He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

The Bible verse is from the Gospel of John Chapter 1. To my mind one of the most strikingly beautiful chapters in the whole of Scripture. The words that I have chosen are verses10-13. Within those words there is that real sense that people do not want to know Jesus. In his day the people were afraid of the Roman State, they did want to receive their long awaited Messiah, yet they wanted someone who would bring about the downfall of that Roman State, not this peaceful, caring, Son of God, who spoke of love and a kingdom very different from the earthly concept. Acceptance is a word that we use often but how many of us have not always felt acceptance in a community whether that is in church, in our villages and towns, schools and clubs. As a Benefice, as a Christian family, we are encouraged by Jesus to bring others into our communities, to accept the stranger, as we should accept one other in Jesus name.

Above all though, as we come into Advent, the season of expectation, waiting for our Lord, hope awaits in our Lord Emmanuel. Hope that those who do believe in him will become children of God. This Advent and Christmas season there will be so many services, so many carol recitals and I pray that in and through them people will begin to recognise Jesus. This lovely image is by Reverend Ally Barrett. Expectation written on the faces of Mary and Joseph; may we too be filled with that expectation this Advent.