This Sunday we get just a little bit closer to that crib scene. The schools have broken up for the holidays, people are starting to sign off from work, others are cramming in a quick few days away, some are making sure that they get everything they need sorted before next week. Somethings have got in the post, others haven’t. Christmas parties, end of term parties and the first sounds of carols being sung are all happening and as we do so, we creep a little bit closer to the manger.
I was thinking about that scene at this particular point in advent. That empty manger. I want to stay there just a little bit longer although I know that the energy of Christmas is just around the corner. But right now the crib remains empty. It is ready to receive the people that we know. It is ready to welcome Mary and Joseph, to be the place of donkeys and camels and sheep. It is ready to receive the shepherds and the magi. It is ready to welcome Jesus. But am I ready? Am I ever ready?
I want to be ready in so many ways, I want to be ready with all the practical things that go with this Christmas season but what I really need is to be ready to receive and learn again from all the people that journey to Bethlehem. To listen and understand why they came to this place and what they bring and what it cost them. I need to be ready to learn again the songs of hope and love. I hope and pray we will use these last days before Christmas to be ready to receive “The Emmanuel”, God with us.
Worship for this weekend – Sunday 18th December
10am – Guide Toy Service – St Marys
10.30am – Holy Communion with Hymns – All Saints
6.30pm – Carols by Candlelight – St Marys
Looking to the weekend ahead please join us for
The Week Ahead
Wednesday 21st 09.00 – Celtic Morning Prayer at All Saints Church
18.30 – Carols around the Yew Tree at All Saints Church
Thursday 22nd 10.00 – Holy Communion at St Mary’s Church
Christmas Eve 16.00 – Family Carols at St Mary’s Church
19.30 – Carols by Candlelight at All Saints Church
23.30 – Midnight Mass at St Mary’s Church
Christmas Day 08.00 – Holy Communion at All Saints
10.00 – All Age Christmas Communion at St Mary’s
10.30 – All Age Christmas Communion at All Saints
May you all know the coming of Christ in this week ahead, his love and joy and peace as we creep closer to the crib.
Advent Blessing
Lizzie
St Mary's, Fishponds 