The Life of Jesus Advent Calendar - Day 9: The Wedding at Cana

Introduction

While many people today aren’t familiar with much of the Bible, I suspect most would still recognise today’s passage in John 2:1-11, the moment when Jesus turns water into wine. It’s a story people often joke about, imagining what a great party trick it would be, or how convenient it would be to have Jesus around for this reason alone.

I do enjoy a good glass of red wine, and according to the master of the feast this was very good wine indeed. But I want Jesus in my life for far more than the occasional miracle. I want him present in every part of my life - in the celebrations, certainly, but also in the disappointments, the burdens, and the days when things feel beyond me.

What strikes me about this passage is Mary’s instinct: she sees the problem and immediately takes it to Jesus. She may not have known what he would do - perhaps she didn’t expect a miracle at all - but she trusted him enough to bring the need to him and to tell the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” My instinct, far too often, is to try to work things out myself first, rather than turning to God in prayer for strength, wisdom, and help.

Most of all, this miracle points me to the salvation Jesus gives. Just as he rescued the bride and groom from the shame of their lack of preparation, Jesus rescues me from my sin and frees me from the guilt I carry. His kindness at Cana is a small picture of the far greater redemption he came to give.

Assembling your stocking

There isn't anything too complicated about this stocking as long as you think about the placement of the water jars before hand. There are six of them to fit on the toe of the stocking - place the ones at the back down first and layer them on top. Make sure one is accessible to the servant who will be dipping his vessel in to draw the water-turned-wine.

The templates for the stone water jars and the servants' vessels are a little fiddly - especially the wine and water parts which sit on top. If you find them too much hassle, just use coloured thread to embroider in the water and the wine.

I stitch the stone water jars down first, and then add the water.

You can watch a brief video of this stocking being assembled on my Facebook or Instagram.

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