Arotahi has created a prayer guide with daily readings for the season of Advent (1 December to 6 January) – download the PDF here. Each week of daily readings will arrive on Baptist NZ on Fridays. In this article, Sunday 8 December – Saturday 24 December. View other weeks here:
Sunday 1 December – Saturday 7 December
Below are a mixture of stories and reflections from Arotahi people and partners from around the world. As we read these, may we become more aware of the glimpses of hope, peace, joy and love that are springing up through people, places and land. As well, we anticipate the fullness of God’s promises for our world.
Join us in prayer this season of Advent.
From the Arotahi Team.
Sunday 8 December
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.
Isaiah 11:1-3
Peace
We know the story God,
the shepherds and the angels and the proclamation:
‘Peace on Earth’.
But on the news tonight
another bomb
and lying words to mask the blame.
While on the street
or in the house next door are voices raised in hate - a bottle smashed,
the glint of knives.
We want to help,
but in the treadmill of our days there is not even time
to calm the noise inside our heads.
Come nearer, God,
and grant to us new life and love
as we pursue your peace on earth...one person at a time.
Light a candle of hope and peace to proclaim that God’s light is coming into our darkness.
Peace! Is there any message we long so much to hear? Every day we experience brokenness in our world: painful personal relationships, strife within our country, war and mistrust. This Advent, may Christ draw near to us, so that we may draw near to one another.
Mark Pierson
Worship Curator | markpierson.org.nz
Monday 9 December
As I imagine the cool breeze of winter sweeping through the lush landscapes of Tripura, I am reminded of the beauty and serenity this season brings to the otherwise hot and humid region. Winter in Tripura is not just a change in weather; it is a time when the state comes alive as people from all walks of life come together to celebrate the season.
In this beautiful time of year, Christian brothers and sisters add a unique charm to the season. Streets in different parts of Tripura resonate with the sounds of carols, sung in indigenous languages, sometimes accompanied by traditional dances. These vibrant rallies not only announce the joyous message of Christmas but also bring communities together in love and unity.
As I write this from my not-so-spacious room in UTC, Bangalore – I miss Tripura. Tripura is the place that God has put on my heart, and where God has allowed me to witness and participate in God’s ever-enabling, ever-abiding, ever-surprising movement!
Let me also add that in recent times, some Christians in Tripura have faced intimidation during their Christmas celebrations. Despite these challenges, the spirit of Christmas grows stronger across the state. More and more people are coming together to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, spreading the message of peace, hope, and love. As we reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, let us be inspired by the words of the Bible:
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11
This verse reminds us of the gift we have received in Jesus Christ. Let us carry this message in our hearts and share it with others, bringing light and warmth to all those around us. May this winter and Christmas season be a time of blessings, peace, and happiness for you, and for all God’s beloved in Tripura.
Samuel
Theology Doctorate Student
Tuesday 10 December
I answered,“Sir, you know.”
And he said,“These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore,
“they are before the throne of God
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne
will shelter them with his presence.
‘Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,’
nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the center of the throne
will be their shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’
‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Revelations 7:9-17
Our very first mission as a collective of NZ Baptist churches was with Māori. While we have supported Baptist Māori missional initiatives before, until recently, we hadn’t turned to face Māori once again and ask,“how we can support, encourage and partner with Māori for a new missional expression?”
This year was the second year in a pilot scheme of mission, that is by Māori, for Māori, through Māori kaupapa. We called this Mahi-Pai and began with work in the Motueka area with Motueka Baptist.
In this season of Advent, there is a sense of anticipation. We long for more. For more justice, peace, joy, transformation, good… for all people, all places and for the land. Christ invites us into true partnership with one and other. Many times, we fall short of this invitation. As we pray together, ask: how is God inviting you towards justice in the place you find yourself?
Wednesday 11 December
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them,“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
Luke 2:8-18
Being a shepherd was not a glamorous job. It was a dirty, tiring job. Shepherds were considered unclean, and so untrustworthy that they weren’t allowed to be witnesses in a court of law.
And yet, shepherds were some of the first who were told about the birth of Christ. What does this tell us about the good news of the Christmas story? It’s this revolutionary, up-side down narrative. It didn’t fit in with the cultural or societal norms of that day.
The gospel of Luke tells us that after they saw Jesus in the manger, they went off spreading the word. All who heard were amazed. God used the least expected to bring transformation - to their lives, to their communities and beyond.
There’s a challenge in here. Sometimes I look for God in the ways that I expect. But God is at work in all places, and in all people around the world. And that can look really different than what I expect. How can I be curious and learn to see God in the unexpected?
Grace Le Heux
Arotahi Liturgy & Event Support
Thursday 12 December
Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
Psalm 96:1-3
Rebecca (Arotahi Student Sponsorship Coordinator) shares two
testimonies of former students:
Tutul (now 20yrs)
“When I studied in the hostel, I got to know God through singing, prayer and reading the Bible every day. I learned to be obedient and devoted to God.
My future plan is to help people in the same way that I have been helped and help the people who are in problems. I want to give my life for the kingdom of God. I also want to play a role in my church.”
Tama Das (14yrs)
“My parents died when I was 4 years old. I lived with my brother. My brother struggled a lot with the family expenses.
There is one church in our village. The pastor told my brother to send me to a hostel. At the hostel, besides studying, I learned a lot about the Bible. I have personally decided to accept Jesus as the Saviour of my life. All of my family were Hindu.
My goal in life is to work in law enforcement to help others. I believe God is guiding me, directing me towards his goal.”
Praise God! God is at work.
Let's pray that these children may know the freedom that comes with knowing Jesus.
May they start new pathways and break old cycles.
May they be courageous as they sow into the future of their country and shine brightly for Christ.
Friday 13 December
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because
what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Matthew 1:18-23
I have a bit of a thing for reality TV. Mostly the dating shows, because I am just so intrigued by what people are wanting in a relationship and how they think that is achieved. The huge expectations seem to sometimes sabotage what has the potential to be a good thing.
It makes me think about Joseph in the Advent scenario. There he is thinking he has the perfect woman, only to find out she’s pregnant and he knows it wasn’t him! He has every reason to walk away. The situation is super confusing, and I imagine feels pretty heartbreaking.
The fact that he gets a dream to tell him God says all is ok and to go ahead doesn’t deal with all the challenges he’s facing here. Joseph doesn’t get much profile in the Bible, but you have to say, he’s a key character. He’s the one who gets to be the ‘father on the ground’ to the King of Kings, not that he has any understanding of what that is all about in his lifetime.
There’s a HUGE leap of faith for him. Faith in his God, and in Mary. I will never forget the time when our third child, who was 2 weeks old, lay in a hospital incubator and was not expected to live. God asked me to take a huge leap of faith and believe that he was still the God of love and power, even though my baby would die. He was asking me to look
beyond what was in front of me. Taking that leap was like jumping off a cliff, but straight into the arms of God. I experienced His love in a way I can’t explain.
Our God
Sometimes you ask a lot of us.
You ask us to trust You when what is in front us looks like you have deserted us.
You ask us to keep our hand in Yours and lean into You.
Help us in our frailty.
Help us in our doubt.
Give us courage and faith in Jesus name.
Amen.
Ruby Duncan
Mission Council
Saturday 14 December
The second week of Advent has passed.
In this Sunday to Saturday waiting
There have been left wing marches in the evening,
Right wing marches in the morning,
And certitude that breaks us
Or those around us,
Before it breaks itself.
Moral certitude that demonizes.
Economic certitude that denies.
Theological certitude that dogmatizes.
And yet, in this Advent waiting,
I am reminded that creation is not saved by our own certitude
Or how rigidly we march for it.
Instead, we are liberated by
God embodied as a baby
Into a place where very little was certain.
What then is certain about Advent?
God will come.
Hosanna!
God will be with us.
Emmanuel!
God will amend our certitude.
Let justice roll.
God will embrace the vulnerable,
And there will be room for God’s glory,
And our uncertainty
And God’s stability
And our epiphanies.
Amen
Lizzie
Loyal Workshop
Image: From the cover of Arotahi Daily Advent Readings 2024 PDF
