West Devon Methodist Circuit
~ ADVENT ~
The Candle
The candle
gives light to us,
the flame reflects and flickers,
like a spiralling shape
rising up to illuminate,
directing, upwards,
gentle and calming.
The flickering of a candle
gives a warm and a comfortable feeling,
lighting up a room,
lighting our way.
Christmas candles reflecting
a birth of a King,
reflecting our own Christian birth.
The advent candles are special.
They bring hope, joy, peace and love,
burning brightly,
showing us the way to Christmas Eve,
to a birth of a baby,
Jesus, who was born long ago,
bringing with him and in him
these words:
'I am the light of the world.'
This Christmas time, may
the light from these candles
stay with us, burning brightly
in the days to come,
lighting our way, beginning from
now to the next
Christmas Eve with even more
peace, joy, hope and love.
Thank you, flickering candles of advent light
And a faith that may be born anew.
Barbara Oakes
The greatest gift you will ever
receive will never be found under
a Christmas tree. It is far too
valuable to be stored in any other
place but in the depths of your heart.
Anon
The giving of gifts is not
something man invented. God
started the giving spree when he
gave a gift beyond words, the
unspeakable gift of His Son.
Robert Flatt
PEACE IS . . .
~ gazing at the stars with the
knowledge that you know their Creator.
Anon
GIVE THE FOLLOWING GIFTS:
To your enemy . . .forgiveness,
To your opponent . . .tolerance,
To a friend . . . your heart,
To a customer . . . service,
To all men . . .charity,
To every child . . . a good example,
To yourself . . .respect.
Author Unknown
Let's approach Christmas with an expectant hush, rather than a last-minute rush.
Anon
A PRAYER OF GIVING
Gracious Lord,
We give you our will, as Mary gave.
We give you our worship, as the shepherds gave.
We give you our riches, as the wise men gave.
We give you our work, as Joseph gave.
We give you our lives, as you gave your life to us.
In Jesus' name - Amen
REASON FOR THE SEASON
As Christians, we do not need to be persuaded of the superiority of Jesus over Santa Claus, but for interest, let's take a minute and compare the claims of "Santa Claus" and Jesus.
SANTA lives at the North Pole…
JESUS is everywhere.
SANTA rides in a sleigh …
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
SANTA fills your stockings with goodies at Christmas…
JESUS fills all your needs, all year.
SANTA comes down your chimney uninvited…
JESUS stands at the door of your heart and knocks; he only enters your life when you invite Him in.
SANTA lets you sit on his lap for a few minutes…
JESUS lets you rest in His arms forever.
SANTA doesn't really know us; all he can say is "Hello there, what's your name?"… JESUS knows our name, even before we were born. Not only does He know our name, he knows our address too. He knows our history and future.
SANTA says 'You'd better not cry'…
JESUS says 'Cast all your cares on me for I care for you'.
SANTA puts gifts under your tree…
JESUS is our gift of Eternal Life and died to pay for it.
SANTA and his little elves make toys…
JESUS makes new lives. Mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes, and builds heavenly mansions for us to live in.
SANTA makes you chuckle but….
JESUS gives the Joy that is your strength.
SANTA has a belly like a bowl full of jelly…
JESUS has a heart full of love.
All SANTA can do is Ho, Ho, Ho….
JESUS offers Health, Help and Hope.
As parents, we can still talk about the fairy tale of Santa, and still have some fun with it, but we shouldn't have to lie to ensure our children have a Merry Christmas. We exchange gifts, not because of Santa's love for us, but because of GOD'S love for us, and our love for each other as we celebrate the wonderful birthday of Jesus.
We need to put CHRIST back into CHRISTmas, since JESUS is still
'the Reason for the Season'.
Evelyn Underhill: "Letters to the Prayer Group"
Advent 1940
What is the great lesson of Advent? It is the many sided truth of God's perpetual coming to his creatures in secret and humble ways; the nearness of His saving care and energizing grace. Advent is, of course, first of all a preparation for Christmas; which commemorates God's saving entrance into history in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ.
'Whilst all things were in quiet silence and night was in the midst of her swift course: thine Almighty Word leapt down from heaven out of thy royal throne. Alleluya.'
A tremendous spiritual event then took place; something which disclosed the very nature of God and his relation to His universe. But there was little to show for it on the surface of life. All men saw was a poor girl unconditionally submitted to God's will, and a baby born in difficult circumstances. And this contrast between the outward appearance and the inner reality is true of all the comings of God to us. We must be very loving and very alert if we want to recognise them in their earthly disguise. Again and again He comes and the revelation is not a bit what we expect.
So the next lesson Advent should teach us is that our attitude towards Him should always be one of humble eager expectancy. Our spiritual life depends on his perpetual coming to us, far more than on our going to him. Every time a channel is made for Him He comes; there should always be more waiting than striving in a Christian's prayer an absolute dependence on the self giving charity of God. `As dew shall our God descend on us.'
If our lives are ruled by this spirit of Advent, this living expectation of God, they will be centred on a conscious dependence upon the super natural love which supports us: "I am not a God afar off, I am thy Maker and Friend."
Take Time ..... for ADVENT
The four Sundays in Advent have the following themes and have the listed readings associated with them.
Perhaps you would like to use the collect every day during the week and the readings for study and meditation.
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Advent 1 - November 28th
The Advent Hope - this week explores the way that Advent looks forwards in hope to the coming of Jesus, both in terms of his birth in Bethlehem and in his second coming. The week also celebrates the people of God which reminds us all who are part of the Church that we are called as disciples of Jesus.
Collect for the day
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility: so that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious Majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Bible Readings: Isaiah 2 v 1 - 5; Romans 13 v 11 - 14; Matthew 24 v 36 - 44
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Advent 2 - December 5th
Historically, this is Bible Sunday, when we think of the expression of the way of God shown to us in the Bible. The writers of the Bible pointed to God through what they said and did. We do the same today, within that tradition whereby we seek to live out our faith in the reality of the world. The Gospel reading tells us of the last of the traditional prophets, who go way back into the Old Testament, as we see John the Baptist as 'the one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord'.
Collect for the day
Eternal God, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, help us so to hear them, read, mark and inwardly digest them, that through patience and the comfort of your Holy Word we may embrace and forever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Bible Readings: Isaiah 11 v 1 - 10; Romans 15 v 4 - 13; Matthew 3 v 1 - 12
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Advent 3 - December 12th
On this Sunday we focus on the person of John the Baptist - the one who pointed the way to Jesus. 'Behold' he said 'the lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world'. John showed people the way to Jesus as a messenger of God.
Collect for the day
Almighty God, you sent your servant John the Baptist to prepare your people for the coming of your Son. Inspire the ministers and stewards of your truth to turn our disobedient hearts to the law of love; that when he comes again in glory we may stand with confidence before him as our judge; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Bible Readings: Isaiah 35 v 1 - 10; James 5 v 7 - 10; Matthew 11 v 2 - 11 (i)
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Advent 4 - December 19th
On the fourth Sunday in Advent our thoughts turn to Mary, the mother of Jesus, as we await birth of the baby who was to bring hope, not just to Mary and Joseph, but also to all the world. After all the waiting Jesus is born, but the shepherds and wise men had still to hear the good news.
Collect for the day
Heavenly Father, who chose the Virgin Mary to be the mother of our Lord and Saviour: fill us with your grace, that in all things we may accept your holy will and with her rejoice in your salvation. Though Jesus Christ our Lord.
Bible Readings: Isaiah 7 v 10 - 16; Romans 1 v 1 - 7; Matthew 1 v 18 - 25
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