We often miss the power of Advent because, for so often, we are consumed by the demands of December. For many these demands mean additional busyness, for some - family pressures, yet for others the lead up to, and the season of Christmas, bring a loneliness rarely acknowledged and recognised by the busy world around us. The busyness may lead us to be distracted from having an Advent season that truly prepares us for the celebration of Christmas, with all its meaning.
The reflections which will follow over the next 4 weeks offer daily thoughts, prayers and meditations for Advent. I hope you will find the resource simple and friendly, challenging yet encouraging.
There is no need to rush or to do anything. It encourages you to “be” - to be the person God cherishes—for you to be yourself.
Advent is almost countercultural—the secular world around us is focused on buying and selling, rushing and worrying. It is one of the most stressful times of the year—guilt abounds in relation to visits, gifts:- “did I give as good as I got?”. “Did I invite the right people or miss someone out?” “Do I send a card to them? They didn’t send me one last year!” So much guilt and fear as we celebrate the birth of one who came to take away our guilt and fear.
What better time than Advent for us to become more aware of Christ’s coming to us. May each day of this Advent draw us more fully towards God with a renewed appreciation of Jesus’ presence in our lives.
3 comments:
Yeh - I was hoping you would do this. Thanks so much for spending the energy and time - inspite of your illness.
Thank you
Thanks Jackie. Looking forward to more, and will make a concerted effort to take a few minutes out each day to pray about it.
Sara
We're trying to make time for our own Advent reflections this year. if I can work out how, I'll share some of our prayers and reflections on here!
Jan
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