Monthly Message Dec 2008/Jan 2009 - Wonderful Anticipation

Dear Friends,

Advent dawns and the world feels different this year.

The familiar rush and run of the season of preparations seems more subdued this year and there is a sense of ‘waiting’ and ‘watching’ in the air. The headline stories of economically challenging times ahead, and the many ways in which that change is beginning to be experienced, are making people cautious. And all the normal indicators of a good year, retail figures and the like, seem nervous, simply not knowing what to expect.

Waiting, watching, caution, hoping, both fearful and wonderful anticipation, the unknown future in which we are called to the challenge of faithful journeying …. these are some of the Christian themes that weave their way through the season of Advent and Christmas. They are ideas, too, that offer us a way of speaking to the present experience of uncertain times.

In waiting and watching, looking out for unfolding possibilities, in turbulent times …. there is an openness, a vulnerability, a down to earth measure of our human lives and how we are ‘in the same boat’ as all people. A certain ‘coming to our selves’ like the returning prodigal.

In cautious, hopeful, fearful, anticipation when the times ahead are simply unknown …. there is the possibility of new beginnings, surprises, rediscoveries, a return to the heart of things. Our faith often speaks of discovering more in times of less.

This advent we’ll share the journey into the darkest days of the year and feel, with renewed passion, the search for the light that will not be put out.

We’ll tell our story, of the taxation and all its tension, of a young woman fearfully bringing an unplanned child into a turbulent world and of the child who comes not to our wealth but is born into our poverty. The story in which we learn again the precious secret that God is with us and for us, in all that the world might be.

In all we share together and with our neighbours this Advent and Christmas let us hope and pray that the story of the God who loves us and is born among us in Jesus is heard and believed afresh.

Yours,

Tracey.