Room at the Table - Week Two
December 07, 2025
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Finding room
Harmony and flourishing
A week on the transformative power of belonging; on the life-changing power of finding room, finding a place, and finding harmony.
Seeds to sow: What helps you to feel at home?
Additionally the group could reflect on the Advent short story that will be released each week of the theme at sanctuaryfirst.org.uk/blog
Read 1 Samuel 1: 1-28
Finding room for Hannah.
Many of us find ourselves like Hannah at this time of year. Pacing around, out in the cold, on edge, feeling like we don’t fit or belong. The intense materialistic spectacle of the season can magnify the isolation we already feel through hardship, loneliness or bereavement. It can put pressure on us to feel the fulfilment, purpose, and roles being sold to us.
But God wants you to know there is room for Hannah, and her son, and there is room for you! None of us are left out in the cold – there is room at the table!
Q: What words and phrases strike you in Hannah’s story?
Q: What echoes or similarities do you see between Hannah and Mary, mother of Jesus? And what parallels does Hannah have with people living on the margins in our world today? Who are modern-day Hannahs?
Read Psalm 72
Finding room for peace.
At the table of our Lord Jesus Christ we find room for peace, justice and mercy.
Q: Which is your favourite verse in this psalm? And which verse do you find the most challenging?
Q: Who are the poor and vulnerable who are trying to find room this Advent? How can room be found for the vulnerable, the oppressed, the displaced and the victimised this winter? What part can we play?
Read Luke 1: 26-38
Finding room for God on earth.
Through Mary, room was found for Christ in humanity. This Advent let’s remember the courageous openheartedness of Mary who agreed to carry Christ into the world.
While Gabriel’s news is going to turn Mary’s world upside down he is at pains to reassure her. He tells her not to be afraid and answers her questions.
Q: What do we learn about God’s nature in this reading? And what do we learn about Mary herself?
Q: Inspired by Mary, what brave and welcoming things can we do this Advent?
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