Tag Archives: Mary

Reflection: Uncertainty on Christmas Eve

Posted on December 24, 2021 by Avril Hannah-Jones

Now Omicron has happened and finally, after almost two years, I know not to make any predictions at all. I have not only no idea what 2022 will bring, I have no idea what will happen tomorrow. But, really, that has always been true. We may think we live in a stable, predictable, world, but at every moment the unexpected can shatter it. Continue reading →

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Sermon: Small and insignificant

Posted on December 18, 2021 by Avril Hannah-Jones

Reflection for North Balwyn Uniting Church 19th of December, 2021 Micah 5:2-5a Luke 1:39-55 This week we were finally able to hold a memorial service celebrating the life of Marcelle Maisey. Jenny Preston presided, and she preached on the Bible … Continue reading →

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Sermon: The faith and generosity of Hannah

Posted on November 13, 2021 by Avril Hannah-Jones

Both Hannah’s and Mary’s songs are deeply political songs about the way God wants the world to be; a world in which the hungry are ‘filled with good things’ (Luke 1:53), in fact the ‘hungry are fat with spoil’ (1 Samuel 2:5); a world in which God lifts the needy from the ash heap to sit with princes (1 Samuel 2:8) while the proud are brought down from their thrones. (Luke 1:52) Both Hannah and Mary sing of a world overturned. Continue reading →

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Reflection: Fighting on God’s Side

Posted on December 19, 2020 by Avril Hannah-Jones

It is because we know that God has shown strength with his arm; has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; has brought down the powerful from their thrones; has lifted up the lowly; has filled the hungry with good things; has sent the rich away empty. And so we keep fighting on God’s side. Continue reading →

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Sermon: A LOT of wine

Posted on January 26, 2019 by Avril Hannah-Jones

There is nothing sensible or moderate about the amount of wine that the guests are now able to enjoy. Continue reading →

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Sermon: Love Sunday

Posted on December 22, 2018 by Avril Hannah-Jones

In Jesus’ birth, as in Jesus’ death and resurrection, God is defeating death and hopelessness. Continue reading →

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Sermon: Hannah sings a new song

Posted on November 17, 2018 by Avril Hannah-Jones

As we remember the anniversary of Kristallnacht and grieve the murder of worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue we remember that we Christians are the younger sisters and brothers of the Jewish people and we should offer them the love and respect that older siblings deserve. Continue reading →

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Women Celebrating Justice: Reflection for the Victorian Country Women’s Association

Posted on May 31, 2018 by Avril Hannah-Jones

In 1928 when the CWA opened ‘rest rooms’ throughout Victoria it was overturning an injustice that meant that women couldn’t travel far from home. We all know how important it is for women to have access to toilets; even today some girls leave school when they start menstruating because they don’t have access to water and toilets. So well done to those very first members of the CWA! Continue reading →

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Sermon: Mary the Magnificent

Posted on December 23, 2017 by Avril Hannah-Jones

There’s no doubt that Mary and Jesus are mother and son; both of them are radical re-makers of the world. Neither of them is particularly meek and mild. Continue reading →

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Sermon: Lighten our darkness

Posted on November 14, 2015 by Avril Hannah-Jones

We live in a world in which it can be hard to hold on to hope, hard to see signs of peace, a world that appears to be one of sorrow and hatred rather than joy and love. Continue reading →

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