by Maria Rudolph
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Read James 3:1–12
I grew up in Germany, with today being St Nicholas Day. Now, it is my children’s turn to clean their shoes on the eve of 6 December and place them neatly outside their bedroom door. When they awake, they will find small goodies in their shoes - lollies, nuts and gifts. St Nicholas Day is a joyful event of giving and receiving.
Nicholas was the 4th-century bishop of Myra, located in modern-day Türkiye (Turkey). The stories surrounding his generous giving and godly conduct have somehow taken on a life of their own and curiously culminated in the modern-day creation of Santa Claus. While this is a far cry from the original person of Bishop Nicholas, it serves as yet another reminder of God, the giver of all things. St Nicholas is credited with this quote - ‘The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic God’s giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves.’
How blessed we are with godly quotes from him and many other faithful Christians throughout the ages. How blessed we are with Scripture verses full of wisdom said and recorded by the people of old. Yet an observation and warning from St James in his epistle is true for all of them and us - ‘Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be’ (James 3:10). Even well-quoted people do not always use their tongues appropriately.
We already focus on giving gifts and sharing kind actions during this Advent season. But let us also focus on our tongues. Martin Luther instructs us in his Small Catechism on the eighth commandment:
Do not give false testimony. What does this mean? We should honour and love God and so we should not tell lies about other people, give their secrets away, talk about them behind their back, or damage their reputation in any way. Instead, we should speak up for them, say only good things about them, and explain their actions in the kindest way.
It takes effort to use our tongues appropriately, but with a focus on the giver of every good and perfect gift, we are on the right track. Let us all challenge ourselves to take note of our tongue and pray daily that we may use it solely for blessing.
Holy Spirit, living water, we need your help and guidance. We do not want to be a spring from which fresh and saltwater flow simultaneously. But we trip up and fail. Fill us with your living water so our cup overflows into our lives and the people around us from the spring of life inside us. Store the fruit of your Spirit in our hearts abundantly, so our mouth speaks of what our hearts are full of. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Maria is overjoyed to be a candidate for ordination as a pastor of the LCANZ while serving the St Johns Perth congregation and supporting the ministry of her pastor husband, Michael, at Concordia Duncraig congregation in Western Australia. They are parents to three children who are busy with primary and secondary schooling. Maria also serves the church as a member of the Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations.
Servant leadership
by Tania Nelson
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Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet (John 13:14).
Read John 13:12–20
Many books, journal articles and leadership development programs have been written about leadership styles. These authors often propose certain leadership traits or styles for particular situations. Does the company or team need a transformational leader, a strategic leader, an authentic or moral leader, or perhaps even a sustainable leader? We’re quick to discredit authoritarian leaders, as well as those with poor managerial skills. We love permission-giving leaders – if they permit the right things, that is, what I want!
The way of Jesus is different. Jesus’ leadership is countercultural. It is the way of foot washing, of servanthood, of shepherding. Jesus set us an example, not only when he washed the disciples’ feet, but throughout his ministry on Earth. Jesus was the true servant leader.
What could our servant leadership look like, sound like and feel like as followers of Jesus? Perhaps it looks like helping, without expectation of reward or even anyone’s notice. Perhaps it sounds like the stacking of chairs and the washing of dishes in a community centre. Perhaps it feels like kind and gentle encouragement to a harassed parent.
The servant leader’s core values determine their attitudes and actions. What the servant leader truly believes and holds in their heart often manifests itself in their behaviour. The Christian servant leader is a follower of Jesus. We love because Jesus first loved us. Jesus has given us his Spirit, who helps us to love and serve. And as we serve, we find that we are abundantly blessed, too!
Dear Jesus, I praise you for saving me. Fill me with your Spirit so that I can serve others as you serve me. Amen.
Tania is the ministry lead at Mawson Lakes Community Church in suburban Adelaide and is a pastoral ministry student at Australian Lutheran College. Tania loves taking beach walks with her husband, David, spending time with her family and friends, and reading. Sometimes she is blessed to experience all three of these joys at her family shack on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula.
Reflecting the love of a generous and merciful God
by Tania Nelson
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me (Mark 9:37a).
Read Mark 9:37–41
I recall hearing the phrase ‘Children should be seen and not heard’ in my childhood. Perhaps the saying was directed to me, as I certainly had a tendency to talk a lot in school … and possibly haven’t outgrown that tendency! Praise God that we have a Saviour who loves children, welcomes them with open arms, listens to them and blesses them.
I love imagining Jesus with a child in his arms or a child on his lap. I picture a smile on Jesus’ face and love in his eyes as he takes the time to talk to the child. I imagine that the child is smiling too, perhaps laughing and feeling secure in the love and attention generously given.
The Bible has numerous stories and commands across both the Old and New Testaments to care for vulnerable people, including children. God’s people are to care for the poor, the homeless, the widows, the sick, victims of injustice, migrants and refugees. The LCA’s document God’s Love – Our Care, which outlines the theology underpinning the practice of Lutheran care, reminds us, ‘It is natural to show special care to one’s relatives, friends and fellow believers, but Christlike compassion reaches out beyond all ethnic, social and religious barriers, even includes enemies, and expects nothing in return.’
Our Lord said that when we welcome children in Jesus’ name, we are welcoming our Heavenly Father. May we be welcoming to children – and vulnerable people too – and may we reflect the love of our generous and merciful God.
Heavenly Father, I desire that you be known throughout the world. Help me to make you known as I show kindness and mercy in Jesus’ name to the people around me, including children, the vulnerable and the marginalised in society. May I reflect your love in my words and actions. Amen.
Tania is the ministry lead at Mawson Lakes Community Church in suburban Adelaide and is a pastoral ministry student at Australian Lutheran College. Tania loves taking beach walks with her husband, David, spending time with her family and friends, and reading. Sometimes she is blessed to experience all three of these joys at her family shack on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula.
Sharing Jesus – welcoming the Father
by Tania Nelson
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me (Matthew 10:40).
Read Matthew 10:40–42
Today’s reading comes immediately after Jesus’ sending out of the Twelve in mission to preach, heal and bless. The disciples were instructed to ‘Go … to the lost sheep of Israel’ to proclaim that ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near’ (Matthew 10:6,7b).
We, too, are sent to tell our friends, family, neighbours and colleagues of the wonderful deeds of the one who has sent us. How do we do this? We certainly don’t need to get the whole gospel out in one conversation. Neither do we need to get into a debate about creation and evolution or something like that. That’s not the way to go, at least not initially.
The late US theologian, Pastor Timothy Keller, spoke of keeping it simple. He suggested to:
- Let people know you go to church.
- Let people know you’re a Christian and that it means something to you.
So, when you let four people know you’re going to church this coming weekend, perhaps one will come back to you and ask about why you go. When you share those things – that you go to church and that your faith is meaningful to you – with the people you meet along the way, it may organically lead to more extensive, in-depth kinds of discussions.
You may be welcomed, because you shared the reason for the hope you have in Jesus, with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). And when you are welcomed, your Father in heaven is welcomed too.
Lord, you sent the Twelve to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is near. Help me to share the hope I have in you with my friends, family and neighbours, for I know that you died for me and have given me eternal life. Amen.
Tania is the ministry lead at Mawson Lakes Community Church in suburban Adelaide and is a pastoral ministry student at Australian Lutheran College. Tania loves taking beach walks with her husband, David, spending time with her family and friends, and reading. Sometimes she is blessed to experience all three of these joys at her family shack on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula.