a partner church in the WOLDSBURN benefice
CHURCH AT KIRKBURN
CHRISTMAS IS COMING ...........
December 2010
It’s nearly here again! I don’t know about you but it hardly seems a year go since last Advent and Christmas, what a memorable time especially in view of the snow and frost, a real lesson
for a “townie like me. Advent is a time of preparation, anticipation, and expectancy. I have often said it is a time of Golden Faith in the certain truth that our deepest longings for God when our Lord fulfils his promise to come and make all things new. The colour purple symbolises this sober expectancy for, although not a time of penitence like Lent. Advent is serious and requires serious prayer and reflection. It follows, therefore, that fairy lights, trees. ‘trimmings’ are out of place apart from school carol service when lights are switched on and after which are switched off until December 24th when, as far as “Retail Faith” is concerned, Christmas is over. The feast itself is a celebration of God’s love towards our world, so much so that he came to share in it, all its joys and sorrows from birth until death as well, with us. We celebrate his love and his purpose for us, ‘FULL AND ETERNAL LIFE’, Christmas, it is said is for children, it is for all God’s children. We, through baptism are part of his family with a special responsibility to tell of his love for other children who, at this time, are not yet baptised. Yes, God’s love is for everyone.
People sometimes speak of their “Church Family” as if God loves them more than others who do not go to that particular building. Some also speak in fanciful terms about Christmas as if its truth is tinselled and bright for the darker days of winter . These notions are incorrect. The universal generosity and love of God lie at the heart of Christmas. The Collect speaks of us being born again as God’s children through the grace of incarnation (God made flesh) and prays for daily renewal of that grace through the power of the Holy Spirit.
If you need a prayer to reflect upon during Advent, just read that Collect for Christmas Day
and prepare to celebrate your life as his special gift to you.
for a “townie like me. Advent is a time of preparation, anticipation, and expectancy. I have often said it is a time of Golden Faith in the certain truth that our deepest longings for God when our Lord fulfils his promise to come and make all things new. The colour purple symbolises this sober expectancy for, although not a time of penitence like Lent. Advent is serious and requires serious prayer and reflection. It follows, therefore, that fairy lights, trees. ‘trimmings’ are out of place apart from school carol service when lights are switched on and after which are switched off until December 24th when, as far as “Retail Faith” is concerned, Christmas is over. The feast itself is a celebration of God’s love towards our world, so much so that he came to share in it, all its joys and sorrows from birth until death as well, with us. We celebrate his love and his purpose for us, ‘FULL AND ETERNAL LIFE’, Christmas, it is said is for children, it is for all God’s children. We, through baptism are part of his family with a special responsibility to tell of his love for other children who, at this time, are not yet baptised. Yes, God’s love is for everyone.
People sometimes speak of their “Church Family” as if God loves them more than others who do not go to that particular building. Some also speak in fanciful terms about Christmas as if its truth is tinselled and bright for the darker days of winter . These notions are incorrect. The universal generosity and love of God lie at the heart of Christmas. The Collect speaks of us being born again as God’s children through the grace of incarnation (God made flesh) and prays for daily renewal of that grace through the power of the Holy Spirit.
If you need a prayer to reflect upon during Advent, just read that Collect for Christmas Day
and prepare to celebrate your life as his special gift to you.
www.churchatkirkburn.org,uk page 145 christmas is coming ...Rector 25/12/2010 3/11/2011