From the desk of the Vicar winter 2009

With Advent upon us, the countdown to Christmas has started. In the midst of preparations for all the season’s festivities, it’s easy to get distracted from the real meaning of the season – the real heart of what we celebrate during Advent, because Advent is more than chocolate advent calendars (nice though they are!), and it’s more than just tinsel and decorations. So what is Advent about? The answer can be found in Revelation 1:7, in which we read: Look, he [Jesus] is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him.

The return of Jesus – his second coming to earth – this is what Advent celebrates. The question is, do we live our lives with expectant hearts that Jesus is going to return someday, or have we allowed the season’s festivities to distract us and push this truth to the back of our minds? In reality there should be nothing more important than longing for Jesus’ return because his return means an end to death, an end to suffering, and an end to evil’s grip on this world! Hallelujah!

However, accompanying his return is the reality that humankind will be divided – those who love God from those who choose not to. As such, we all need to share together the responsibility of making sure we use this time to invite people to come and hear God’s words of truth and love – words that came to life in a manger – words of life that were nailed to a cross – words of life that defeated death and rose victorious – words of life-changing power. These words have shaped, and continue to shape, the world we live in, and they will do so until Jesus, who is the word of life, comes again.

This Advent time, can I encourage you to bring your family and friends to learn about this revolutionary earth-shattering word of life – the word of life ‘who became flesh and dwelt among us’ (John 1:14) – the word of life who will ‘come again in clouds with great power and glory (Mark 13:26).

With Advent blessings,

Timothy