· by Bella Beach

page.headline

Bella Beach, a 17 year old student at Pacific Hills Christian School, reminds us in the midst of our Christmas planning to remember God's master plan.

I don't know about you, but I find it so hard to be present when everything's busy and bustling around me. And I'm just a school kid! I'm just trying to balance the stress and work of starting Year 12, finding a formal dress, learning those songs I'm supposed to learn, and remembering that Christmas is coming up (and I need to somehow come up with money to buy presents for those I love.) And it does feel hard. And stressful. And it's so easy to be absorbed in myself and what I have to do this Christmas.

But, as Common Grace has been talking about in this Advent series, I know that it's important to be present and to remember the true meaning of Christmas. That it's a time to focus on God's master plan that is JESUS.

Jesus. God's master plan that changed the entirety of our human lives - both spiritually and physically. The plan that is our reason for both peace and hope.

In Isaiah 26:1-6, we read all that God has promised us, that is fulfilled in Jesus. We are reminded that God is faithful and a 'sure thing'. He's always present. And whilst we humans can get so caught up in ourselves and our own selfish ways, God always does things right. And not because he has to- but because he wants to. He loves us that much. Through Jesus, God set everything right. Because he loves us.

So Christmas is actually an opportunity for us to pull back from work, school and all the many 'things to do' and to reflect that same 'present-ness' to others, that God shows us all year round.

Because he loves us. Because he loves them.

Bella Beach is a 17 year old student a Pacific Hills Christian School in Dural, Sydney. She is passionate about worship, justice, science and Harry Potter. Image credit: Caleb Frith

Daily Reading Isaiah 26:1-6

1 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:

We have a strong city;
    God makes salvation
    its walls and ramparts.
2 Open the gates
    that the righteous nation may enter,
    the nation that keeps faith.
3 You will keep in perfect peace
    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you.
4 Trust in the Lord forever,
    for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.
5 He humbles those who dwell on high,
    he lays the lofty city low;
he levels it to the ground
    and casts it down to the dust.
6 Feet trample it down—
    the feet of the oppressed,
    the footsteps of the poor.

An Advent series on "Being Present"

· by

A Mantle of Peace

Our CEO, Scott Sanders introduces our "Being Present" Advent series with a reflection from Isaiah on what it means to pursue peace during this season.

· by

Making Space

Shane Fenwick, a Case Manager with Mission Australia and postgraduate theological student, reflects on his time in Jerusalem and the importance of making space for others this Christmas.

· by Bella Beach

Remembering God's Master Plan

Bella Beach, a 17 year old student at Pacific Hills Christian School, reminds us in the midst of our Christmas planning to remember God's master plan.

· by

Then I remembered it was Advent

Waka Waka woman and Common Grace's Aboriginal Spokesperson, Brooke Prentis, exchanges the bitterness of 2016 for God's hope and love this Advent, and invites us all to do likewise

· by

Being present with the persecuted

Mike Gore, CEO of Open Doors Australia, invites us to be present with the persecuted church and challenges us to share the most precious gift we have.

· by

Heralding Unconventional Truths

Tim Costello from World Vision Australia, reflects on how we can learn from John the Baptist, and become non-conforming heralds of an unconventional, gracious and present God.

· by

Waiting for Dawn

Byron Smith - Ecological Ethicist and Anglican Assistant Minister - reflects on his battle with cancer, the fear that accompanies living in the shadow of death, and God's peace that breaks with the dawn.

· by

Present in His Presence

Susan Sohn - Host of GetRealLive Radio and the co-host of Real Talk Radio - reflects on her year of discovering the presence of God in quietness, and the challenges that families face in the Christmas season.

· by

The Women of Christmas

Julie McCrossin - journalist, broadcaster and Elder at South Sydney Uniting Church - reflects on the women of Christmas and what we can learn about being open to the incomprehensible; emotionally engaged in the practical; and responsive to our powerful, trinitarian God.

· by

Present in the Mess

Rachel Neary - who works in Community Development and Training at Alice Springs Women's Shelter and is a key member of Common Grace's Domestic and Family Violence Justice Team - writes about being present in the mess of life this Advent.

· by

Love and Mercy Incarnate

Good Samaritan Sister Elizabeth Delaney, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA), reflects on witnessing to the love and mercy of Jesus, the Incarnate Word.

· by

Better Than Batman

Joel Houston, Worship Leader in Hillsong UNITED and Lead Pastor at Hillsong NYC, reflects on Advent, Jesus and Batman.

· by

The Art of Welcome

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artist Safina Stewart, together with Brooke Prentis, contemplates the spiritual art of welcome this advent.

· by

Present at the Birth

River Bennett & Bel Pangburn - birth photographers at 'The First Hello' - reflect on being present to the wonder of the night when Jesus was born.

· by

Simeon's Cry

Jarrod McKenna, the Teaching Pastor at Westcity Church and Co-Founder of First Home Project, reflects on the agony and the holiness of real hope this Christmas.

· by

Born in our Hearts

Father Shenouda Mansour - General Secretary for the NSW Ecumenical Council, and a Priest in the Coptic Orthodox Church - considers our common calling to live a life of grace, as Christ is born in our hearts.

· by

Present, But Not Home

Tamie Davis - a missionary in Tanzania with CMS Australia, partnering with the Tanzanian Fellowship of Evangelical students - reflects on the heartache of being away from her Aussie homeland at Christmas, and determines to be truly present in her Tanzanian community.

· by Marcello

Stars

Marcello is a 24 year old member of Westcity Church in Perth. Before he had to flee his home in Iran, he was a champion Greco-Roman wrestler. He prays he might help other people and show them Jesus.

· by

Good News for All

Kylie Beach, Common Grace's Communications Director, closes our Advent Series with a celebration of Christ's birth as good news for all. Even animals.