Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.” (Mark 6. 4)

Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.” (Mark 6. 4)

It is those who are closest to us who often find it most difficult to hear. What comes down to us in later years as ‘the wisdom of the ages’ is often regarded as odd, marginal or offensive at the time it is delivered. Advocating ‘business as usual’ is reassuring. The metanoia of the gospels – turning round and going in a different direction charted by risky things like peacemaking and resource sharing – involves allowing our lives to change and be changed. At this time, we also remember the current traumas of the land of Jesus’ birth.

Action: Pray for Christians in cut-off Bethlehem this Christmas – http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/bethlehem-christmas