St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh
Midweek Devotion 15th December 2022
Led by Rev Douglas A O Nicol
The Psalmist wrote: ‘I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up, and did not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. You have turned my mourning into dancing, you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you for ever.’ (Psalm 30, 1, 2, 11, 12))
Let us worship God.
Scripture Reading
The Gospel reading for today from our Lectionary comes from the Gospel of St. Luke, chapter 7: 24-30.
When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who put on fine clothing and live in luxury are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.”
I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.’ (And all the people who heard this, including the tax-collectors, acknowledged the justice of God, because they had been baptized by John’s baptism. But by refusing to be baptized by him, the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves.)
Reflection:
As we travel together through the Season of Advent 2022 our Gospel reading today reminds us of John the Baptist, the messenger sent from God to announce Jesus’ coming. Pictured in the Gospels as one who ‘wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist’, John must have had a striking presence. But his message was no less striking as he declared that God Himself had become a person in Jesus Christ. The powerful words of a Scottish Paraphrase highlight the significance of Jesus’ life:
The race that long in darkness pined
has seen a glorious light;
the people dwell in day, who dwelt
in death’s surrounding night.
To us a Child of hope is born;
to us a Son is given;
him shall the tribes of earth obey,
him all the hosts of heaven.
His name shall be the Prince of Peace,
for evermore adored;
the Wonderful, the Counsellor,
the great and mighty Lord.
His power increasing still shall spread,
his reign no end shall know:
justice shall guard his throne above,
and peace abound below.
As we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth at the first Christmas may we sense the significance of His coming, and find in His presence peace and joy that will stay with us in the New Year soon to dawn.
Prayer
Let us pray:
God of eternity,
when the voice of the prophet was silent
and the faith of your people low;
when darkness had obscured light
and indifference displaced zeal:
you saw that the time was right,
and prepared to send your Son.
Set us free from fear and faithlessness
that we may be ready to welcome him
who comes as Saviour and Lord.
O God, the creator and preserver of all,
we commend to your generous goodness
all those who are in any way
afflicted or distressed
in mind, body, or circumstances.
Comfort and relieve them
according to their individual needs;
give them patience under their sufferings,
and a happy release out of all their afflictions.
All this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever,
Amen.
Benediction
Look forward in hope
to the coming of your Saviour,
prepare the way for Christ your 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 you and remain with you always,
Amen.
Organ Music
Flor Peeters Aria