Dear Friends,
We come to the final Sunday of Advent and enter into the last days of waiting and watching for Christmas light. I suspect many of you will be managing a mixture of feelings this year as the news brings conflicting views on how best to celebrate and we try to judge what is wise for ourselves, our loved ones and our wider community whilst still keeping a sense of Christmas.
At its heart, what we celebrate at Christmas is that “God is with us”. As the Archbishop of York said on radio four this week, God comes not as a manifesto or a set of rules and guidance but as a person. I would add, as a tiny baby. Into the midst of our fragility, Jesus comes in his own fragile way, and yet, what wonder that crib scene still holds! If you are wondering about how to spend Christmas can I encourage you to include in your plans a time to be still and quiet, just as you would need to be in the presence of a tiny baby; to make it an intentional part of your Christmas celebration to find the gift in the simplicity of God’s arrival among us, this year when so much has been stripped back.
If you are planning to come to services, please remember to let us know.
Go to lovelynvalley.co.uk to book for the Farmyard Nativity and Carols at 4pm on Christmas Eve
Call 01598 752113 and follow the guidance for attendance at St Mary’s Lynton at either Midnight Mass 11pm or on Christmas Day at 11am
Christchurch Parracombe are hosting a gathering in their churchyard at 5pm tomorrow (20<sup>th</sup> Dec)
Lee Abbey are leading (Covid Secure) Carol Singing through Lynton from 4pm tomorrow too- so if you live in Lynton do keep an ear out and come to a door or window when you hear carols!
God bless, Samantha
PS You may also be interested to visit the Convent Sisters' new website specifically for the community based here in Lynton: www.marymorningstar.co.uk
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