Words of Life: An Enduring LegacySample

Fear to faith – Think on these things.

These might seem like unusual words with which to draw our Advent and Nativity readings to a conclusion, but as we begin to look back over Christmas, and forward to a new year with all its potential, these words seem especially appropriate.

We are called to consider again all that we have learnt or received or heard…and put it into practice. Our faith is at its best when it is outworked in real life, when we put into practice all we have seen, heard, and learnt. These qualities or virtues are crucial to our Christian living. While they are internal qualities, they are outworked in practical living of a disciple of Jesus.

And so today, courtesy of Major Val Mylechreest from the United Kingdom, we are invited to consider these words from Paul in the context of the Nativity story:

Finally, brothers and sisters,
whatever is true – the shepherds,
whatever is noble – the wise men,
whatever is right – the innkeeper,
whatever is pure – Mary,
whatever is lovely – Jesus,
whatever is admirable – Joseph.

If anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things; and the God of peace will be with you.

Heavenly Father, please will you grow each of these virtues in me, so that I may increasingly reflect your glory to those around me, that they may look at me and see Jesus. Amen