THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK - From Alan -4th December 2025“Advent is not just about waiting for Christmas; it’s about waiting for Christ with purpose and faith”So Advent is here, and everyone starts to get excited because … they can start opening their Advent Calendars. But what actually are Advent Calendars about. They are (or rather were) designed as a means of counting down to Christmas and started out as a German tradition. The original Advent Calendars contained bible verses or pictures and were focussed very much on the meaning of Christmas. They were very much a means of building excitement for the coming of Jesus. It wasn’t until the 1950s that they started to contain chocolate, and not until 1970s that Cadbury started mass producing them. It wasn’t actually until the 1990s that demand reached such a height that continuous production was needed.Now Advent Calendars have gone further and beyond containing chocolate with many produced containing perfume, pet treats, decorations and even alcohol, a further, testament to the commercialisation of Christmas and firms looking to entice more money out of us. Before, however, someone thinks baa-humbug and calls me a grinch, I am not so much criticising people for buying advent calendars, I am really just trying to suggest there is actually meaning behind them and perhaps trying to focus on what is important about them.Ultimately, they are about the countdown to Christmas, the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus, and Advent means coming – the coming of the Lord. Advent is actually the start of our liturgical year and generally we focus on preparing for the celebration of the birth of Christ. We all start (at different times) to prepare our homes, churches and workplaces with decorations as we prepare for a great celebration. At the same time it is also a message and visual reminder that Christ is coming. Just like many verses in the old testament directed people to the first coming of Jesus, Advent reminds us that Jesus is coming back. There is a Spiritual Significance. It’s a call to slow down, reflect on God’s promises, and cultivate hope, peace, joy, and love - values symbolized by the Advent wreath’s candles. As someone once said (or wrote) “Advent is not just about waiting for Christmas; it’s about waiting for Christ with purpose and faith”The true meaning of Advent challenges us to look beyond the chaos of the holiday season. It’s a reminder that preparation for Christmas isn’t just about decorations or gifts—it’s about preparing our hearts. Advent offers a remedy: a season to realign with what truly matters. By embracing Advent’s call to reflection and hope, we can enter Christmas with renewed purpose. Whether through lighting a candle, reading a scripture, or serving others, the true meaning of Advent transforms the season into something sacred.Alan Johnston, Licensed Lay Minister.
The Parochial Church Council for Holy Trinity Acaster Malbis agreed to donate £300 to each of the following four charities:Doctors of the World: https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/Riding Lights Theatre: https://www.ridinglights.org/St Mungo’s (homelessness charity): https://www.mungos.org/NSPCC (Children’s charity): https://www.nspcc.org.uk/Thank you to the congregation for your generosity in making this gesture possible.
Introducing Amy!I am delighted to be joining ABC and AAA Churches as your new Children, Youth and Families Worker. It is a real joy and privilege to step into this role. I’m excited to get to know each of you—children, young people, families and the wider church community further, although having lived in Askham Bryan for nearly fifteen years, I do feel I know some of you quite well already!As a mother of three living within the villages, I am keen to create spaces where young people feel valued, encouraged and able to grow in faith, friendship and confidence. I look forward to partnering with you as we continue to build a loving, Christ-centred environment where all generations can flourish together.Please say ‘hi’ if you see me around, I’m always happy to chat!27th November 2025
