Wednesday 18th February 2026
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ASH WEDNESDAY
THE BEGINNING OF LENT This is Ash Wednesday, a Christian observance that marks the beginning of the Lenten season. During Lent, Christians prepare themselves for the solemn remembrance of Christ's death on the Cross. The imposition of ashes is an ancient practice, found in the Old Testament, and reminding us of our own mortality - something to which the modern mind gives little or no attention, but from which there is no escape. The Lenten season has always been associated with the expression of penitence, or repentance. In the Bible, we read that penitents covered their faces in ashes and tore their garments as a sign of their contrition. This custom is strange to our minds, but is well-attested in Scripture, and particularly in the Old Testament. Furthermore, early in St. Mark's Gospel (1: 15), Jesus's "inaugural address" is seen as a clarion call to repentance. "The time has arrived; the kingdom of God is upon you. Repent, and believe the gospel." In keeping with the penitential nature of this season the liturgical colour (as with Advent) is purple. In a sermon in Glasgow Cathedral in 1984, the preacher raised the subject of repentance, and stressed the need for Christians to be aware of their sins and shortcomings, and seek God's grace and forgiveness. He also claimed that people today are so self-assured that they are now convinced there is nothing of which they need to repent. On this Ash Wednesday, we may think carefully about all that is wrong in our lives, and God's forgiveness, lest we become like those who, comfortable in their own self- righteousness, are convinced that they have nothing of which to be ashamed, and therefore have no need for repentance. "If you have behaved badly, repent, make what amends you can and address yourself to the task of behaving better next time." (Aldous Huxley) A PRAYER FOR ASH WEDNESDAY Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are truly penitent. Create and make in us new and contrite hearts that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. THE BLESSING The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all, this Lent and for evermore. Amen. |
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Sunday 15th February 2026
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THE SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE LENT
OUR MERCIFUL GOD "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy." One frustration of modern life is the massive growth in bureaucracy. Over the years, rules and regulations have multiplied in such a way that many now believe our liberties are increasingly curtailed, if not permanently endangered. The same circumstances prevailed in Jesus's day. Like our culture, his was riddled with 'red tape', and a litany of rules and regulations, ranging from the worship of God to the materials from which clothing had to be made. Jewish law was laden with rules that were a burden, a 'yoke' to the ordinary citizen. The regulations governing the Sabbath were particularly strict. No work was to be undertaken, and every effort had to be made to keep the Sabbath sacrosanct. In St. Luke's Gospel (13: 10-17), we find Jesus in a synagogue. By this time in his ministry, the authorities were seeking to trap him at the first opportunity, and they did not need to wait long to do so. Jesus healed a crippled woman on the Sabbath, who had suffered from a back ailment for eighteen years. By doing so, Jesus had undertaken a form of work, breaching the strict legal code that forbade all work on the holiest of days. The watching crowd rejoiced, as the authorities cringed. This incident reveals God as a God of 'mercy.' There are certain circumstances that call for a 'merciful,' rather than a strictly legalistic approach. There are times when kindness, compassion and understanding must take priority over the demands of a moral or legal code, and when human beings must be treated as people who bear God's image, deserving dignity and worth. If Jesus Christ (as we believe) embodies the nature and character of God, then our God is 'merciful' in his dealings with his people. This was grasped by Old Testament writers, such as the author of Psalm 103, who affirms that: 'The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.' In an age where systems of regulation are said to dehumanise, Jesus provides a picture of a God whose 'mercy' surpasses all the restrictions that the finest minds have devised. In 2016, Pope Francis wrote a little book with the title, The Name of God Is Mercy, in which he shared anecdotes about God's grace and love at work in the lives of his parishioners in Argentina, and in the lives of others known to him personally. His conclusion is that we must see 'mercy' as "the first attribute of God," and that God "does not want anyone to be lost." As we approach Lent, the season of spiritual preparation that leads to Easter, and which begins on Wednesday (Ash Wednesday), we may think carefully about 'mercy' and its application in a merciless world, and so be among the 'merciful' whom our Lord has promised a blessing. It is arguably 'mercy,' in the Biblical sense, that we need so much today, when human cruelty is everywhere, and compassion, forgiveness and grace are in short supply. "The supreme instance of mercy... is the coming of God in Jesus Christ." (William Barclay) A PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK Merciful God, in whom we live and move and have our being: as we now approach these holy days of Lent, take this world into your care and keeping: bless your Church with a rekindled faith, and the nations with your peace; take our lives, and let them be consecrated to your service; and in this age of turmoil, bring healing, health and wholeness to us all; and when our days are over and our work done, take us through the heavenly gate to live with you for ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A PRAYER FOR LENT Thanks be to thee, O Lord Christ, for all the benefits that thou hast given us; for all the pains and insults which thou hast borne for us. O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may we know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more nearly; for thine own sake. Amen. Richard of Chichester 1197-1253 THE BLESSING May the love of the Lord Jesus draw us to himself; may the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen us in his service; may the joy of the Lord Jesus fill our souls; and may the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with us and abide with us always. Amen. |
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Sunday 8th February 2026
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THE SECOND SUNDAY BEFORE LENT
TENDING THE GARDEN Those who study our climate have reported that January 2026 was one of the wettest on record, with severe flooding in many parts of the country, causing much damage and misery as a consequence. Whatever weather we have had to endure, our plant life is now slowly emerging from winter's darkness. Snowdrops are appearing in gardens, and in some milder, coastal areas, the daffodils are through the ground and in bloom. Our gardens will shortly require attention, whether clearing away fallen branches, leaves and other debris, or merely giving them a mid-winter 'tidying up.' In the Book of Genesis (2: 4-15), Adam, the first person God created, is placed in a garden: the Garden of Eden. But Adam is not put there to entertain himself, and use this place as one of recreation and rest. God gives him a task: he is charged with the responsibility of maintaining that garden, or tilling or tending it, or, as we might say, of keeping it 'up to scratch.' Adam is not permitted to roam around in idleness. Adam is required to work. Adam represents Everyman or Everyperson - he is each one of us. And the point this story is making is that in life, we have a duty to work, a duty which comes from God, our creator. Our work is a calling, a vocation, an offering, an instrument by which we till the garden of this world, and help bring about God's kingdom. Our work has a God-given dignity, and in the garden of today's world, the most menial of tasks has a sanctity about it. Whether we are retired, or in full-time employment, all our work, our industry, our labour is intended to give glory to God. Work is an essential part of our humanity and has a divine connection with our spiritual journey. The hymn writer, Ernest Edward Dugmore, grasped this in the opening lines of one of his hymns: "Almighty Father of all things that be, Our life, our work, we consecrate to thee." Whatever task we are called to do, God has made the garden of the world in such a way that it can only become a paradise when we take our labour seriously, and till or tend the garden as best we can, and as we have opportunity to do so. John Calvin, the Geneva-based Church Reformer, passionately believed in the significance of the Christian work ethic, whereby every Christian has a divine duty to serve God in the world. Calvin gave ordinary, everyday tasks a new significance, and a new meaning. For Calvin, all human labour is God-focussed, and not only our religious duties and devotions. Those who undertake the most mundane tasks are doing God's work as much as any cleric, or someone in the professions. The dignity of human labour is central to Calvin's thought, to Reformed thinking, and to Christian faith and practice. Do we take this seriously today? Do we consecrate our work as well as our life, to the glory of God - the God who created the heavens and the earth - and gave us this world as his garden? Do we see our work, however menial, as a means of advancing God's kingdom and improving this garden granted by his grace? Or is our labour only another chore among many - something we must do to keep us occupied and sustain us from one day to the next? In the Christian Year, we are progressing towards Lent, that season set apart for serious self-examination. As we reflect on our lives, let us make our labour, whatever form it takes, an offering of love to God. Let us till or tend the garden God has given us as our earthly home with commitment and constant care, and make this fractured world the garden of the Lord. As an anonymous source has stated: "The ceremony of labour is no meaningless ritual but one that functions as an instrument of praise." A PRAYER FOR THE DAY God our creator and redeemer, whose gift to us is this new day: may all that we do this day, and in this coming week, be an offering of love, as well as an offering of duty. Bless our work, our labour and all our industry; and may all that we do, high or humble, be for your greater glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A PRAYER FOR THE DIGNITY OF WORK Almighty God, Father of all mercies, you have granted us the dignity of labour, to tend the garden of the world, and maintain the welfare of its people. Make us committed and conscientious in everything we do, and may all our work flourish and prosper with your blessing, so that our earthly home becomes like a garden, a place of peace and beauty blessed by you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE BLESSING God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit bless, preserve, and keep us, this day, and for ever. Amen. |
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Sunday 1st February 2026
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THOUGHTS ON CANDLEMAS
The festival of Candlemas falls on 2nd February every year. According to an old tradition, this is officially the end of the Christmas season, the day on which decorations should be taken down and other festive ornaments put away. In the early Christian Church, Candlemas was a great festival of light, proclaiming Christ as light of the world. The tradition developed whereby beeswax candles were blessed for use in churches and private homes throughout the year. Some early historians refer to The Feast of Lighted Candles, and in some churches today there is still a procession of candles to mark this occasion in the Christian Year. In Jesus's day, when a woman had borne a child, she was declared 'ritually unclean' for forty days - eighty days if the child was a girl. The mother could continue with her household duties and daily business, but could not enter the Temple or share in religious ceremonies. At the end of this period, she had to take a lamb to the Temple as a burnt offering, and a young pigeon as a sin offering. This was an expensive gift, and the law stated that if she could not afford a lamb, she could bring two pigeons instead. Thus St. Luke (2: 21-24) tells us that Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to Jerusalem to "present him to the Lord", and to make the required sacrifice. To the modern mind, this is a peculiar ceremony. We would never declare a new mother 'ritually unclean,' nor would we insist that she take her newborn child to the Church or some other holy place "to be presented to the Lord," and dedicated to the Lord's service. Yet behind this practice is the conviction that every child is a gift of God. Indeed, Professor William Barclay has said of this custom that it teaches us that "Of all God's gifts there is none for which we shall be so answerable as the gift of a child." It has also been suggested that behind this custom is the solid conviction that human life is sacred, and not to be regarded lightly or as a mere commodity. This is arguably in contrast to our age, where human life is often seen as cheap and expendable, with no hint of it being a God-given gift. We only need to think of injury and needless deaths caused by crime and mindless violence, or of lives lost in conflict, or by other deliberate and cruel means, to conclude that in our day human life is regarded by many as only a commodity - a product that can readily be ill-treated or dispensed with. Our modern age doesn't always see human life as having a divine significance, and bearing God's own image. The festival of Candlemas has given rise to many traditions over the centuries. It does, however, commemorate the time when Jesus was "presented in the Temple" and acclaimed the light of the nations, and when his mother Mary was pronounced 'ritually clean' forty days after giving birth to her son. Further to this, the peculiar customs of Candlemas remind us that the life of a child, indeed every life, is a gift of God and ought to be treated as such. Do we see human life as a gift of God, and invested with divine significance? Or do we dismiss it as a mere commodity to do with as we wish? PRAYERS FOR CANDLEMAS Jesus said: "I am the light of the world. Those who follow me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." Gracious God, our strength and our salvation, without whose light we walk in darkness and in error: at this time of Candlemas we confess that we have sinned against you and against one another in what we have done, and in what we have not done. We acknowledge our failure in pure in holy living, and all else that is amiss in our lives.... Pardon our past mistakes, we pray; and at this time of Candlemas, help us to live each moment of our day in the clear, shining light of your love, revealed to us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty and ever-living God, whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple: grant that we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts, by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Lord Jesus Christ, light of the nations and glory of Israel: make your home among us, and present us pure and holy to your heavenly Father, your God, and our God. Amen. THE BLESSING May the love of the Father enfold us, the wisdom of the Son enlighten us, the fire of the Spirit inflame us; and may the blessing of God rest upon us and abide with us, now and for ever. Amen. |
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Sunday 25th January 2026
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A CHRIST-LIKE CULTURE
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things." This Sunday, we usually take some aspect of 'culture' as our theme. At this time, the Burns Supper season is well underway, with traditional celebrations taking place here and across the world. Indeed, today is the anniversary of the poet's birth in 1759 at Alloway, and so it is appropriate that we think not only of Robert Burns and his impact on our culture, but on how we may shape our contemporary culture in a much more Christ-like way. In that marvellous passage above from his Letter to the Philippians (4: 4-8), St. Paul places demands on the Christian community at Philippi. If the people there are to think and act properly as the people of God, they must keep their character, their integrity intact by fulfilling a series of demands. In other words, in their living out of the Christian life, they must 'think' in the right way, so that they will 'act' in the right way. The preservation of their integrity of character depends on how they 'think' and 'act,' and the connection between 'thinking' and 'acting' must be taken seriously. Demands are placed on us to live as God would have us live, and preserve our character, our integrity from being undermined or destroyed. This is because our 'thought process' largely determines how we will 'act,' and how we will behave. Thus St. Paul pleads with the Philippians to focus their minds only on what is true, honest, gracious, just, pure, lovely and worthy of praise. By thinking the right things they will do the right things, and help create more of a Christ-like culture within the wider community. These demands are relevant today. We may not realise that there is a connection between our 'thinking' and our 'acting,' but the apostle reminds us that our entire 'thought process' has a direct bearing on how we behave, and on how we live the Christian life. A well-known American preacher once made this very point when he said that "all wars have to be thought, before they are fought," meaning that human conflicts have their origin in the mind. A Scottish minister also aptly put it when he boldly said that "the mind is a room that deserves only the very best of furniture," not the trivial or the trash, of which there is so much in contemporary society. It is said that we are living in a culture in which mediocrity has gained a prominent place. As a consequence, standards have fallen over the years, and there is a widespread general acceptance of what was once dismissed as the second or third rate. The pursuit of excellence, it is claimed, has been abandoned in favour of embracing almost everything fashionable, while any Christian influence on our culture has been reduced, if not eradicated. The human mind will always focus on something. St. Paul was well aware of this, and he wanted to make sure that the Philippians would set their minds only on the right things, and thereby create a Christ-like culture among them. As we enter further into this new year, let us take the apostle's words to heart, and accept the demand to focus our minds only on the right things, thereby encouraging a much more Christ-like culture to flourish among us. "Only the steadfast pursuit of excellence can stem the drift into hopeless mediocrity." (Colin Morris) A PRAYER FOR THE DAY God of mercy, God of grace, we confess that in thought, word and deed we have fallen short of your glory and of what you require of us. We have filled our minds with many thoughts, often disregarding what is true and noble, what is just and pure, what is excellent and virtuous. We have preferred to follow our own thinking, our own desires, our own pleasures, through which we have dishonoured you and lost our way.... God of faithfulness and love, assure us of your mercy and forgiveness, that our minds may be cleansed and our hearts strengthened to live more nearly as we ought; and by the power of your Holy Spirit, help us to pursue excellence in all things; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A PRAYER FOR OUR CULTURE Almighty God, source of all truth and creative power: we ask your blessing on our culture, that only what is best may take root and flourish among us. Preserve us as a people from all that is degrading; and instil in us the gifts of purity and truth, goodness and grace, compassion and benevolence, and other virtues that are pleasing to you. Save us from all mediocrity, and enable us to give you only the finest, in all things at all times, in every place; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE BLESSING God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep us, this day and for ever. Amen. |
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Sunday 18th January 2026
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THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST
A THOUGHT The administration of the Sacrament of Baptism is always a lovely service in our churches; and though Christian denominations have different ways of undertaking and understanding their baptismal procedures, it is always a memorable occasion. When Jesus came to be baptised by John the Baptist in the River Jordan, John was startled and seemed unwilling to do this. It was John's conviction that it was he who needed what Jesus could give, and not what he could do for Jesus. In John's baptism, there was a call to repentance and the offer of forgiveness, followed by amendment of life. But if Jesus truly was who he was really meant to be, he did not stand in need of repentance, nor did he require forgiveness from God. John's baptism was primarily for sinners, conscious of their failings - something that did not seem applicable to Jesus. Nevertheless, the moment came when Jesus stood before John, to be baptised by him in the River Jordan, an event marking the beginning of his public ministry. It has been said that for some thirty years, Jesus had waited in Nazareth to prepare for the ministry which lay ahead of him. Whether he was performing simple duties at home, assisting Joseph in his work, or undertaking studies of some kind, we do not know. But if Jesus, during this period, grew increasingly conscious of the fact that there was a God-given task ahead of him, there would inevitably come a time when this would be made known publicly. Jesus's baptism marks the beginning of his public ministry. It has been said that the success of any undertaking depends on knowing the right moment when to embark on it. Jesus was aware of this, and his baptism was the very moment for which he had been waiting. This remains true today. The success of any project depends on knowing the right moment when to begin. A building contractor needs to know the right time to start a construction project. An airline pilot needs to know the right moment to lift the aircraft safely from the runway and render it airborne. A surgeon needs to know the right moment for carrying out surgery, and an engineer needs to know the right moment to begin road construction or repairs to our railway network. In our lives today, there is a right moment for which we should wait and prepare, or the project may collapse with embarrassing, unintended consequences. Jesus might well have spent his early years, waiting and preparing to leap on to the public stage, and start his public ministry after baptism by John. As we progress into this new year, may God give us grace to know the right moment for embarking on any project, so that it brings the success that we want and expect. A PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK Almighty God, our teacher and guide, as we make the journey of life help us by your Holy Spirit to know the right moment when to do the right deed, so that any project we begin may meet with the success and fulfilment we are seeking; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A PRAYER FOR THIS SEASON Most gracious God, in whose love and perfect wisdom our times and seasons are arranged: as we enter further into this new year, give us such confidence, such trust, such faith in you, that at all times and in every place you may be praised for all, praised for all, and loved for all; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE BLESSING May the love of the Father enfold us, the wisdom of the Son enlighten us, the fire of the Spirit inflame us; and may the blessing of God rest upon us and abide with us, now and evermore. Amen. |
A Baptismal stone in South Ayrshire
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Sunday 11th January 2026
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THE THIRD SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS
THE EARLY YEARS Of Jesus's early years, we know virtually nothing, apart from an incident recorded in St. Luke's Gospel (2: 41-52) when he was twelve years old. At the age of twelve, a Jewish boy became a man, or, more correctly, a 'son of the law,' taking on the duties that Jewish law required. At the age of twelve, Jesus was taken by his parents to the Passover Festival in Jerusalem for this ceremony, where the unexpected happened. When his parents had returned to Nazareth, the boy Jesus lingered in the city. After returning to Jerusalem, and following a three-day search, Joseph and Mary found Jesus in the Temple, discussing the weighty issues of the day with religious and political leaders. Here was the young Jesus at the great debates - a learner among the learned. What does this indicate? That the early years of Jesus's life were entirely spent in his father's workshop at Nazareth? In his early life, was Jesus what we might call "a trainee craftsman?" Or does his debate with the learned of the day point to something else? It has been suggested that if Jesus was so intellectually gifted at the age of twelve, some or all of his early life must have been spent as a student, as a learner, taking in the weighty matters of his day and forming opinions about them. We cannot say for certain, but some serious study under the Rabbis seems likely. St. Luke (2:40) tells us that as the child grew, he matured in body, mind and spirit. He increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and his fellow human beings. The babe of Bethlehem did not remain an infant. The scenes of Jesus's birth may still be fresh in our minds, but the truth is that 'the child grew.' As Christian disciples, we cannot stay at Bethlehem. We cannot idolise the Christ child, lying in a manger, proclaimed by angels, and visited by wise men. We cannot let the sentimental side of the manger scene rule our Christian thinking and our Christian witness. As 'the child grew' - mentally, physically, spiritually - we must grow with him, and allow his life to shape our lives, and inspire our Christian witness in the world today. We are still in the early days of this new year. This year will have its challenges for all of us. We can, however, face them with confidence and courage, certain that Christ has plans for the Church, for the nation and for the world. But we will never find out what these plans are if we remain at Bethlehem, and keep looking back to Jesus's birth and to the strange circumstances surrounding it. As it has rightly been said, "we do not worship a baby God." The child grew - mentally, physically, spiritually, socially - and we must grow with him. By making Christ's maturity our maturity, Christ's wisdom our wisdom, Christ's compassion our compassion, we will come closer to discerning his will for us, and to fulfilling it in the way he requires of us. As the child grew, let us resolve in this new year to follow him, so that by following him we grow with him. A PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR Almighty and everliving God, whose dear Son grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with you and his fellow human beings: give us grace in this new year to grow with him in wisdom, that he may always be to us the pattern we follow, the master we serve, and the friend to whom we turn; in whose name we pray. Amen. THE BLESSING The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all. Amen. |
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Sunday 4th January 2026
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"The Lord God has been our refuge
throughout all generations: from everlasting to everlasting, he is our God." THE FIRST SUNDAY OF THE YEAR A NEW BEGINNING "Blessed are those who are given the opportunity of a new beginning!" These words could well have come from the lips of Jesus. In fact, they come from the pen of the late Dr. Denis Duncan, a Church of Scotland minister, who became a gifted author, counsellor and spiritual writer, with a fine reputation in the "ministry of print." His words speak of a blessing on those who are given the opportunity of a new beginning, and the chance of a fresh start in life. This is exactly what a New Year is about. God, in his unfailing providence, has given a new chapter in life to each of us. We do not know where this New Year will take us, nor do we know what the pathway ahead will bring. What we do know is that this coming year is God's gift to us, and today is an opportunity to give thanks for the grace of a new beginning. This does not mean that we have to forget the past, and erase the experience of 2025 from our minds. The past remains part of our life's rich tapestry, and will no doubt contribute much to how we shape the future. To dismiss it from memory would be a great loss, and there must be some valuable lessons we can take with us into the future. That said, however, we have been blessed with the gift of another year, with its possibilities and opportunities, and we ought to accept it with enthusiasm, and with the confidence of those who profess Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. "Blessed are those who are given the opportunity of a new beginning!" That blessing belongs to us, so let us make 2026 a time of new beginnings, weaving our way through it with a strong faith, and with that inner peace which only God in Christ can give. With every blessing and best wish to you all in 2026! A PRAYER FOR TODAY O God, our help in ages past, and our hope for the years to come: all praise and glory be to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for safely bringing us in your love to the gate of this new year.... Forgive us the wrong we have done in the year now ended; and set us free from guilt and despair, and from all that hinders our communion with you.... And as we enter the gate of another year, help us to commit ourselves into your care and to rededicate our lives in your service; through him, who is the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End of all things, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING God of new beginnings, whose years never fail and whose mercy is everlasting: we give thanks for the blessings of the year now ended; and as we begin this new year of our life's journey, we praise you for the possibilities and for the opportunities before us; but most of all, for the assurance that Christ the Saviour is with us, our companion on the way. Give us grace to learn from the errors of the past, to face the challenges of the present, and to renew our hope for the future, as we now go forward in faith, and in the name of Christ the Lord. Amen. THE BLESSING May God bless the coming year, giving us in his mercy: time for the task, peace for the pathway, courage for the challenges, and love to the last. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon us, and remain with us always. Amen. |
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Thursday 1st January 2026
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A THOUGHT FOR NEW YEAR'S DAY
"God has made everything to suit its time." The Christmas season is traditionally one for the giving and receiving of gifts. Once again, the high street stores have been crammed with customers seeking a purchase, and preferably a bargain, though in recent years, online shopping has largely replaced the Christmas rush to the department stores. Throughout our lives, God has given us gifts - without number and beyond price. That beautiful passage in the third chapter in the Book of Ecclesiastes, from which the above text is taken, reminds us that time is a divine blessing, and that God has made everything to suit its time. In other words, in the mind and purpose of God, there is a time laid down for every circumstance and event. As we come to another year in our life's ongoing journey, we may remind ourselves that time is one of God's most precious gifts to us, and that this new year, whatever it may being, is a divine gift bestowed on us by our Creator. How are we going to use this gift? Are we going to use it in such a way that it brings glory to God and only good to other people? Or are we going to fritter it away and waste the opportunities that time provides us with? We can choose to use the gift of time in the way in which it was intended, or take it and waste it, with little or nothing to show for it. Let us use this coming year in the best way possible, trusting in the One who makes all things new - who is the beginning and the end of all things - Jesus Christ our Lord. He is the light to shine upon our path, and our constant companion on the way. A happy, healthy and peaceful New Year to you all, with richest blessings, and a proper use of time, throughout 2026! A NEW YEAR BLESSING May Christ our Lord, who is the Source of every beginning, and the One who makes all things new, grant us faithful hearts, loving hands and steadfast wills throughout this coming year, that we may always be pleasing and acceptable in his sight. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon us, and remain with us, this New Year's day, and always. Amen. |
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Sunday 28th December 2025
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THE FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS
THE LAST SUNDAY OF THE YEAR "The eyes of the Lord are always upon you, from the beginning of the year, even to the end." This Sunday is the last Sunday of the year. When "the bells" chime on Wednesday night, we will pass from one year into another. For some, it's a time of anticipation, with an eager 'looking forward' to what the new year may bring. For others, this is a time of mixed emotions, with feelings of loneliness, weariness, and a sadness that time is moving forward much more quickly than desired. Yet for others, there's the indifferent attitude - those for whom the New Year means neither one thing nor the other. Forty-three years ago, I spent Christmas and New Year in the lovely city of Toronto in Canada. In the centre of Toronto, I came across a grand-looking department store with a large front window overlooking the bustling street. Behind this window there was a splendid display, with life-size characters busy "counting" something. One was looking at a calendar on the wall, counting the days until the end of the year. Another was kneeling on the floor, counting the Christmas gifts that had piled up underneath the Christmas tree. Another was standing at a fireplace, counting the Christmas cards on the mantelpiece and on other furnishings. Another was in the kitchen, counting the items coming out of various shopping bags. And another was at a desk with a wallet, counting his dollars and cents. But one was at the fireside, reclining in an armchair, quietly telling us what he was doing: "I'm counting my blessings!" As we come to the last Sunday of this year, this is an opportunity for each of us to "count our blessings." Even though this has not been the most cheerful of years, there must be something for which to express our gratitude. For the eyes of the Lord our God are always upon us, from the beginning of the year to the end (Deuteronomy 11. 12), thereby emphasising God's constant care and attention for his people. Personally, I must say that a highlight of 2025 was my 40th anniversary as minister at Kirkmichael and Straiton, which was marked by an excellent service, followed by a delicious lunch, and with several generous gifts which were completely unexpected. I will shortly complete 40 calendar years in my ministry with you, and the blessings gained are beyond measure. It has been an experience beyond words to have served you here, and I am so grateful to have had the energy and enthusiasm to make my tenure a long one. My gratitude is without question profound. Let us take some time to "count our blessings," and express our thanksgiving to God, who, in his love for the world, has safely brought us to this hour, to this very moment, and to the gate of another year in our life's continuing journey. A happy, healthy and peaceful New Year to you all, with every blessing in 2026! A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Eternal Lord God, by whose command the order of time quietly runs its course: we give you thanks for bringing us through a challenging year of our life's continuing journey. Forgive us our ingratitude in the year now ending, and our forgetfulness of you, and teach us, now and in the coming days, to number our blessings and give you due praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE BLESSING May the Lord who has blessed and kept us in the year now ending, preserve our going out and our coming in, from this time forth and for evermore. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among us, and remain with us always. Amen. |
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Christmas Day
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CHRISTMAS DAY
THE INN-KEEPER The Christmas story, as recorded in St. Luke's Gospel, was a most incredible event. The birth was announced by angels, singing in the night sky. Their message was heard by shepherds, who left their work and went straight to Bethlehem to see the new-born child. Mary and Joseph were in a stable or cattle stall - not the usual place for a birth. And at some later point, according to St. Matthew's Gospel, the child was visited by wise men from the east, bearing their threefold gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. There is, however, one person on whom the story depends, who rarely, if ever, receives a mention. Nor do we usually see them represented in a Christmas crib. That is the inn-keeper. We are told that there was no room at the inn for Mary and Joseph on the night that Jesus was born. But we are told nothing about the inn-keeper who led the couple to a cattle stall or some other structure, so that the birth could take place. Here is a Christmas thought. The main characters in the Christmas story are well-known. One of them is anonymous, but without their contribution, the story would not have taken the shape that it does. It might be thought that the inn-keeper was 'a grumpy landlord' who turned Mary and Joseph away, but this portrayal has no substance. The inn-keeper gave Mary and Joseph accommodation when the inn was filled with guests. He could easily have turned them away, and ignored their plight. Instead, he did something practical, while remaining anonymous to us. In the Christian faith, there are countless people like that inn-keeper: people who are unknown to the world, but are known to God. The inn-keeper is a reminder today of those 'anonymous Christians' on whom the whole fabric of the world depends, and whose practical and positive help we need. On Christmas Day, we remember and give thanks for them. Furthermore, the inn-keeper invites us to consider our response to those in need, not only at Christmas, but at all times. Like the inn-keeper, do we provide practical help, when required? Or do we turn a blind eye to the plight of those less fortunate than ourselves and hope that their predicament will quickly and quietly pass away? In the face of human need and suffering, we may have the generosity of the Good Samaritan, or the tough hard-heartedness of the priest and the Levite who callously walked past on the other side. The story of the inn-keeper encourages us to open our hearts to all those who are in need. This is a thought-provoking message for Christmas Day. But then the coming of God in Jesus Christ is a thought-provoking event, still being discussed and debated some two thousand years later! A happy, peaceful Christmas Day to you all! A CHRISTMAS DAY BLESSING May the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of the wise men, the obedience of Joseph and Mary, and the peace of the Christ child be ours this Christmas Day. Amen. |
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Sunday 21st December 2025
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ADVENT 4
THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST A THOUGHT FOR CHRISTMAS SUNDAY On this Fourth Sunday of Advent we are moving closer to the celebration of Christmas Day. It is often said that Christmas is an occasion for the children, a children's festival, a time for our young people to enjoy themselves in the traditional way. This is not surprising, since much of the commercial side to Christmas, particularly the lavish advertising that seems to start earlier each year, is targeted at children and young people. Thus we often hear it said that "Christmas is a time for the children." This understanding of Christmas is reinforced by the fact that many Christmas celebrations involve children, such as nativity plays, concerts and carol singing, so we might be forgiven for thinking of Christmas in this somewhat exclusive way. Christmas should not, however, be understood in this way. Christmas should not be thought of as a children's festival, even if our thoughts are firmly focussed at this time on the Christ child, born at Bethlehem, to a young woman called Mary. At Christmas the Christ child does take centre place. But Christmas is a festival for everyone - for people of all ages. The stories of the birth of Jesus are not children's stories, and were never written with children in mind. These are stories for all of us, irrespective of our age. The stories of our Lord's birth were written to make a statement about him. Their purpose is to emphasise his uniqueness, and to tell us that throughout the whole of Jesus's life, God's hand is at work. There is no other person like Jesus. There is no greater teacher than Jesus. There is no Saviour compared to Jesus. Mary's child is unique in every respect, and the hand of God is at work in him throughout his life and beyond. Jesus is God's gift to all of us, whether or not we are children. To see Christmas as a children's event is to misunderstand its nature. As someone once put it: Jesus is 'the human face of God.' This is what the stories of his birth were first written to make known. The coming of God in Jesus Christ is for the world and for all mankind! O come, then, let us adore him, Christ the Lord! A happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas to you all! CHRISTMAS PRAYERS Almighty God, by whose grace we celebrate Christmastide: May the light of the Christmas Gospel fill your Church with joy and peace in believing: that like the star once shining in the east, your Church may become the very light that leads people, here and everywhere, to the cradle, the cross, and the crown of Mary's child, Jesus Christ.... May the Christmas promise of peace on earth and goodwill to all people be much more real for us, and for the world at this time of joyful celebration. May the love of Christ, the Prince of Peace, come and enfold us, bringing his peace to the Church and to the nations, to communities and individuals, to our homes and to our hearts.... May the Christmas gift of light to the world bring hope and comfort to those who live in the darkness of this world, especially to the sick, the suffering, the sorrowing, to the hungry, the homeless, the helpless, and to all those who cannot share the spirit of this holy season, quietly recalling in faith any known to us, and loved by us.... And so to all who need our prayers: to those for whom we have prayed, and to all for whom we have not prayed but are known to you, most loving God, may the coming Christ bring healing and hope, and his eternal blessing.... All this we ask through Jesus Christ, the world's true light, for ever shining, who is Lord and Saviour of all. Amen. THE BLESSING May the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of the wise men, the obedience of Joseph and Mary, and the peace of the Christ child be ours this Christmas and always. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon us, and remain with us always. Amen |
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Sunday 14 December 2025
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ADVENT 3
JOHN THE BAPTIST "The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together." Our modern world is one of sending messages, whether by traditional means or by the various ways of technology at our disposal. During the pandemic, of course, the digital way became so much more widely used, though there are still those for whom pen and paper will never be surpassed. Our world is indeed one of sending messages, while our post and parcel services, with other couriers, continue to serve as messengers. In the Advent story, John the Baptist is regarded as a messenger, called to 'prepare the way' for the coming of the Messiah, which we find rooted in the Old Testament. In a passage from the book of Isaiah (40:1-11), the prophet foretells the coming of God's messenger to 'prepare the way' for his Chosen One - someone later identified as John the Baptist. John was what we would call an eccentric: he lived an austere life, dressed up in strange clothes, ate locusts and wild honey, and behaved in a way that many would regard as bizarre and unorthodox. As a preacher in his own right, the interesting fact about John is that he never sought publicity for himself. John regarded his ministry as one of preparation - as one of 'preparing the way' for the 'advent' or 'coming' of Jesus Christ. When Jesus finally appeared, John retreated into the background to allow Jesus to have the foremost place. From what we know about him, John never sought to draw attention to himself, or crave the kind of publicity that attention-seekers look for today. It is often said that we live in a celebrity-driven culture, where many go to inordinate lengths to attract public attention and approval. One writer has recently said that we are living in an "attention-seeking society," where self-worship has reached new heights and is almost a national industry. Yet John the Baptist, in spite of his eccentric appearance and erratic manner, stands as a reminder to all of us that while "attention-seeking" might be the way of the world, it is not the Christian way. Humility and grace are Christ's way, and this is something of which John the Baptist was acutely aware. As part of our Advent discipline, we could reflect on this, and work for a world where humility and grace, with a profound absence of "attention-seeking," are much more in evidence, and where John the Baptist's modesty becomes an example to follow. Almighty and ever-living God, by whose power John the Baptist was born into the world as forerunner of the promised Messiah: help us to hear and to heed once more his message of repentance and amendment of life, and to follow his blessed example of humility and self-denial; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK Almighty God, you sent your servant John the Baptist to prepare your people to welcome the Messiah. Inspire the ministers and stewards of your truth to turn our disobedient hearts to you, that when the Christ shall come again to be our judge we may stand with confidence before his glory; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. From: Common Order (Church of Scotland), Edinburgh 1994, 649 THE BLESSING May the Lord Jesus Christ, who by his most blessed Advent, came to redeem the world, sanctify our bodies, minds and spirits; that we may await his coming again in glory with faith, and without fear. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among us, and remain with us always. Amen. |
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Sunday 7 December 2025
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ADVENT 2
THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST "The Son of Man will come with power and great glory!" The Advent season was, and still is for many people, one of preparation for the "coming" or "arrival" of Jesus Christ. It has also historically been one of getting ready for what is called the Second Coming of Christ at the end of history. The shortness of time is something that we are conscious of these days. People of all ages say that the years are moving on at an incredible pace. Many great people have expressed anxiety at the shortness of time. Robert Louis Stevenson, in his Songs of Travel, noted his fear of "the sunset gun" going off too soon, while the poet Keats, in When I Have Fears, expressed an anxiety that he might "cease to be" before completing his work. Like so many great people before him, St. Paul was haunted by the shortness of time. This was founded on his belief that the Second Coming of Christ was imminent. Indeed, the early Christian Church expected Christ to return to this world at any moment, and people had to be prepared for it. Therefore, in Romans 11:11-14, the apostle affirms his belief that time is short, that the Lord's coming is near, and that his readers ought to live in such a virtuous way as befits this cataclysmic event. What are we to make of this today? After some two thousand years, this event, with its attendant drama, has not happened. Jesus Christ has not returned to earth as expected, and in the powerful way described in some of our Advent hymns. Perhaps we need to interpret this less literally, and look at the conviction on which this belief rests. The conviction is that history is not, as some suppose, a series of unrelated events, thrown together by pure chance. All history has a meaning and purpose to it, and the climax of history will be the ultimate triumph of Jesus Christ, and of everything that he stands for. In other words: there is a reason for our being here, and all events, good or otherwise, are part of God's plan, leading to the final triumph of Jesus Christ. Therefore, as Professor William Barclay puts it: we should live in such a way as if Jesus were to come among us at any moment. For every day, we draw nearer to that time when the child of Bethlehem will be Lord of all. In this Advent season, we may ask ourselves if we are living in a way that would meet with Christ's approval should he come - or in a way that brings judgment on us and dishonour to his name. Whatever view we take of the Second Coming, it points to the ultimate triumph of Jesus Christ, whose coming we await, and whose day draws near. A PRAYER FOR TODAY Holy God, faithful and unchanging, beyond our deepest understanding, yet made known to us in Jesus Christ: as we come to this season of Advent, take your Church, and strengthen it; take our world, and cleanse it; take our nation, and purify it; take our brokenness, and mend it; take our lives, and make them fit for every duty that awaits us, that we may be faithful servants of Jesus Christ, whose coming we await and whose day draws near. Amen. A PRAYER FOR ADVENT Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. From: Common Order (Church of Scotland), Edinburgh 1994, 649 THE BLESSING The God of peace make us holy in all things that we may be ready at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among us, and remain with us always. Amen. |
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Sunday 30 November 2025
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THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
ADVENT SUNDAY Today is Advent Sunday, sometimes called the First Sunday of Advent or First Advent Sunday. In the Western Christian Churches, this marks the first day of the new Christian Year, and also the start of the Advent season. The colour violet or purple is used in Advent; the first Advent candle is traditionally lit in the worship service; and clergy are usually robed in violet-coloured or blue vestments. The word "Advent" comes from the Latin adventus, meaning "coming" or "arrival." In a Christian context, this refers to the "coming" or "arrival" of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day, and also to his so-called Second Coming at the end of time. Historically, however, there was little connection between Advent and Christmas. In Advent, new Christians underwent preparation for baptism at Epiphany in January, and would spend the days in penance, prayer and fasting. In the Middle Ages, the Advent season became explicitly linked to Christ's first coming at Christmas, and the majority today would no doubt understand Advent in this way. In modern times, Advent is usually associated with holidays, celebrations, shopping, lights, cards and decorations, wreaths, calendars and candles and other artefacts. The notion of fasting in Advent (as in Lent) has largely disappeared from public consciousness, though some Christians still practise it as a spiritual discipline. Advent has become a secularised season leading up to Christmas, the spiritual nature and the seriousness of which are still preserved in its colour of violet or purple. Clergy often wear purple stoles and purple Advent candles are lit in many of our churches. How might we use Advent today? This year, we could use Advent as a time of reflection, looking back on the dark days of war and conflict in the world, while also thinking of the evil, and the needless suffering and sorrow so many must endure. We could also consider the sinfulness in our own lives and our constant need of God's grace and forgiveness. Thereafter, we could look forward in hope to the coming of God in Jesus Christ, and reaffirm our wholehearted trust in him. For as George Wallace Briggs (1875-1959) reassures us in his fine hymn: "Christ is the world's true light, its captain of salvation, the daystar clear and bright of every race and nation." Advent as a season may have lost its traditional role. But these days preceding Christmas may still be a time to reflect, and to pray that the long-expected Jesus will inspire us to make this world more Christ-centred, and our own lives more Christ-like. Lord our God, by whose everlasting grace we come to these holy days of Advent: may this special season always be for us a time of reflection, repentance and renewal; and by the power of your Holy Spirit, prepare us once more for the birth of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, the child in the manger, the infant of Mary, the world's true light for ever shining. Amen. A GENERAL PRAYER Gracious God, source of all life and light, as we begin this season of Advent, we ask your blessing on our Church, our world, our nation and our community, when many are anxious about the present, and uncertain, and fearful of the future. Enfold us and surround us with your presence; assure us of your love that will not let us go; and may your saving power be at work among us and within us, now and at all times. We ask this prayer in the name of your dear Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, whose coming we await, and whose day draws near. Amen. A PRAYER FOR ADVENT SUNDAY Lord our God, on the first day of creation you made the light that scatters all darkness. Let Christ, the light of lights, hidden from all eternity, shine at last on your people and free us from the darkness of sin. Fill our lives with joy as we go out to welcome your Son at his coming. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen. From: The Promise Of His Glory, London 1991, 345 THE BLESSING Look forward in hope to the coming of our Saviour; prepare the way for Christ our Lord; welcome him with love and faith when he comes in glory. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among us, and remain with us always. Amen. |
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