"A Child is Born for Us"
ADVENT 2021
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
(The Magnificat, Luke 1:46b-56)
Restorer of Life and Nourisher of Old Age (Ruth 4:15)
"Blessed Be the LORD Who Has Not Left You This Day Without Next-of-Kin"
Part One – The Long Awaited Child in the Hebrew Bible
In this presentation, Jessie looks at a number of different stories in which barrenness which gives way to the birth of a child, stories that find particular resonance with the births of Jesus and John as told by Luke. Texts engaged with: Genesis 16; 17:17; 18:12; 21:6-7; 25:19-26; 30:1-24; Judges 13; 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11; Ruth 1-4.
"The Whole Creation Has Been
Groaning in Labor Pains"
Part Two – The Birth of a Child: Crisis & Hope
In this presentation, Jessie reflects on the theological understanding of the significance of birth, and how the birth of a child is used as a metaphor for hope in times of crisis. Texts engaged with: Genesis 35:16-18; Isaiah 42:13-16; Micah 5:2-4; Romans 8:22-25; Revelations 12:1-2.
This Happened to Fulfill the Scriptures (Matthew 1-2)
"Jesus the Messiah, the Son of David,
the Son of Abraham"
Part One – "Christmas Culture" & Nourishing Easter Faith
In this presentation, Seán explores, in contrast to today's Christmas culture, how the evangelists wrote from reflections on the Easter event. Matthew's context and infancy narrative, in particular the genealogy of 1:1-17, showcase not only an understanding of Jesus, but how God has been at work throughout history.
"Out of Egypt, I Have Called My Son"
Let Us Go Now to Bethlehem (Luke 1-2)
"He Will Be Great, and He Will Be Called
Son of the Most High "
Part One – What Is Luke Up To?
In this presentation, Kieran looks at the infancy narrative in Luke 1-2 noting how its various elements work to provide a reader with an understanding of who Jesus is.
"To You is Born This Day in the City of David
a Savior, Who is the Messiah, the Lord."
Part Two – The Christmas Gospels
In this presentation, Kieran closely reads and comments on the text of Luke 2:1-20, a text which is used for the midnight mass and dawn mass on Christmas Day.
Webinar Recordings
Webinar One – Panel Discussion
(8th December 2021)
Webinar Two – Meditation
(15th December 2021)