25 december

Här kommer en julhälsning från Eva-Lotta & David samt Sumon, Sarah & Shanto med församlingen i London Baptist Church.

Vi tackar Gud att Han vet allt vad som händer i den värld vi lever i. Vi tackar Gud att efter två längre perioder av sociala begränsningar kan vi mötas och fira gudstjänst tillsammans igen i tid att fira jul.

Den första perioden var från mitten på mars till slutet på juni – vi kunde bara vistas utomhus en gång per dygn, för att motionera ensam eller handla mat och medicin. Undantaget var för besök till läkare eller lasarett. Skolorna var stängda samt alla affärer utom där det såldes mat. Kyrkor fick inte öppna för gudstjänster, jag och min man fick sköta det tekniska så att vi kunde dela predikan och bibelstudium via internet. Förutom det första bibelstudiet (när isoleringen startade) fortsatte vi att ha alla gudstjänter och bibelstudier med bara vi två i kyrkan. Vi startade också att läsa ett stycke ur bibeln varje morgon och kväll via internet, det var mycket uppskattat speciellt av de äldre. Jag ringde upp per vanlig telefon till folk som inte har internet och de fick lyssna på det viset. London var en så folktom stad som jag aldrig upplevt sedan jag flyttade hit 1982.

När juli kom blev det lite lättare, alla restauranger som varit stängda fick öppna för leverans eller hämtning av beställd mat. När augusti började fick man äta i restauranger igen, max sex personer från samma hushåll fick sitta tillsammans vid ett bord. Men med ökad smittspridning blev det en till period av isolering på fyra veckor från 5e november till 2a december där allt var igenbommat. Vi fortsatte på samma sätt att dela via internet under den perioden, några få kom varje vecka för att hjälpa till med det tekniska och musiken.

Under juldagen får två hushåll vistas i samma hem, men inga övernattningar får ske. Efter det väntar vi oss en till period av isolering när nyåret kommit. I dessa tider är det många som inte vill följa restriktionerna, men vi kan tacka Gud för att Jesus kom och Han fullgjorde allt som var skrivet i lagen, precis allt så att vi kan få synderna förlåtna och ha en relation till Gud som håller genom livets alla stormar. Den storm vi lever i nu kommer snart att vara över. Vi kan lita på Gud!

Vi ber att Gud’s välsignelse vilar över Er alla, att Gud’s frid får ta rot i alla Era hjärtan denna Jul och med önskan om ett Gladare Nytt 2021.

Eva Lotta Hansson med familj

Luke 2

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

• Dela