Sandyknowes Blog

Living beside the busiest roundabout in Northern Ireland gives plenty of opportunity for watching the world go by. Sandyknowes Blog is the personal blog of Niall Lockhart (minister of Ballyhenry). Pull in and have a read…

The word ‘Advent’ refers to the season of the year when Christians look forward to the birth of Jesus. This year it runs from 29th November (‘the first Sunday in Advent’) through to 24th December (Christmas Eve).

Advent is to do with getting ready, being prepared, looking forward, anticipating Christmas. Between now and Christmas we are hoping to engage in ‘An Advent Journey’ of daily readings and reflections for this season.

‘The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.’ (Luke 24 vs 46-47)

‘While they were still talking about this, Jesus Himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ (Luke 24 vs 36)

The disciples were in bits. Their whole lives had collapsed down around them. It was about three years since each of them had first met Jesus and heard His call ‘Follow me.’ They had left their work, left their families, left their home towns and followed. It had been a time in their lives like no other, ups downs, moments of faith, times of confusion, but always Jesus was with them. 

Daily Words - Our Lord

‘Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Philippians 2 vs 9-11 NIV)

We’ve friends who recently had a baby, and when that news comes through often the first question is ‘Any names?’ Names are important. Sometimes people pick a name because they like it and sometimes a name is picked because it means something. 

In Matthew 1 the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. He told him that his fiancé Mary was going to have a baby and He hold him what name he was to give the child.

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