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.
© 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.