Advent is the name given to the four-week period before 25th December when people prepare to celebrate Christmas. It is often a time of frantic rushing around as we all get caught up in writing cards, buying presents, putting up the Christmas tree, and buying and cooking all the festive food.
However for Christians, Advent can also be a time of a different kind of preparation, a different kind of getting ready. It can also be about an inner preparation – a preparation of the heart and mind – a time for quiet, space, reflection, prayer and waiting – a spiritual preparation as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus – for many of us, the true meaning of their Christmas celebrations.
In order to help us enter more fully into this different time of preparation, we are holding a Parish Advent Study Course which will be focusing on the themes of time and of waiting entitled So What Are You Waiting For. The Course will begin on Tuesday 20th November and will be held in the Worship Centre. Everyone is very welcome to come along. Further details can be found below:
If being in a study group is not your cup of tea, then the Church of England has once more published 14 daily reflections to help people engage with the Christmas story. The theme this year is #FollowTheStar and the aim to encourage each one of us to follow Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the wise men to undertake a life-changing journey to Bethlehem. Each reflection includes a picture, a short Bible passage, a simple prayer and a challenge to reflect or act differently. You can find out more details and download the reflections by going to www.churchofengland.org/Christmas
We will also, of course, be holding our own Advent and Christmas celebrations at Furzebank – do come and celebrate with us!:
Sunday 2nd December, 6.30 pm – Advent United Praise at Holy Trinity Church
Sunday 9th December, 11.00 am – Christingle Service
Sunday 16th December, 6.00 pm – Carols By Candlelight with Short Heath Junior School Choir
Monday 24th December, 11.30 pm – Midnight Mass
Tuesday 25th December, 11.00 am – Christmas Day All-Age Holy Communion Service
So as you prepare for Christmas, may I wish you and your loved ones a happy and holy season; and may the peace, joy and hope of the Christ-child be with you.
