Page 71 - November 2017

Tel: 01485 540620 email: editor@townandaround.net Hunstanton Town & Around November 2017 71

Just a thought…..

I will begin this thought with questions. What does Advent mean to
you? Does the thought of Advent excite you or does the thought of
Christmas looming with all that it entails turn you off.? Have you
thought what impact Advent can make in your faith journey?
“ADVENT is the consecration of waiting in our lives,” writes Maria
Boulding in The Coming of God (Canterbury Press, 2001). “Some
things cannot be skimped or hurried. . . . Faith can demand long, patient
waiting, when nothing seems to be happening.”
The Advent meditations familiar to us speak of the darkness before
dawn, the hidden germination of the seed in the earth, the hope for
things not seen, a profound engagement with the need to walk by faith
and not by sight. The trouble is that all around us Christmas has
already arrived; we see Christmas well before its arrival. Decorations
going up, mince pies being sold, cards and presents waiting in shops
for us to buy; the din of Christmas is already beginning to shut out the
Advent story. Even advent calendars with any kind of Christian
meaning are few and far between.
In this merry go round of Christmas we need to keep Advent stillness
within ourselves; to take stock of the amazing gift that is being offered
to us in the coming birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I know you will hear this many times over the next few weeks, but
it is a most wonderful passage of scripture, a piece of poetry by the coming of the one who has, who does and who will continue to bless
pregnant Mary that surely must inspire us all in making more of the you and will do great things for you.
advent story:- So take time, sit still, feel the anticipation of what is to come and
“My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my prepare yourselves for the birth of the Son of God.
Saviour, 48 for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his O come, O come Emmanuel, Redeem thy captive Israel O come, O
servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 come, thou Dayspring bright! Pour on our souls thy healing light;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” Dispel the long night’s lingering gloom and pierce the shadows of the
(Luke 1: 46 – 49) tomb.
Ponder awhile on these words; be uplifted and be prepared for the Steve, Rev Steve Oliver, Methodist Church