in the month of December, a month of frantic preparation for the coming Christmas Holiday and the close of 2007. There have been many Christmas parties, multiple Christmas meals, Christmas cards and presents exchange, not mention all the sweets and coffee that has been consumed. We are winding down for the year at Door of House. We are finishing the work that we have started in 2007 and preparing for 2008 and what is to come. The projects that I am working on for 2008 are a few different fundraisers.

The first that is taking place immediately in the New Year is Door of Hope is encouraging people to give in up alcohol for one month and donate the money they might have spent in that month to the house in the support of the residents here that are striving to give it up for life.

The other two fundraisers are still in the works. I am looking at a sponsored run in the spring doing the Reading Half Marathon. Along with that another member of staff here at Door of Hope we will partake in a sponsored bike ride from Reading to Paris. There will be more exciting details in the coming months.

These are just some of the exciting things to look forward to in the New Year.

Even in the hustle and bustle of the month of December and the seemingly endless array of Christmas ads on the television I think it’s good to remember the reason why we celebrate so joyously during this time of year.

Luke 2: 1-20
In those days there went out a decree from emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was Governor of Syria. All went to there own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and lineage of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger and, because there was no room for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields keeping watch over their flocks by night. Then the angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see- I am bringing you good tidings of great joy for all the people: for to you is born this day in the city of David a saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign unto you: You will find a child wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace among those whom he favours!” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at was told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

In reflecting on this story and in thinking about what may lie ahead here is my prayer for the New Year.

It is on account of Your mercy alone, O Lord, that I am not consumed, because Your compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Abide with me, O God, throughout the coming year. Be my guide in all my perplexities, my strength in my weakness, my ever-ready help in all my troubles. Forgive me all my sins. O Saboath Lord, look down from heaven in grace behold and visit Your holy Church, which You have chosen for Your own. Preserve for us Your saving Word and Sacraments, that Your vine may send out it boughs from sea to sea and its branches to the uttermost parts of the earth. Look graciously upon our nation and all other nations of the world, and bless them with peace. Abide with us Lord. With Your grace and mercy preserve us whole- soul and body- blameless to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

May the Lord touch your heart this Christmas and May you know God’s everlasting peace.

Soli Deo Gloria