Devotion – Rejoice in the Lord

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 4 -7 It is the third week in advent; the third candle on the advent wreath will be lit, bringing with it excitement and a sign that Christmas is coming closer, just in case we have escaped relentless advertising campaigns encouraging us to spend, spend, spend, as if Christmas isn’t Christmas unless a lot of money changes hands.Christmas cards, another sign of Christmas festivities, have begun to arrive declaring, amongst other things, messages of joy and peace for the Christmas season. Frantic preparations for Christmas seem at odds with these messages and it is becoming more and more difficult to see Jesus at the centre of this once a year focus on his birth.However, in our hearts is the knowledge that we celebrate at all times, as well as at Christmas because our Lord is always with us, bringing a particular peace into our hearts. It is not just the peace that is the absence of war; it is not just the peace that is the opposite of anxiety. It is a peace that is beyond anything we can understand because it is the peace that comes to us through the love and care of God, brought to life through the birth of a tiny child. This is the tranquil peace of those who are loved and the peace of forgiveness, no matter how undeserved it may be. There is much to rejoice, not just at Christmas, but always.Heavenly Father, may I experience the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding this Christmas season. Amen.

Prayer Points

• We pray for the Year 6 students and their families as their time at SCS has come to a close and they prepare for secondary school
• We pray for those students and families who have moved house and are going to new schools next year
• We pray for the new Prep students as they prepare to begin their journey at SCS
• We pray for a safe and blessed Christmas for all our families

Micah Award

To Amber for always striving for the highest quality of work

CCC Award

To Darcy for displaying outstanding citizenship and compassion this year

Isabel Bell Award

To Miriam for displaying outstanding Christian character this year