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[Transcript of video]
My name is Rev Elder Maxwell Reay, and I am delighted to be sharing with you all in this time of advent.
I am in Edinburgh Scotland, and I bring you greetings from the Council of Elders.
I also bring you greetings from my local congregation in Edinburgh, Augustine United Church and The Our Tribe LGBTQI+ ministry.
Philippians 4:4-5
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
Luke 3:11
In reply he said to them, ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.’
Advent is
A time of waiting.
A time of reflection.
A time of anticipation for what is to come.
We know the story of Christ’s birth.
Born in a stable, nothing grand or glamorous.
But born with Hope
Hope that will help us transform our world.
Hope that will strengthen us to challenge the systems and structures that oppress.
Some of us will have waited and celebrated this gift of life many times.
But for others this will be the first time.
Let this season of Advent be a true reminder that we are all made in the diversity that is the image of God.
A God who was revealed to us a baby – vulnerable but strong enough to survive in the most challenging and difficult time.
We are all:
Beautiful, Diverse, Creative and Complex.
A myriad of Genders, Ages, Faiths, Colours, Sexualities, Races, Voices and Abilities.
Each of us born into a place and time that we did not choose but was given by God.
Like the baby Jesus born into a place and time that was given by God.
We make our way in the world with God, knowingly or unknowingly.
A God that knows, celebrates, and unconditionally loves each of one of us - no matter who or where we are.
Jesus come shake us and remake us so:
that we too can focus our attention on the value of all that is other
That we would learn to always share our coats and food with those who need them.
That the gentleness our actions will have impact.
Jesus is indeed near.
Preparations have begun
The excitement is building.
We ask God to:
Give us what we need to acknowledge the times when get it wrong.
When our coats seem too comfortable to share.
When the food we have is too delicious to give away.
When we are not as gentle as we should be on ourselves and others.
We ask God to:
Give us the strength and humility to work to make this right.
Let this advent be a time when we bring together our hopes and dreams of a truly intersectional community.
Where our diversity is the coat, we share.
Where our diversity is the food, we offer.
Where our gentleness is channeled to challenge individuals, systems and structures that continue to perpetuate racism, sexism, agism, transphobia, homophobia, bi phobia, discrimination based on abilities or class.
Where our gentleness creates a pathway for healing and reconciliation.
Let us pray:
Holy loving Creator God.
As we journey with you through Advent.
Continue to be our guide and source of all that we need.
Open our hearts to all that you offer us each day.
Make it possible for us all share our coats, our food and our gentleness as a symbol of our unconditional and affirming love.
Make it possible for all of us to knowing in our hearts that we can be one together.
Shake us and remake so that every day is a new day with you.
Amen.
PRAYER SUBMITTED BY:
Rev. Elder Maxwell Reay
MCC Council of Elders
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