Church News Volume 1, Issue 5

Dear friends,

We are all well versed in the secular countdown to Christmas : cards, presents, trees, decorations, food and drink… but how do we rate on the spiritual front? Do we make as much preparation in our spiritual life as we do in our secular?

I suspect the answer is "no" for most of us. We are so busy from mid-November spending, that we have no time for thinking about the spiritual realities of what we are going to celebrate. Selecting the right present for Aunt Ethel and estimating how much alcohol and food we will consume over a two week period become our prime concern!

These things are important as part of our celebrations, but we are in danger of loosing the plot as to what it is all about!

Advent is the season set aside for us to prepare ourselves spiritually as well as allowing us time to prepare for our physical needs. It begins with a warning all need to heed - that we can be so concerned with the things of this world that we loose sight of and are overcome by the events which are to come. Jesus has promised that He will return once again to judge both the living and the dead. Advent begins by reminding us that we must be constantly ready for that terrible day.

If we make half as many preparations for Jesus' return as we do each year for Christmas then we would be on track to welcome Him. No one knows the day or the hour when Jesus will return, we are warned to be ready! All the money in the world will not secure a place in His Kingdom and pay for forgotten preparations at the last minute. The only way to be ready is to prepare now. Spend some time planning how you might gain a place in the Kingdom by the actions you take now, your words and deeds, which show you want to be part of the Kingdom.

There are many opportunities over the Advent and Christmas period to show your faith, enrich your spiritual life and show how grateful you are to God, sending Jesus His Son to earth to show His love for us. Details of services and events are given in this News Sheet. Do make the effort, so that when Jesus does return you will not have been found wanting and there will be evidence that you have made some spiritual preparations for the Kingdom.

May God bless you and your family this Christmas time as you celebrate the birth of the Christ Child - the Saviour of us all.

Your friend and Vicar,

Revd Ian M. Finn

News Letter Archive.