Beneficial - NOV-DEC 2024 FINAL

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6-7

Words from nearly 3,000 years ago, which speak directly to this season (you may well have Handel’s Messiah flowing through your mind now . . .). You probably know or remember that some of the preceding words to the above are: ‘The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light’. Here is the beauty, realism and hope that runs through the Bible.

Our theme for this Advent and Christmas is ALL IS CALM, ALL IS BRIGHT. We are caught in the liminal space between the ‘now’ and the ‘not yet’. And always, most especially at Christmas, we look at the world and know that we have to bear the darkness. Yet within that is the promise that in all things there is a flame to kindle, with the emerging knowledge that it’s our lives that can do this. Advent invites us to slow down, to find the space to kindle the flame of brightness and calm as we wait for the ‘now’, the moment to welcome God’s love in his Christmas Christ-child.

Revd Philip Hawthorn Nov 2024