Weekly Update – 23rd November

This coming Sunday we are focussing on Christ the King, when we celebrate everything we have learnt from scripture about the nature and character of Christ.

It is also the last Sunday before Advent, so therefore next week is Advent Sunday when we start our preparations for the Christmas season.  Each Sunday and each week of Advent allows us to reflect on the events leading up to the birth of Christ.   To start our journey through Advent we have an All-Age Service of Worship.  Please come and start your Advent preparations.

Thinking about Christmas reminds me of the movie “Love Actually” which is a staple of Christmas holiday viewing.   The beginning and end of the film are real shots gathered from the arrivals lounge at Heathrow.   These clips showing people – friends and family – meeting, often with an emotional embrace.  The joy of reunion in their faces.   Whatever your opinion of the film these opening and closing clips remind us that Christmas is a season, more than others, with the joy of being together and sharing.  A time to share God’s love with others.

Whilst our preparations will include the practicalities of shopping for presents and food, writing cards, decorating homes etc, a focus on Advent helps us to fully prepare to welcome Christ into our hearts, alongside all else that is happening.  

 

There are lots of resources available from the Church of England to help guide us through the Advent season.  One is an app you can download on a Smartphone.  The Everyday Faith app which provides daily reflections and prayers but will include Advent and Christmas reflections you can read and listen to during the weeks ahead.

Christ the King Sunday is also known as “Stir up Sunday” when traditionally the Christmas pudding would be made.  But the name comes from a prayer which is said at Morning and Evening Prayer during the week leading up to Advent Sunday which begins “Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people..”    An invitation to be ‘stirred up’ with anticipation and purpose.

 

The next few weeks will be busy with anticipation of the joy of welcoming Christ in our hearts.

 

Almighty God,

as your kingdom dawns,

turn us from the darkness of sin to the

light of holiness,

that we may be ready to meet you

in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

 

Nigel

Churchwarden