Over the past few days, I have begun to put in orders for Christmas presents, to buy Christmas cards and to think about family yuletide arrangements. Last Saturday, the last in November, saw the turning on of the Christmas lights; equally, St Mary’s Church is getting ready for the various Christmas services.
We are all only too well aware that the build up to Christmas can easily get totally out of proportion in terms of our ‘busyness’ and our raised stress levels, and yet it is very difficult not to get caught up in the merry-go-round that is the commercial Christmas.
One or two small things then perhaps to consider:
Why not join an Advent Study Group? It is an opportunity to reflect carefully on the deeper spiritual meaning of the ‘Coming of Christ’, whilst being challenged and
inspired by others. There are still spaces on Tuesday afternoons at 2.30pm and Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm. Please let me know if you might be interested.
Alternatively you might consider reading one of the many specially published Advent Books. It is well worth a visit to the Vine Bookshop in Folkestone which has a good selection or SPCK in Canterbury.
Thirdly, St Mary’s are offering the opportunity again to purchase a ‘Star’ and to write a Christmas message to the congregation on the star. The money you save will go towards the purchase of a ‘Life-giving Gift’ - for example, school books or medical supplies in a developing country.
As we enter this season of Advent, I finish with a piece written by Oscar Romero (1917-1980)
This Is What Advent Is
Advent should admonish us to discover
in each brother and sister that we greet,
in each friend whose hand we shake
in each beggar who asks for bread
in each worker who asks for the right to join a union
in each peasant who looks for work in the coffee groves,
the face of Christ.
Then it would not be possible to rob them,
to cheat them,
To deny them their rights.
They are Christ,
and whatever is done to them
Christ will take as done to him.
This is what Advent is:
Christ living among us.
David Ridley
