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.
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
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