The season of Advent marks the four Sundays before Christmas. Advent literally means ‘Coming’, as we look for the coming of God amongst us. We begin to think about the amazing reality of God breaking into history – coming into our world – coming first as a baby in Bethlehem, but also looking for His ultimate coming, when Christ will return to earth and inaugurate the Kingdom of God.
Advent is a season of challenge, which considers the hefty themes of death, judgement, heaven and hell – not easy subjects for us come to terms with, but ones which remind us of our mortality and the transience of life. But they remind us that we worship a Lord of time and eternity. We live with a foot in two time zones simultaneously – here and now; there and then. Perhaps the most important ‘coming’ that we should remember is the coming of Christ into our hearts and lives right now, as we turn to Him in faith and trust.
‘Come to my heart, Lord Jesus. There is room in my heart for you.’
December, December,
A month to remember,
A month full of darkness and light,
A month full of rushing
And sharing and hoping,
A month full of one special night.
(Daphne Kitching)
Generous Father,
at this busy time of year, help us to remember the important things. In all the rush of sending cards and giving presents may we make time to be still, to acknowledge your sending and giving of the greatest gift of all, Jesus. Thank you that he didn’t stay in the stable in Bethlehem but lived and died and became the Saviour of all who put their trust in him. May we receive afresh the gift of your presence with us in Jesus, now and for ever, with great thankfulness. In his name, we pray. Amen.
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