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Sunday Worship: 23/12/2012

23/12/2012

BBC Radio 4 - Sunday Worship, 23/12/2012

Advent Expectations: From the Chapel of Unity, Methodist College, Belfast.

Advent Expectations - Expectant Mothers: Worship from the Chapel of Unity, Methodist College, Belfast. With preachers the Rev Dr Richard Clutterbuck and the Rev Diane Clutterbuck.

Advent Expectations- 'Expectant Mothers' is the theme of worship from the Chapel of Unity, Methodist College, Belfast. The service is led by the College Chaplain, the Rev David Neilands. Preacher: The Rev Dr Richard Clutterbuck and the Rev Diane Clutterbuck.
The Chapel Choir is directed by Ruth McCartney. Producer: Bert Tosh Billson.

Advent is a time of expectation. The Biblical texts are filled with anticipation of the coming Messiah, promises of hope for the future, and expectations of the Second Coming of Christ. It's a time that we're called on to question what's expected of us and reflect upon what we can expect from God. As we prepare for Christmas our hearts are filled with expectations, which may or may not be fulfilled. And we are also reminded that God does not show His love for us in the way we expect; rather than making a great and triumphant entry into the world, he comes to us as a tiny, vulnerable child.

At the heart of the Advent story there is a very human moment - a moment where a young woman discovers that she is expecting a child. The image of the expectant mother is both powerful and humbling yet incredibly natural and unaffected. We are also reminded that the that a mother shows to her child can be compared to that which God shows to his children.]

The Gospel Reading (Luke 1.39-25) is an account of Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth. Here two expectant mothers share an intimate moment - but Elizabeth, and John the Baptist within her womb, also reveal something of their expectations for the future. This moment of joy causes Mary to burst forth into song declaring her own expectations for the child she is carrying and for the future of the world.

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