Dear Friends
This season of Advent brings with it carol services, school plays, nativity and crib services Christmas dinners, not to mention the odd drink or two. It makes for a December that is a time to be joyful and to celebrate and that is a good thing to do. With all that has happened in our troubled world over the last few months it is good that we can all look forward to Christmas and all that it offers. Hopefully the anticipation of all that might be coming our way will keep us going through the month. As a child I remember the anticipation all too well and now, with the benefit of years of hindsight, I realise that the anticipation was often well in excess of what actually occurred! Still it was always good to dream of what might be.
Why are the four weeks before Christmas called Advent in the Christian calendar? Well the word Advent comes from two Latin words that mean “coming towards” and it reminds us that we are preparing to celebrate on the 25th December the anniversary of the greatest event that this world has ever seen. Christmas Day is the day we remember the birth of Jesus Christ and it is right that we should have a really good party to celebrate that event.
One of the things that we do when invited to a party is to say “thank you” to our host and it is no bad thing for us to remember to do just that at Christmas. Not only to remember to say our thanks but to set a good example to all our family and friends, to encourage them to do likewise.
We can so easily say thank you to God for the gift of Jesus, who came to live with us and die for us, by popping in to Church over the Christmas period. Not too onerous a task for us and it does actually make us feel so much better to have said our “thank you’s” for all that we have. There are plenty of opportunities, just have a look at the list of services!
During Advent the congregation at St John the Baptist will be gathering presents to take up to Christchurch North Brixton, so that they can be distributed to those who would not otherwise receive a gift. If you would like to join with us and contribute a present I would suggest you might go and buy something that is a bit of a luxury, wrap it up and put a label on the outside indicating whether it is for male or female, child, teenager or adult. Whilst it is more difficult to think of what to get for teenagers or adults, presents for them are particularly needed! Your gift can be brought to church on any Sunday morning or left at the Vicarage but no later than 14th December. You will find that it is especially nice to give a present to a stranger without expecting one in return. Try it!!
Finally come and join us in church to say “thank you” to God and also, on 31st December come and pray and raise a glass to welcome the New Year in with us in church.
Dorothy and I would like to wish you all a wonderful Advent and a peaceful, a joyful and a very Happy Christmas.
God Bless you and all those you love this Christmas.
John Baxter