Advent calendar 2020

Advent 13 - Friday 11th December 2020

This has been one of those years that we probably wish that we did not have to experience due to the pandemic. We will all have our own individual experiences that we have had to come through and get used to, which are too numerous to mention. This Christmas season is going to be difficult for us all. Restrictions and challenges are still there and we will have to live with them for some time yet.

However we now need to try to focus our lives on a brighter future for next year and, thankfully, there are encouraging signs, with vaccines becoming available in the coming days, that our lives will be able to find a new normal which will allow us much more flexibility and freedom in our lives.

It is as if there is a light shining at the end of the tunnel.

There was a bright light shining over 2,000 years ago, it led the shepherds to the lowly stable in Bethlehem.  It led the wise men from the east to Jerusalem then Bethlehem looking for the new born king of the Jews, seeking to worship him.

During this season of Advent we are preparing ourselves for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, and the light which shone over Bethlehem 2,000 years ago is still shining as brightly as ever for us today.

If we let that light into our hearts it will give us a bright hope for tomorrow, An inner peace which only Jesus can give, the constant joy of Jesus in our hearts because he cares for us,
the everlasting love of Jesus which will never dry up or run out.

With all that has gone on in recent months that light has continued to shine and we need to find ways to refocus our lives in these difficult and challenging times.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.

(Helen H Lemmel)

Mr Robert Esson
Session Clerk.

John 1: 1 – 5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Prayer

Heavenly Father you are the one constant in our lives and we look to you in these strange unprecedented times.
We pray that through all the gloom and darkness of our individual situations we can see your bright shining light touching our hearts and warming our souls.
It is a light which leads us forward in many positive ways enabling us to act as your disciples in our local community for the benefit of all.
Amen

Other days in the Advent Calendar