The Church season begins with the season of Advent.

Advent, which means "coming", is a season of waiting, a time of anticipation for the birth of Jesus and the Second Coming of Christ. The Church invites us to reflect on the coming of Jesus prompting the question, "Does Jesus really make a difference in our lives?". Advent is a kind of wake-up call for us to be ready to welcome the Lord in our midst. "Be awake" is a good motto for Advent for it is not only a time to welcome the birth of the Saviour on Christmas Day but also a warning to look ahead to our judgment day.

Scripture has many passages about this sense of anticipation with hope and longing for God to send a deliverer. God promised a Redeemer, (Genesis 3:14-15). The prophets, especially Isaiah, looked forward to the coming of the Saviour, (Isaiah 7:14) and other prophets such as Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Joel and Micah proclaimed that the Lord would be coming to set God’s people free. As Christmas draws near, the liturgy focuses on Mary’s annunciation (Luke 1:31-35) and Joseph being reassured by the angel to take Mary as his wife (Matthew 1:20-21). Elizabeth, Zechariah and John the Baptist feature in the Advent liturgy because of John’s later role as the herald of Jesus, the Chosen One.

The liturgy urges us to be ready, to be alert, to wait with joyous expectation and to remember that one day we will meet Christ in a final review of our lives. So how will you spend the Advent season and the run up to Christmas? Will present buying, gift wrapping and shopping dominate your family life, will you squeeze the Christ-child in between the office party and endless Christmas shopping for expensive presents? Or will you give you and your family something to treasure and come and join in the events, celebrations and services of our Parish and school?

If you can find some time to set aside for prayer and quiet reflection of the birth of the baby at Bethlehem it will cost you nothing but it will be worth a fortune and the best present you could ever receive!

With every blessing for a happy and holy Christmas.

Fr. John