Sunday 29th November.

Welcome to the Blog!

This is the third year that I have embarked on an Advent Blog.  It all started as a way for me to try to focus myself on the real meaning of Christmas in the madness which is the run up to the big day.  But as I started to share these posts on Facebook it rapidly become something more  - a place to encourage and share with friends.  And I do sincerely thank all of you who have read these posts ( and the Lent Blog ones) over the past couple of years.   Im looking forward to this next few weeks of pondering and creating and hearing your thoughts in response.

Today is the first Sunday in Advent.  The day we light the candle of Hope in church.   

When I started surfing Google images for pictures to add to this page I was struck by how many of them were to do with either waiting for something better, or for keeping on going through adversity or about new growth/new life.   Which I suppose is what the Christmas message is all about.  It's about Jesus coming as a baby and promising to come back again.  Its about us keeping our eyes fixed on that promise of His return and believing His words to us that He will never leave us or forsake us and that He has sent His Spirit to be with us.   And its about the possibility for new life and growth regardless of the circumstances.

The Biblical notion of HOPE is not about wish fulfilment or positive thinking.  It is something much more concrete.  It is part of the package in which faith is wrapped.  It is light in darkness.  It is strength in adversity.  Hope in the word and the promises of God is crucial because without it we easily become prey to deception and lies.     For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.* Romans 15.4

The Bible is a story of hope.  It paints a picture of God's rescue plan for mankind and we can see how so much of it has already unfolded from the time of Adam until now.  Now we are in the final chapters of the story.  The tying up of the loose ends, the last act of the play where it all comes together and makes sense.  It can be hard to see how it will all play out but if we follow the trajectory of the story we can see where it is headed and we can place our hope in a happy ending.   Jesus is coming back.  He has purchased the pardon for all our wrongdoing and has made us right with God.  One day pretty soon we will stand before Him and we shall know Him.   I personally can't wait.

Lord I thank you for the hope that rises in us as we contemplate your coming and your coming again.  This advent I pray that you would focus my mind on things that are above.  Inspire and encourage me and those who read this blog so that we can be filled with hope whatever our circumstances.  Dispel the darkness of despair and hopelessness . As the world reels from the events of terrorism draw people to your light and help the church to bring your message of hope.   Amen