The Curate writes………
As I write, we are quickly approaching the start of the Advent season and the build- up to Christmas. The altar frontals and vestments will all be purple, indicating a time of penitence and a time of reflection which, although in some way mirroring that other time of reflection - Lent - it has a different feel.
In the journey through Lent towards Easter, we know that before we get to the Risen Christ on Easter Day, we must suffer the desolation of Good Friday. In Advent, however, we look forward without any cloud on the horizon to that celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ coming into the world. It is as if time collapses in on itself as we at the same time recall our Lord’s first coming to Earth 2000 years ago and also look forward to that time when he will come again, in all His glory, at some unknown future point when the world will then be fully redeemed and be how God had always intended it to be.
So, what are we to do at this time of year in terms of our Christmas preparations? Yes, we may need to buy and wrap presents, send cards and order turkeys and everything which accompanies them, but more than that, we need to prepare ourselves. We should make sure that during Advent we spend a little more time in quiet reflection and with God in our daily devotions, bible reading and prayer.
After that Advent time of reflection let us plunge into the joy of Christmas; just as children dive into presents on Christmas morning. Let us, too, share in that childlike excitement and anticipation of what is to come, but let that joy be centred upon the one who gives true purpose and meaning to our lives and also gives us the true meaning of Christmas.
May I on behalf of the Vicar, myself and all the Ministry team here at St Cross wish you all a relaxing (or, at least, not too hectic!) Advent and a very happy Christmas!
Yours in Christ,
Simon
