Pew Sheet, Sunday, 1st December 2024, Advent 1: Advent Sunday
If like me, you had been searching for a copyright-free image of an advent wreath this week, you would have found it hard to find one which shows the all-important white candle which represents Christ at their centre, as you can see from today’s image here. There is nothing wrong about that I suppose. After all, Advent is a time of waiting for the one who is to come, and if he had come already, then it really wouldn’t be Advent would it?
But as I reflected upon it a little bit more, I realised that this probably gives us a far more accurate representation of what Advent, and Christmas, means to the majority of people in our world today. For not only has Advent lost its significance as a time of penitential prayer and preparation for the coming of the Christ-child we welcome at Christmas, but it has become the forerunner to a month-long holiday which begins on Black Friday and is usually well and truly over in most people’s estimation by Boxing Day, the other distinction being that the white candle never appears or gets lit, because there is no place for Jesus in the celebrations at all.
Before you accuse me of getting all ‘Grinch-like’ and condemnatory towards those who don’t have time for ‘Church’ or for Christ at all, I am not. Many of us, me included, get caught up so much in the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations that we easily lose sight of what Advent is really for… a time to reflect on the enormity of what Christmas signifies. God incarnate come to live amongst us as Emmanuel – God with us.
And if we are not rushed off our feet trying to make sure that everything is perfect for the big day, we might also be looking at the world and wondering why any of us are celebrating given the parlous state which many parts of the world are in with fear, foreboding, and many of its nations in tumult, turmoil and bloodshed. Yet Advent is also a time for hope, especially this first Sunday, when we recall the promise given to the prophets that God’s righteousness would one day redeem the world in the shape of the one who was to come, a shoot from the line of Jesse who would usher in his reign of justice and peace.
Advent reminds us that Emmanuel has already come once, and it is this that we celebrate at Christmastime. But in today’s Gospel reading, Jesus reminds his listeners of a time when he will not come as ‘gentle Jesus meek and mild’ to a feeding trough in a Bethlehem stable, but as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords we celebrated last week on the feast of Christ the King.
We live at one and the same time in that hope which his first coming wrought for us, salvation on the tree at Calvary and in his resurrection life; but like the prophets of old, we should also live in hope for that time when he will come again to redeem the world and all of creation, reading the signs of the times, and trying not to let them wear us down, but serve the world as salt and light within it. We can only do this though, if we are rooted deep in the Father’s love for us, as the apostle Paul reminds the Thessalonians; so that when Christ comes again, we are not found wanting. This is the real purpose of Advent and the reason why it is a penitential season, not because we are preparing to celebrate an historical event over two thousand years ago, but because we await his second coming, which might be much closer than we imagine, both in our own lives, and in the life of the world. This is why we pray after the Eucharist today, ‘keep us faithful as we await the coming of your Son our Lord; that, when he shall appear, he may not find us sleeping in sin, but active in his service and joyful in his praise’.
Collect
God Almighty God,
as your kingdom dawns,
turn us from the darkness of sin to the light of holiness,
that we may be ready to meet you
in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Jeremiah 33:14-16
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfil the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.
Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Luke 21:25-36
There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in a cloud” with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’
Then he told them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees. As soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’
Post Communion Prayer
O Lord our God, make us watchful,
and keep us faithful as we await the coming of your Son our Lord;
that, when he shall appear,
he may not find us sleeping in sin,
but active in his service and joyful in his praise;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Vestry Club
Sadly, there will be no vestry club today as we do not have sufficient helpers available. If you can help with this vital aspect of our children’s work on an occasional basis in future, please speak to one of the churchwardens who will put you in touch with the team.
This week’s events
Advent Carol Service, 6pm at St Laurence this evening.
Monday
Bell Ringing Practice, 7.30pm in St Laurence. Contact Jan on 07835 461361.
Tuesday (Francis Xavier, Missionary, Apostle of the Indies, 1552)
Zoom Morning Prayer at 9am ID: 748 9970 4493 Password: Trinity or contact Didier on [email protected]
Daytime Bible Study Group (2nd and 4th Tuesdays), contact Paula on 07803 942 687 for more information.
Evening House-group contact Jo on 07803 942 687 for more information.
Wednesday (John of Damascus, Monk, Teacher of the Faith, c749)
Morning Coffee from 10.00-11.45 in the St Laurence Rooms.
Midweek Holy Communion at 12.00 noon, St Laurence Church (Canon Alan)
Thursday
Daytime Homegroup, contact Jo on 07803 942 687 for more information.
Friday (Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, c326)
Junior Choir at 6.30pm, followed by full Choir Practice at 7.30pm.
Advance Notice of Christmas Services
Sunday 15th December
- Family Nativity Service, 09.30am at St Laurence.
- Nine Lessons and Carols, 5pm at St Mary’s Addington.
Sunday 22nd December
- Nine Lessons and Carols, 6pm at St Laurence.
- Nine Lessons and Carols, 6pm at St James’.
Tuesday 24th December
- Candlelit Nativity Service with Christingles, 3pm at St Laurence.
- Candlelit Nativity Service with Christingles, 4.30pm at St James’.
- Benefice Midnight Mass, 11pm at St Laurence.
Wednesday 25th December
- Christmas Day Celebration, 9.30am, St Laurence.
- Christmas Day Celebration, 11.00am at St James’.
Pastoral Care: Call 07305 271148 or email [email protected]
Steve will be unavailable on Wednesday, so please contact Jo or George.