Sunday 30 November #Watch

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be watchful! Be alert!
You do not know when the time will come.
It is like a man traveling abroad.
He leaves home and places his servants in charge,
each with his own work,
and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.
Watch, therefore;
you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming,
whether in the evening, or at midnight,
or at cockcrow, or in the morning.
May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.

What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”  Mark 13:33-37

Readings
Psalm 80 , Mark 13:33-37 and 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Reflection

Who is God for me? What does God desire to bring to birth through me this Advent? What are the places in my life that cry out for redemption? What is my personal hope in life?

Have you ever lost something and searched and searched. So many search. So many hearts long for truth, for life and for love. It’s a longing of the heart that is not merely physical or emotional - it’s holy longing. It’s a holy longing from God and for God, who is Truth, Life and Love. It is not easy, to search and to long for God, because the fact is that we do not always know what we are looking for or who we are looking for. Some may not know they long for Him, because they don’t know Him. Some may be seeking, but can’t find Him. And others may know Him, but don’t seek Him. God is not always easily found. The good news, however, is that as we search for God, God is searching for us too. We must remember that God is not lost - we are - and Advent calls us to become aware of this Truth. We must acknowledge our need for the saving work of God and act accordingly. Advent is about seeking God, about letting God come to us. It’s about recognizing and accepting His invitation to be with us. God wants us to move beyond our fear, beyond our own resistance or shame or guilt or rejection and let ourselves be who we are.

Let us watch and be alert for his coming..

Alleluia, alleluia.
Show us Lord, your love;
and grant us your salvation.
Alleluia, alleluia.

Prayer

O Holy Word, Come to me today as you came so long ago and dwelt among us in the flesh, in the person of Jesus. You have gifted me with the power of words which I can use to build up or break down, to sow love or hatred, healing or hurt. May the spirit of Jesus guide my words, that they may be used to create rather than destroy, that they may be used to further the work and the hope of building your realm of peace and justice. Amen. 

 

Advent Reflections 2014 - Introduction

Advent – Longing for the Lord

As the days grow shorter and colder throughout December, we await the promised Light of the World, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas. For
centuries, the Church has set aside the four weeks before Christmas as “Advent” time—a season of expectant waiting. For us, Advent’s reflective, hopeful mood can easily get overshadowed by the holiday season’s relentless details and events.

The Season of Advent celebrates the beginning of the liturgical church year. It begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day and ends Christmas Eve. This year Advent begins November 30th.   Advent comes from the Latin word for “arrival” or “coming” and is marked with the spirit of hope, preparation for and anticipation of the coming of the Messiah.  The Advent liturgy resounds with the longing cries of the Hebrew prophets, the voice of Jesus and John the Baptist's preaching that the Lord is near. Their message continues to resound today through the dark days of winter.

I hope you will find this book an oasis in the midst of the season’s activities; a source of grounding and inspiration as you prepare for Christmas. The book is a collection of reflections for Advent which are based around three and sometimes four scriptures each day.

You can also have a hard copy printed resource of the Advent reflections for the price of £2 available from the circuit office.

In addition at the end of the booklet you can find the Advent liturgy being used throughout the circuit this year if you would like to use this in your own homes for personal reflections.

May you have a blessed Advent and Christmas

Rev Jackie Bellfield