1. A reflection for Christmas

2. In the days of the Judges, God’s story unfolded through the lives of a foreigner, Ruth, her mother-in-law Naomi and a man named Boaz It was this simple story of faithfulness, kindness and provision – not that of the Judges – that changed the world… …for Ruth became the great grandmother of King David and through him the lineage continued down to Jesus

3. In the days of King Herod, God’s story unfolded through the lives of an otherwise unknown priest, Zechariah, his long- barren wife Elizabeth and her young cousin, Mary. It was this story - not Herod’s - that changed the world

4. Both stories centre on Bethlehem “the House of Bread” birthplace of Jesus “the true bread from heaven”

5. God’s ongoing story of love for the world unfolded… not in a palace, but a stable not in the security of privilege, but in flight - as refugees, not amongst the elite, but amongst the ordinary

6. Jesus, the living bread, insisted that God’s Kingdom is known in the everyday and understood through yeast and bread-making, through seeds and trees, through sheep and crops, through the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, through feasts and parties, through persistent widows and children playing in the market place

7. And Jesus revealed God’s heart through reckless provision… of bread… and wine… and self-giving love

8. Through the generations God’s story has continued to be told through the lives of ordinary people… God’s Kingdom made known in the everyday miracles of food and shelter, in kindness, faithfulness and provision, in journeys of faith, in joy and celebration, and in sacrificial love

9. This Christmas, and this coming year, may we know God’s Kingdom in the ordinary, and - through our prayers and in our lives - may we seek to be people through whom God’s ongoing story of love for the world continues to unfold

10. Created by Elizabeth Perry for Christian Concern for One World December 2015 Amen