Leader : Suzanne Nockels Where wil you be at Christmas, will you be at home or away visiting, who will you be with? Sometimes visits are not good and we come away wishing we had never gone, other times we get so much from the visit we could have stayed longer. We give of ourelves when we visit and we receive from who we are visiting.
Luke 1 Mary went to visit her cousin Elisabeth when both were pregnant and both benefited from the visit : Mary received love and affection, assurance that Elizabeth believed in the miracle of her baby, Elizabeth, the older woman received comfort to be told that God was with her, Mary sang a song that has been passed down through generations,The Magnificat Luke 1 v 46. Mary was not the meek and mild girl so often shown, she was courageous she travelled 70 miles over difficult terrain to visit Elizabeth, she voiced her opinion, she went with Joseph to Egypt on a donkey, she gave birth in a stable and she accepted the praise of all who came to see her baby but most importantly she was chosen by God to have the baby
We are all weary because of things that have taken place recently and we are ready to enjoy carols and visiting and receiving visitors and to receive emotional support as well as give of ourselves to anyone who needs us. We have hopes will you ask anyone you meet what are their hopes for the future
We heard from Bernie who told us about the charity Maher which we are supporting this year It was founded by a catholic nun who originally opened one home in India to help women there are now 45 homes helping women and children some are mentally disadvantaged, some very elderly, abused, or destitute all being helped to look to the future when they leave Maher.