My recent book “All Will Be Well” is a personal reflection about my own life told through the lens of faith and hopefulness.
I’m delighted with this publication. A must read for Christmas !!!!!!
In fairness so often we can be bombarded with negativity and bad news.
It’s sometimes very important to take that deep breath and simply trust All Will Be Well.
It’s a powerful spirituality that brings with it a deep sense of peace and contentment.
God calls us to be radiators not drainers.
God never asks us to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders.
Positive
A positive attitude creates a brighter and optimistic sense of self.
Soon we begin the liturgical Season of Advent.
Advent, anglicized from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming”, is a season observed in many Western Christian churches, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas.
It is the beginning of the Western liturgical year and commences on Advent Sunday, called Levavi.
Latin adventus is the translation of the Greek word parousia, commonly used in reference to the Second Coming of Christ.
For Christians, the season of Advent serves as a reminder both of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah as well as the waiting of Christians for Christ’s return from Heaven where he now sits at the Right Hand of God.
This is a time of preparation and indeed a time for all of us to grow in the hope that God wants us to possess in our heart.
The Prophet Isaiah foretold “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light”.
Hope
Advent is a time for all of us to grow in hope and to avail of the spiritual gifts that are truly greater than any we may long for and may not afford.
Advent is the great gift for anyone who has experienced darkness and vulnerability, which in truth is perhaps all who may read this article.
Jesus whose birth we prepare for during this time of Advent is often forgotten in the busy run up to Christmas.
Perhaps if we ponder more on Jesus our lives will change for the better in a very real way this Christmas.
Jesus is the reason for the season.
Jesus wants to plant his light and hope in the places of our stories that may be darkened and overshadowed by the bruises of life that we all carry and indeed feel at times.
Where sickness, addiction, bereavement, separation, depression and anxiety prevail Christ the Lord of light, wants to heal and transform.
Just as his birth happened in a place of poverty and humility, so too in this time of winter darkness, the light of Christ wants to shine firstly in the places of pain and uncertainty that are felt in our lives.
The more we long for God the greater his birth will be in our hearts.
The more we are in different in his presence and relevance the greater the gift of faith and fulfilment he will bless us in our lives.
Light
Christ’s light is a bright source of love and joy that is freely available for all people.
Advent Hope is brighter than any fear.
May it shine and inspire justice and fairness.
In this Advent of expectation draw us together in unity, that our praise and worship might echo in our hearts and also through our lives.
In this Advent of expectation draw us together in mission, that the hope within might be the song we sing, and the melody of our lives.
Eternity
In this Advent of expectation draw us together in service, that the path we follow might lead us from a stable to a glimpse of eternity.
Advent God,
we journey with you,
to Bethlehem’s stable
and a new-born King,
ears attuned
to the song of angels,
eyes alert
for Bethlehem’s star.
Forgive us
if on our journey
if we are distracted
by the tempting offers
of this world.
Keep our hearts aflame
with the hope
of Christmas,
and the promise
of a Saviour. Amen
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