This Sunday we experience one of the two chief times of waiting in the Christian Church Year. Advent is a time of positive anticipation, a preparing for the joy to come. Lent, it’s sister waiting time, is thoughtful, a time of self examination yet also ultimately leading to a time of joy-but that is only reached via the suffering of Jesus’ Passion.

Yet both these periods are opportunities. They remind us of the value of active waiting, of perseverance. We may be in this process of awaiting what is to come, but it is not a passive, negative experience, it’s one of prayerful meditation and reflection, a time to be but also one to be alongside others and to be with God.

In a culture that disdains waiting, this is a radical experience, a radical undertaking. Instead of the bingeing of experiences, the rushing through bite sized chunks of life, we are encouraged to consider, to become aware and present in our own lives, in where God has placed us. We have the opportunity to ground ourselves with God, especially if we have become distracted or unsettled by the pressures of life or the challenges of a world filled with discord and suffering.

So on this first Sunday of Advent, we start the reflexive journey towards the joy and celebration of Christmas. This preparation makes us ready to fully appreciate what 5e reality for Christmas is for us and to share the journey towards it with others. Experiencing the anticipation gives the chance to discover and experience so much. Let us see where God takes us all during these next few weeks.

This weekend we have Holy Communion at 10.30 at All Saints on Sunday with Revd Diane and Mark, and the Toy Service at 10.00 at St Marys with Revd Lizzie and Revd. Kester. At 6.30 on Sunday we have the Advent Procession with candles and wonderful choral Advent music at St. Marys with Revd Lizzie and Revd Kester.

The Week Ahead

Wednesday 6th 09.00 – Celtic Morning Prayer at All Saints Church

Thursday 7 th 10.00 – Holy Communion at St Mary’s Church

Saturday 9th 2.00-2.00 – Saturday Lunches at St Marys Church

Sunday 10th 08.00 – Holy Communion – All Saints Church

10.00 – Sung Holy Communion – St Marys Church

10.30 – Service of the Word – All Saints Church

16.30 – Nativity Service – All Saints Church

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. Amen

Blessings

Rev Kester de Oliveira