Spirit lead on

Jo Penn December 15, 2018 0 0

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Luke 4: 14-21

14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

18 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
    and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19     to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’

20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’

What makes a Hungarian Christmas? – Nusi and Viktor from the Scargill Community tell us:

Discussions amongst our fellow Hungarian Scargill Community members quickly agreed that Christmas had to include the delicious dessert ‘Bejgli’. We all love it! 

‘Bejgli’ is a yeasted, sweetened bread roll, filled with poppy seeds or walnuts, which originated in Austria. It has become a popular food for Hungarian celebrations over the last century or more. The name ‘Bejgli’ derives from the German word “mohnbeugel” which means “poppy seed crescent”. 

On Christmas Eve, we meet together as a family and go to a short Church service where children play music and recite poems. Returning afterwards to our grandparents’ house, we spend time together and eat lots of food. Our celebration dinner is always a rich offering of many mouth-watering dishes and never fails to include Grandmother’s ‘Bejgli’ - the best we’ve ever tasted!

Jo’s prayer:

Jesus – 

You too gathered with God’s people week by week. 

A Sabbath rhythm: 

rest and trust in a faithful God.

Hearing Scriptures read: 

words of life and light, hope and truth,

alternative views in an oppressed world.

Renewing time with friends and family, 

telling stories and weaving the thread

of shared lives through the years.

So Jesus,

as we meet this Christmas time, 

we give thanks for those we are gathered among.

We tell tales of God’s goodness, 

we sing songs of His love.

We eat well, embrace life, say ‘yes’ to its blessing.

Honour old, young and all in Your name.

Yet, let us not forget the poor and the prisoners,

the blind and down-trodden,

for God’s move for freedom is proclaimed once again

in this birth of a Saviour.

So, in our actions and words, 

in our welcome and seeing,

enfolding and being,

may Your love be seen.

Spirit lead on, Spirit lead out,

Your power is needed,

Come fill us once more.