The prophet Anna was also there in the temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. In her youth she had been married for seven years, but her husband had died. And now she was eighty-four years old. Night and day she served God in the temple by praying and often going without eating. At that time Anna came in and praised God. She spoke about the child Jesus to everyone who hoped for Jerusalem to be set free.
Luke 2: 36 – 38

Reflect on the word AGEING for a few moments.

Anna was a prophetess, widowed at a young age. At 84 years she was a committed worker in the temple to which the young boy Jesus was brought by his parents. Anna, one of the very few women named in the Bible, prophesies that Jerusalem will be set free, because of the birth of Jesus.

Different cultures recognize ageing as a time of wisdom, respect and the time for passing on beliefs and history to the next generation. Today, consumerism uses ageing as a profitable market for selling anti-ageing products. Loss of youth is portrayed as a loss in image; changes in appearance are seen as a loss in identity; change in reproductive functions is portrayed as a loss of sexuality; change in economic status is portrayed as a loss of independence.

Ageing is a natural process of life. It celebrates remembrance, wisdom and maturity. Age did not determine Anna’s response to God or limit her obedience. Age enhanced her commitment and her faith. It gave her the wisdom to recognize the child Jesus and the freedom to declare her perceptions to all who would listen.

God of the young and the aged, teach me to respect and value each stage of my life’s journey.

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© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera

For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.

When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.

The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.

Announce to the nations, “The LORD is King!
The world stands firm, never to be shaken,
And he will judge its people with fairness.”
Tell the heavens and the earth to be glad and celebrate!
Command the ocean to roar with all of their creatures
And the fields to rejoice with all of its crops.
Then every tree in the forest
Will sing joyful songs to the LORD.
He is coming to judge all people on earth
With fairness and truth.
Psalm 96: 10-13

Reflect on the word ANTICIPATION for a few moments.

There always seems to be something special in the air the days before Christmas.
Children are too excited to go to bed. Parents are rushing to complete unfinished tasks.

People are frantic with last-minute shopping. The sounds and songs of Christmas fill the air on busy streets and secluded homes.

Anticipating Christmas day is anticipating celebration! What signs of anticipation color this time for you? What memories from the past surface as you anticipate the next few days?

• LISTEN to the song of the birds calling
• SENSE the winds blowing through bush and tall grasses
• FEEL the movement of the rivers and the seas as planet earth moves to the rhythms of creation.
• IMAGINE yourself waiting with anticipation when you read the words of the Psalmist.

The Psalmist celebrates God. It is not a private, personal celebration. It overflows and spills into all of Creation! A human celebration caught in the exuberance of Creation’s celebration! Our God is indeed here!

God of all our celebrations, let me also overflow with gladness and rejoicing that surrounded the birth of Jesus.

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© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera

For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.

When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.

The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.

Our LORD, I will remember the things you have done,
Your miracles of long ago.
I will think about each one of your mighty deeds.
Everything you do is right,
And no other god compares with you.
You alone work miracles,
And you have let nations see your mighty power.
Psalm 77: 11-14

Reflect on the word REMEMBERING for a few moments.

Today’s Christmas cards lay unopened as she looked around the room. She thought of her family and friends who had sent her cards. Each card reminding her of friendships or family occasions:
Wendy’s photograph of her new house – she had never been to it yet.
Alex and Mandy’s enclosed newsletter sharing happy moments from their overseas holiday – she had never liked newsletters much.
Rosemary – her niece- sending mushy words and a childish colouring reminding her of times when she baby-sat – she had never had a baby of her own.

Christmas is always difficult for her. Pushing herself to look happy, wearing silly caps, overeating to please her hosts who feel that she shouldn’t be alone on Christmas day.
Finally returning to her flat and shutting out the world.

She picks up the unopened cards and checks the senders’ names. There it was – the card and enclosure she waits for every year. She sits down and opens it as she recalls the Gospel stories she reads at this time of year, when she is alone.

She reads this year’s reflection written by her friend. She sits quietly and remembers.

God of the Christ-Child and my God, thank you for the Bible and its record of the birth of Jesus.

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© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera

For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.

When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.

The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.

About that time Emperor Augustus gave orders for the names of all the people to be listed in record books. These first records were made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to go to their own hometown to be listed. So Joseph had to leave Nazareth in Galilee and go to Bethlehem in Judea. Long ago Bethlehem had been King David’s hometown and Joseph went there because he was David’s family.

Mary was engaged to Joseph and travelled with him to Bethlehem. She was soon going to have a baby, and while they were there, she gave birth to her first-born son. She dressed him in baby clothes and laid him on a bed of hay, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2: 1-7

Reflect on the word INCARNATION for a few moments.

Soon Christians will celebrate the day when God took the initiative to enter the human race in the form of a baby named Jesus. Incarnation happened when the Divine took on all the attributes of being human, in the life of Jesus. God ceases to be distant and becomes a presence in the world.

We hear sermons about an Incarnate God. We’ve read the words. We sing the words. We become filled with excitement as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Do we pause long enough to sense God’s presence when we see a social worker giving a child a toy as his mother watches in tears; an elderly person helping someone in need; a bruised child in a school yard sharing lunch with another; a blanket being placed over a homeless person on a winter night; a son visiting a mother in an aged care facility.

Does Incarnation become a process that is up close and personal? Or an event celebrated once a year in cathedrals, churches and Christian gatherings?

God in Christ is with us just as we are and where ever we are.

Incarnate God, whether I always recognize your presence or not, I know that I can see you in the life of Jesus. Thank you

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© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera

For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.

When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.

The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.