Week Four

The last straw: Love

When it comes down to it. When it comes right down to it. The last straw is love. This Christmas whatever we’re facing, whatever pressures are mounting, whatever strains we’re under we know that we face them with Jesus, the last straw. To pick up our metaphor from the theme introduction, the incarnation could be the start of thatch making — the last straw needed to begin weaving together a new shelter, a new home with peace, love and faith.

As this final week of our theme falls over the Christmas period it’s possible that those who have been working through the material on a weekly basis in a group might not meet in the same way. With that in mind the questions this week have an especially reflective emphasis to lend themselves to individual use, but they would absolutely also work for a contemplative group study, whatever suits you.

SEEDS TO SOW: What song are you inspired to sing this Advent?

Read Luke 2: 1-7

And so finally we join Mary at the last straw of her labour as she gives birth to the Son of God. Picture the manger where Jesus was laid, the smell of the straw, the sounds of the night.

What does it mean for our faith that our Messiah was placed in a simple makeshift bed and not plush palace?

Read Luke 2: 8-20

The shepherds’ last straw… At wit’s end the bamboozled shepherds realise they’ve been headhunted as heralds of heaven.

Is it possible that we too are being headhunted as heralds of heaven, but we miss it because we’re too distracted?

Read Psalm 96

How are you rejoicing this Christmas to allow others who don’t have faith to participate in the joy?

We should be less critical of people without faith who are celebrating Christmas, because in the very act of celebration they can discover grace and unpack meanings.

How can our praise draw others who are celebrating into the ongoing celebration of our discipleship following Jesus?