Advent and Christmas Greetings

A new year in the Christian Church has begun. We call this season "Advent", from the Latin adventus meaning "coming". This year it began on Sunday 3rd December and it will end on Sunday 24 December. It is a period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus, our dear Lord and Saviour. For Christians, the season of Advent serves a dual reminder of the original waiting that was done by the people of Israel (God's chosen people) for the birth of their Messiah as well as the waiting that we today endure as we await the second coming of our Lord. Waiting for the Lord gives real meaning for the Christmas feast, and real purpose for all our lives. We just need to hope and firmly trust. David writes in this Psalm 37: "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act." (Psalm 37:5). We too, will want to commit our life to Him for whom we are waiting this Advent.

There are also a lot of very young children waiting for the arrival of Father Christmas or Santa Claus. Sometimes when you are young it seems to take forever for Christmas Day to come, and the little ones often get over excited. But it eventually arrives, and children wake very early on Christmas Day to the dismay of worn out parents, I seem to remember.

Maurice and I would like to wish you all a very happy and blessed Advent and Christmas celebration, and hope that 2024 will bring you all new joy in your ongoing Christian journey.

Denise

December 2023

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