Second Sunday of Christmas Year A 4th January 2026
Lectionary Readings: ; Psalm 147 v12-20; Ephesians 1 v3-14; John 1 v1-18.
Gathered, blessed and sent.
This week’s readings reflect on the promises of God.
In the passage from Jeremiah, the Lord says; “Listen to me you nations nearby or across the sea. I scattered the people of Israel, but I will gather them again. I will protect them like a shepherd guarding a flock.” (Jeremiah 31 v10)
Paul writing in the letter to the Ephesians, echoes this theme as he writes, “Then when the time is right, God will do all that he has planned, and Christ will bring together everything in heaven and on earth.” (Ephesians 1 v10)
Both writers are convinced that God will bring creation back to it’s original designed state. We are to be reconciled with God and gathered into His kingdom. A realm where we humans will live in harmony with each other and with our creator God; caring, with him, for all other creatures and for our planet.
John, in the opening to his gospel speaks in praise of the Word. “The Word became a human being and lived here with us. We saw his true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. From him all the kindness and all the truth of God have come down to us.” (John 1 v14)
God has revealed his love for us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. (God’s plan for creation will not be derailed by the actions of those who pervert justice and seek to maintain power by the use of force.) God has made it possible for us to be reconciled with him through Jesus.
God promised Abraham that his descendents would be the means of blessing many nations. (see Genesis 12 v3b)
We have inherited this calling. God has blessed us with the gift of his Spirit, which enables us to be partners with the risen Lord in spreading the good news of God’s love for us. We have been blessed in order to be a blessing to others.
God has kept his promises to us. We have been gathered into God’s family, blessed with his Spirit and sent out into our communities to tells others of God’s love.
The hymn writer, Hugh Sherlock, reflects on the calling of the church:
Lord, thy church on earth is seeking thy renewal from above;
Teach us all the art of speaking with the accent of thy love.
We would heed thy great commission: Go ye into every place-
Preach, baptize, fulfil my mission, serve with love and share my grace.
Freedom give to those in bondage, lift the burdens caused by sin.
Give new hope, new strength and courage, grant release from fears within:
Light for darkness; joy for sorrow; Love for hatred; peace for strife.
These and countless blessings follow as the Spirit Gives new life.
Bible quotations are taken from the Contemporary English Version.