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The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2This time of Advent, we pray for the world, that it will be ready for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, when He comes in glory. We pray for peace, we pray for justice, we pray for those who are exploited, the poor preyed upon by the rich, the weak put down by the strong. With Mary we pray: He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.I don’t have to remind you that we give grateful thanks to God for sending Jesus into the world to save us from sin and ourselves. We pray that the world will see beyond the tinsel and feasting and turn to worship the King in the stable.We pray for the children and families that will receive the toys that we have collected for them. We pray for that they will find the love and friendship that is tucked inside the presents, and know that we care for them, even though we don’t know who they are.We pray for all the special Christmas Services, Wreathing, Carols, Christingle and all the things going on around them. We pray for all those who don’t normally come to Church, that they will find a welcome and an inclusion, so that they feel at home in their Father’s house. We pray for families coming home for the celebrations, that they will renew old friendships and find new ones.And, in a different tone, we pray for all who find Christmas and all other annual celebrations, just too much to bear. We pray for them to find peace, that peace which only God can give, being held in His arms in their hurting. We pray for their healing, of body, mind and spirit, that they may come through their difficulties and out into the light of Christ.Today, in the town of David, a Saviour has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:11
DECEMBER 25 NEWSLETTERJulie Writes...Dear Friends,On Sunday we will enter the season of Advent with all its preparation and expectation. It’s easy to become lost in the frantic activity preparing for the big day! But Advent challenges us to do more than that. Rather like Lent we are encouraged to take stock, to look at how prepared we are, not just to meet the infant Christ but for that final advent, Christ’s final coming. In our Creed over Advent we’ll say those words from Revelation, ‘Come Lord Jesus.’ In our readings we’ll hear much of being prepared for that time.On Tuesday I attended Bishop Ruth’s study day for clergy. There was a mixed programme, but revisiting the rule of life was one of the sections which has stayed with me. It’s a good few years since Bishop Paul introduced this and we’ve been dutifully including it on our service sheets ever since. The question at the study day was which of the six actions do we find the easiest and which is the bigger challenge. I’ll leave you to ask yourself that question too. In Advent maybe we could spare some time to revisit them – the 3 inward actions; pray, read, learn, encouraging us in our journey towards Christ and the outer 3; tell, serve, give, send us out to witness to Christ. Many folk like to take on an Advent read, there’s a good selection at the cathedral bookshop, I picked up a couple last week. The national Church has also produced some online reflections which you can sign up for free of charge or they are available to buy as a booklet. Here are the links-Reflections via email: Sign up to our Christmas reflection emails and receive daily messages straight to your inbox. Our daily emails will offer Bible readings, short reflections and a practical challenge, as well as prayers linked to weekly themes.Downloadable reflections for 11-15 year olds: Following the same themes and Bible verses as our Advent reflections for adults, these bitesize daily reflections for young people written by Lucy Rycroft can be downloaded in full colour or black and white.Daily reflections via Everyday Faith app: You can read and listen to daily Advent and Christmas reflections from 1 December through the Everyday Faith app, the daily devotional app from the Church of England, which is available to download here.Women of the Nativity: A collection of nine imagined stories told from the perspective of women, written by Paula Gooder, recreating the events of the Nativity. Listen here.I’ve signed up so it would be good to hear what you think, maybe over our coffee before or after the services. We have a full programme of services and activities, why not invite a friend to come along with you?Julie
