Dear Friends,Wishing you a Holy and Happy Christmas-tide!In the midst of a tumultuous time, we have reached the days when we are offered a star in the night sky, the glory of angel song, and the wonder of our God coming to us as a child.I pray that you will find in the mystery of Christmas the particular peace and joy that you need and God wants to share with you this year.For anyone who is not able to get to church there is plenty available to watch at home. BBC television and radio have services through the afternoon and evening, and into tomorrow. The Church of England website has details of a Midnight service at which the Archbishop of Canterbury will preach streamed on various platforms.I will send both this reflection and a later one for Christmas Day. As in church the prayers are the same in each but the readings and my reflection are different.I hope to send some images of the crib in St Mary’s too. The church will be open for prayer through this afternoon (2-4pm) and I will carry in my prayers there all who are unable to be in church this year, praying that you will know the truth of the Incarnation – that God is with us - in a very special way this year. Be assured, God is with us in the everyday places we find ourselves, in the love we feel for those we care about, in the communion in prayer that we share with all Christians worshipping around the world this night, and tomorrow, God blessSamantha
Dear Friends, Here is the Advent Wreath with its four candles now lit, as we draw close to Christmas. It seems appropriate to send out this image of strengthening light, on this the shortest day of the year. From today the light strengthens and the days lengthen. Perhaps its a good reminder that the natural world keeps its rhythm, and the turning of the Christian calendar offers us the light of God's presence through whatever life sends. I wrote all that I sent out for Sunday before the announcement of changes to Christmas guidance, which has disrupted many plans and caused a lot of dismay, heightened anxiety and sadness. My heart goes out to you, if you are struggling with disappointment or worry. The new guidance does not require us to change the plans for Christmas services - and for many it will still be a great joy to be able to celebrate the birth of Jesus in church. Nevertheless, I am also grateful that the Archbiship of Canterbury has expressed his solidarity with any who feel too vulnerable to come to church at this time, encouraging their decision to stay at home. When we celebrate the Incarnation we celebrate the truth that God is with us, that nothing separates us from his love - and that our prayers and praises from home are a way of placing our trust in that love, and knowing God's presence through all that we experience. As the prayer at the wreath says, may God help us to bring love and healing to each other and all those around us, in kind words, thuoghts and deeds, through the coming days. God bless, Samantha
<div>Dear Friends,We come to the final Sunday of Advent and enter into the last days of waiting and watching for Christmas light. I suspect many of you will be managing a mixture of feelings this year as the news brings conflicting views on how best to celebrate and we try to judge what is wise for ourselves, our loved ones and our wider community whilst still keeping a sense of Christmas.At its heart, what we celebrate at Christmas is that “God is with us”. As the Archbishop of York said on radio four this week, God comes not as a manifesto or a set of rules and guidance but as a person. I would add, as a tiny baby. Into the midst of our fragility, Jesus comes in his own fragile way, and yet, what wonder that crib scene still holds! If you are wondering about how to spend Christmas can I encourage you to include in your plans a time to be still and quiet, just as you would need to be in the presence of a tiny baby; to make it an intentional part of your Christmas celebration to find the gift in the simplicity of God’s arrival among us, this year when so much has been stripped back.If you are planning to come to services, please remember to let us know.Go to lovelynvalley.co.uk to book for the Farmyard Nativity and Carols at 4pm on Christmas EveCall 01598 752113 and follow the guidance for attendance at St Mary’s Lynton at either Midnight Mass 11pm or on Christmas Day at 11am Christchurch Parracombe are hosting a gathering in their churchyard at 5pm tomorrow (20<sup>th</sup> Dec)Lee Abbey are leading (Covid Secure) Carol Singing through Lynton from 4pm tomorrow too- so if you live in Lynton do keep an ear out and come to a door or window when you hear carols!God bless, Samantha PS You may also be interested to visit the Convent Sisters' new website specifically for the community based here in Lynton: www.marymorningstar.co.uk</div>
Dear Friends, The gospel for this Sunday takes a few lines from the beginning of John’s Gospel, a few lines from the wonderful prologue that we hear at Christmas. The words for this week describe John the Baptist as the “witness to the light”. The growing number of candles in our Advent Wreath bring an ever-strengthening light as we draw closer to the mystery of Christmas, even as the daylight shortens towards the solstice. As we count down with our candles, it is good to remember that around the world the Jewish community is also celebrating the faithfulness of God by counting lights through their festival. The candlelight and its modern counterpart in Christmas lights, the light of a fire: at this time of year all these lights can evoke something deep in us that is joyful and resilient even at the end of a difficult year, and as things get chilly and dimpsy. This Sunday is traditionally called “Gaudete” Sunday (Rejoicing Sunday), a day for finding joy in God’s faithful promise to come to us and save his people. I hope that the lights around us at this time will be little signs of hope, that kindle in our hearts the light, life and love which is a cause for rejoicing. Tomorrow (Sunday 13th) I am going to send out details of where and when services and gatherings will take place to celebrate Christmas across our Mission Community. God bless Samantha
