Dear Friends
It seems hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner! I don’t know about you but each year I feel as if Christmas suddenly creeps up on me and catches me by surprise! I know it’s coming (of course) but nevertheless once November arrives it feels like everything all of a sudden takes on an increasing pace and before I know it we are into Advent and December and there is no stopping the Christmas rush!
But that’s why it is so important that we take the season of Advent seriously. For Advent is meant to be about creating the space for us to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Jesus at Christmas, and indeed to prepare ourselves for His Second Coming – whenever that might be. But how do we do that in the busyness of December? One of the things I have always found helpful is to go on retreat prior to the beginning of Advent. This year will have been no different and by the time you read this I will have returned from time at the Sheldon Centre in Devon (https://www.sheldon.uk.com) where I will have been on a silent retreat exploring the four last things – the traditional Advent themes of death, judgement, heaven and hell. If all that sounds a little morbid (!), then let me remind you that because of Jesus’ coming into the world and his subsequent death and resurrection, we do not need to fear those things. As the final verse of that great carol, ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’ says:
‘Mild he (Jesus) lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth’
So, as you begin Advent this year, may I encourage you to carve out some space (at home or at church) to reflect on what Jesus has done for you by coming to earth, being born as a weak, vulnerable baby and eventually dying on a cross and then rising to new life. For Advent not only prepares us for Christmas but also for Easter. For unless Jesus was born, he could not live, die and rise again. So, as we prepare to celebrate once again the mind-boggling mystery of the Incarnation – God made flesh in human form -let us also think about those we can invite to share in the Christmas season with us. Bishop Paul is offering a challenge to all in the churches of our diocese to think and pray for a number of people who we can invite to our Christmas services this year. If we can all bring one person to church this Christmas, what a special gift that would be! If you would like further information about the challenge, please visit https://www.ruleoflife.org.uk/courses/our-bring-one-friend-challenge/
May I wish you and your family a thoughtful Advent, a peaceful Christmas and a hope-ful New Year
Jeremy Tear
Pioneer Team Rector
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