24th December 

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/32abde79-db3b-4f3c-9578-f97f3f02c0d2.mp4 


Today's reading and devotional is brought to us by Paul Davies, who is speaking to us from Kenya. Paul and his wife are missionaries in Kenya with the Africa Inland Church. The reading comes from the Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians.

Philippians 2:5–11

[5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
 

23rd December 

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/c8209499-4bc2-4de5-9a6e-8ef06a3b84f5.mp4

Today's reading and devotional comes from Benjamin Pap, a missionary and pastor in Romania with European Mission Fellowship. The passage comes from the Gospel of John.

John 3:16–17

For God So Loved the World

[16] “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
 

22nd December 

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/4542c9b5-ad49-430e-bff0-bb0addfc53fb.mp4 


Muriel Macleod, who works with OMF International in Cambodia, teaching English at the government high school in the Krung district centre.
Muriel brings us some thoughts and a reading from the Gospel of John.

John 1:1–5, 9-14

The Word Became Flesh

[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4] In him was life, and the life was the light of men. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
[9] The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. [10] He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. [11] He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. [12] But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, [13] who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
[14] And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
 

21st December 

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/b488fa53-c018-4a23-a018-ca8a2298a66b.mp4

Carine MacKenzie, author of a number of Christian Children's books (Christian Focus) and wife of one of our previous contributors (William MacKenzie), will be reading and giving a short message on some verses in the Gospel of Matthew, "Out of Egypt I Called My Son."

Matthew 2:19–23

The Return to Nazareth

[19] But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, [20] saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” [21] And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. [22] But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. [23] And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.

20th December 

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/18fb7f1f-1570-47f6-ba19-c00c377f4030.mp4 

Today we have Robert MacDonald from our partner church in the Isle of Skye, Duirinish Free Church. Robert's reading and thoughts come from Matthew 2.

Matthew 2:13–15

The Flight to Egypt

[13] Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” [14] And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt [15] and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
 

19th December 

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/dff63604-ab7e-47fe-9e03-29cfafc52afd.mp4

The Rev Dr Robert Smith Jr, who joined us in Stornoway for the Lewis Christian Conference in 2019. Robert gives a reading from Matthew 2 and gives us some thoughts on the passage.

Matthew 2:1–12

The Visit of the Wise Men

[1] Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, [2] saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” [3] When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; [4] and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. [5] They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

[6] “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

[7] Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. [8] And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” [9] After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. [10] When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. [11] And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. [12] And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
 

18th December 

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/ce38c528-fc6a-4dde-a002-ad75eee5a9be.mp4 

Yesterday we heard from Joe Kirby from Off The Kirb Ministries. Today we have Emma Kirby, Joe's wife, giving some thoughts on Anna's joy, and reading the passage from Luke.

Luke 2:36–38

[36] And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, [37] and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. [38] And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
 

17th December 

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/06aa0f3b-7818-4a24-a506-b8caf600b443.mp4
 
Today we have Joe Kirby from Off The Kirb Ministries sharing some thoughts on Jesus as a light to the nations and reading from Luke 2.

Luke 2: 25–32

[25] Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. [26] And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. [27] And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, [28] he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

[29] “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
[30] for my eyes have seen your salvation
[31] that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
[32] a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

16th December 

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/6cb752d0-baa5-4f33-b70d-4964863648bd.mp4

Rev Duncan Peters picks up the devotional thought and reading for today from Luke 2.

Luke 2:15–20

[15] When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” [16] And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. [17] And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. [18] And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. [19] But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. [20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

15th December 

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/f62a162d-4560-4c78-a82a-a2b28f0931b1.mp4 


Today we have a reading and devotional brought to us by Roger Carswell. His reading comes from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 2:8–14

[8] And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. [10] And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. [11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. [12] And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!”
 

14th December 

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/3efd2014-0db6-46e4-bc34-6705f63072ff.mp4

Graham Daniels, General Director of Christians in Sport, who visited us back in September is giving us a reading and message for day 14. His reading is on The Birth of Christ.

Luke 2:6–7

[6] And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. [7] And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (ESV) 

13th December 

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/6f1b183b-eebb-4892-b112-fa5ff445f546.mp4


Today we have Anthea Owen giving some thoughts and reading a passage from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 2:1–5

The Birth of Jesus Christ

[1] In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. [2] This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. [3] And all went to be registered, each to his own town. [4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, [5] to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
 

12th December 

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/9120c638-b5db-4d70-944e-ecdcd88205fe.mp4

Nigel Kenny, Scotland Officer for the Christian Institute, brings us today's passage and some thoughts on it.

Today's reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 1:18–25

The Birth of Jesus Christ

[18] Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. [19] And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. [20] But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. [21] She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” [22] All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

[23] “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us).

[24] When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, [25] but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
 

11th December 

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/b4701099-fa40-44cc-aa20-e9a91b140763.mp4 

Today Jonathan Carswell, Chief Executive of 10ofthose, brings us a reading and message from Luke 1 at verses 67 through 79.
 

Luke 1:67–79

Zechariah’s Prophecy

[67] And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

[68] “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
[69] and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
[70] as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
[71] that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;
[72] to show the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
[73] the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
[74] that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
[75] in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
[76] And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
[77] to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
[78] because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
[79] to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.” 
 

10th December 

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/9b828fc1-ae5e-4c45-95d9-ed0d5ef3684e.mp4

Today's reading and thoughts are given to us by Martin Campbell, one of the Deputy International Directors of WEC International, and the message and the reading of the written Word comes from Thailand. Martin is reading to us from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 1:46–55

Mary’s Song of Praise: The Magnificat

[46] And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
[47] and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
[48] for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
[49] for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
[50] And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
[51] He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
[52] he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
[53] he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
[54] He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
[55] as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
 

9th December 

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/6bf75d47-1d7f-4186-8fa9-1616612f03d3.mp4

Today's reading comes also from the Gospel of Luke. Reading the passage today and giving some thoughts on it is Joyce Campbell, who alongside her husband, Martin, is involved in the work of WEC International.
 

Luke 1:26–38

Birth of Jesus Foretold

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. 

8th December 

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/cb5c9024-6fcf-4048-b58b-d3af8204319a.mp4

Today we have a message and reading from Josh Strike from Christians in Sport. We greatly enjoyed their visit to Lewis back in September and we hope you will enjoy Josh's message today.

Christians in Sport is a UK based charity that aims to reach the world of sport for Christ. We mainly work with sportspeople in competitive and elite sport.


Josh will be reading some verses from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 1: 5–17

Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” 

7th December 

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/e8c7f6cc-8c95-483f-9ff2-d9af0f5291bb.mp4


Today's reading and thoughts are by Emily Owen.

The reading is from the prophecy of Malachi.

Malachi 3:1–4

“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.

6th December 

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/fdf51c0d-ea49-4e61-8377-82123ff990b8.mp4 

Today we have a few thoughts and a reading by Jeff Townend from the Faith Mission.

Jeff is reading from the prophecy of Isaiah.

Isaiah 40: 1-5

7325865th December 

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/3475be20-f585-4004-8b68-df3a810c6674.mp4

Today's thoughts and reading are from Kay Macdonald, who supports the work of the Slavic Gospel Association, and a speaker at our ladies' conference earlier this year.

Kay is reading from the prophecy of Micah.

Micah 5: 2-5

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of his brothers shall return
to the people of Israel.
 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD,
in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth.
And he shall be their peace.

When the Assyrian comes into our land
and treads in our palaces,
then we will raise against him seven shepherds
and eight princes of men
 

4th December 

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/571413d6-ea74-413a-8467-0bcdb1eca207.mp4

Today's reading and thought is from Eric Macdonald, who is a representative of the Slavic Gospel Association. Eric is reading from the prophecy of Hosea.

Hosea 11:1-4

3rd December 

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/cf2abb3d-868a-44a3-a274-0536a3bcc7c1.mp4 

Today's reading and thoughts are from Rosie Morgan, who was our main speaker at the Prìseil Ladies' Conference earlier this year.
Today's reading is from Isaiah 7: 10-14 -
 

Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz: “Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test.” And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

2nd December 

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/58029970-4c97-4088-bd1b-757209e45d93.mp4

Today’s reading and thoughts are brought to you by William MacKenzie. William is the managing director of Christian Focus, who, in their own words, “publish books, which point people towards Jesus and help them to develop a Christ–like maturity, equipped for life, work, ministry and mission.”
Today’s reading is Jeremiah 23: 5-6:

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

1st December 

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.3270.hubb.church/f8b8105f-ade2-4dc3-ad65-dde489ff3091.mp4

Our meditation today is brought to us by Rev Dr Bob Akroyd Bob is a member of the faculty of Edinburgh Theological Seminary, teaching Systematic Theology and Practical Theology. His reading and thoughts come from Isaiah 9: 2-7 -

The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.

You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.

For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.

Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.

 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.