Kirk Reflections 14th December 2025.
Revd. Frank Ribbons brings this week's reflection from Kirkliston Parish Church, Scotland.
Advent: Joy
Out theme is a properly Christmas one as we are in the season of Advent and this is the third Sunday of Advent. Advent has been the Church’s time for anticipating our celebration of the birth of Jesus. The usual themes include looking at the Old Testament forbears of Jesus, the prophetic announcements, the role of John the Baptist, the person of Mary, mother of Jesus.
More commonly now the themes of hope, peace, joy and love feature in the four Sundays of Advent.
consider the implications of the birth of Jesus. We look at this from a fairly theological perspective, under the heading “The Incarnation”. Please don’t worry that it will all be too abstract and above our heads. The birth of Jesus is a practical and wonderful event. It may surprise you however to know that we will look at Ephesians Chapter 1 verses 15 to 23. This is a great passage which certainly contains elements for the themes of hope, peace, joy and love, and much more besides. It also connects wonderfully with the birth of Jesus and God’s chosen way of working His will in our world.
