St Mary’s East Walton
Advent means the arrival or the coming.
Just as it’s getting darker and darker with the nights getting longer and longer, we start thinking about the light of the world;
All out of darkness there came light…
The light of the world has come among us to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light from the collect.
What does that mean, the works of darkness, the armour of light?
Read more in Advent 2022...
Does this seem a particularly dark and gloomy time of year? Or is it just me?
More than ever we need the light of the world to come among us. If He could also stop all the messages about Covid and let us reflect on what is important at Christmas, that would be wonderful too.
On the last Sunday before Advent, in our readings, Angel Gabriel visits Mary in Nazareth and following her news, Mary travels a considerable distance to see her cousin Elizabeth, also expecting her first child.
A real sign of hope when it was so needed.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months and returned home to her parents and her betrothed husband Joseph. Such courage and real strength.
This Christmas, 2020, we can still hope, we can light the candles, we can decorate the tree and know that whatever happens God loves us forever.
Read more in Sermons 2020
Rev’d Sue Martin
Isaiah 7: 1-7
Matthew 1:18-25
Image from Christmas Journeys
Advent is the season we are well into now and looking forward to Christmas, only 12 days to go! Still time to do all those unimaginable jobs that need to be done, or if you are anything like me, still time to make the mince pies and finish the shopping.
But let’s first of all slow down the advent season and take a little time to look inwards and at our hopes and fears for the years ahead,to look outwards at a world in need of hope, both in this country and abroad and to look towards God for his direction and love.
Even in the midst of this pandemic there are signs of joy as the Advent third candle is lit.
Rev’d Sue Martin
…the Sunday before Advent.
We are at the end of the church year! Like the calendar year of 2020, what a year!! Most people will be pleased to see this year behind us.
Christ the King is the last Sunday before Advent and as we reflect on his kingdom, what does it mean for us?
Is it… The living of a good life.
Serving others and our community, sharing in love and friendship, knowing God as the true and living God.
Is this where we can start to get close to the kingdom of God.
Is it for us to find, and for us to be part of?
The good thing is that every day we can help others.
We can stop for a minute and help.
We can show someone love and friendship.
More thoughts on Sermons 2020…
Rev’d Sue Martin
Four weeks of preparation and getting ready! That’s a long time even for those, like me who are not that organised, all those endless jobs that need doing before Christmas are sitting in my lists, staring at me every day!
I met with a friend this week who has everything done and finished, just waiting now for Christmas to arrive! At first that seems wonderful but what would Christmas be like if we had it all completed before we had even started?
So, I give myself permission to remain unorganised, have many jobs left to do, and presents to wrap. But in the midst of that I hope to meet friends along the way to share time with, to see sparkling lights brightening the dark skies, to think of just how lucky we are and to find a time each day to thank God for the arrival of his son Jesus into the world over 2000 years ago.
A prayer…
Slow down Advent, and take time to look inwards at our hopes and fears, to look outwards at a world in need of hope and to look Godward confidant in his love and committment to the world.
Amen
Rev’d Sue Martin
Read more at Faith goesWalkabout advent
Sitting at the computer and knowing the daylight will soon be going, even though it is only 2.00pm, brings thoughts to mind of all those without a warm home.
A world full of anguish and uncertain futures.
I have just visited a parishioner, Pearl, who I should have seen much sooner. She lives on her own and wanted to pray for all those who are on their own over Christmas. Her family are close but her life has become lonely.
A prayer…
Close the door of hate, and open the door
Of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Rev’d Sue Martin
See more here…
Advent calling. Are you getting ready, what can you actually do to get ready, how much time do you need and will this have the right effect?
My Advent reading this year is with Tom Wright, a great writer of commentaries and his Advent for Everyone: A Journey Thrugh Matthew.
So get ready for the adventure ahead, or are you already Advent ready!
Matthew 3:1-10 is the place to be!
Advent content available here…
John was preaching in the Judean wilderness. By all accounts John was a wild character, clothes made from camel hair, eating locusts and honey and foretold by Isaiah that there would be a voice in the wilderness shouting in the desert.
And he doesn’t let us down! As in Matthew 3:7 he says to the Pharisees approaching, who were full of pride and righteousness.
‘You brood of vipers, who warned you to escape from the coming wrath, you had better prove your repentance by bearing the right sort of fruit!
But what about us?
Can we take ourselves away from the glitter and spending for a little while, to reflect and prepare for Jesus coming into our world?
Advent is a wonderful time of year and it does bring Jesus into many homes, through Nativities, cards, carols and the church services. We can pass on that understanding of what Christmas is actually about.
That wonderful togetherness and joyousness is a reflection of the joy that Jesus can bring into all our lives.
It isn’t a case that we have to stop enjoying the preparations, let’s all have a great time and make as much festive Christmas preparations as we can, let’s light up the churches, let’s light up the world and let’s light up our hearts with the knowledge that once again we find ourselves at this splendidly wonderful time of year.
Rev’d Sue Martin
One candle burns at the start of Advent, in St Clement’s Church, Terrington St Clement, a magnificent and pretty church in the Fens, sometimes called the Cathedral of the Fens.
The light shone in to the church as the south windows were filled with the sun’s low rays.
All out of darkness we have light….
A beautiful reminder that Advent is here and Christmas is on it’s way.
So let’s get ready!
Rev’d Sue Martin Diocese of Norwich
Posada
The Advent journey of Mary and Joseph and their donkey is experienced more and more in our churches and homes.
The tradition of Posada, which began in South America is now taking root in the UK.
Crib figures, representing Mary, Joseph and the donkey travel around a village or town stopping(by arrangement!) where there is a place for them to stay with a warm welcome.
Night after night, the figures are taken from one host home to another; hospitality, the lighting of a candle and a very simple act of worship are shared. There is time to wonder on these amazing overnight guests and to reflect on what Advent really means.
Rev’d Sue Martin
image courtesy of spiritualchild.co.uk
First Sunday of Advent December 1st
Advent literally means ‘ to the coming’ or the ‘arrival’.
Just as it’s getting darker and darker with the nights getting longer and longer, we start thinking about the light of the world;
All out of darkness there came light,…
The light of the world has come among us cast away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light from the collect.
What does that all mean, darkness, the works of darkness, the armour of light?
The world had been in a place where things were not going well, Isaiah refers to a conversation about how God has become very unhappy about what is happening on earth. No one appeared to be listening to him, so he decides to send his Son.
And now, in Advent, getting ready, thinking about Christmas day and for us as Christians seeking the message that comes with the arrival and birth of Jesus. So what do we do! How do we get ready?
Read more in Advent of Faithgoeswalkabout.org
Rev’d Sue Martin
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