Fr.Terry writes.....
©St. John the Evangelist 2004. R.Woolbar.
Preparing for Christmas
As I write this month’s news letter we are about to enter Advent, and will indeed be in the
season of Advent when the magazine is published. Advent is a time when, as I’m sure that we
all know, for preparing and getting ready for the coming of Christmas. Something which
my youngest daughter has embraced and been preparing for since August, and reckons she is
now fully prepared for. She has bought all of her Christmas presents, including her dog’s, she
has bought all of her Christmas food that
doesn’t need to be fresh, and would have had
her Christmas decorations up in the middle of
November, if only she could get to the
decorations in the loft. Sadly she wouldn’t
have been alone in this, as I spotted a house in
Brambles Farm that was lit up like Blackpool
illuminations in the middle of November, a
sight that will become more common as we
enter December. Come Boxing Day, however,
for my daughter, Christmas will be over, the
presents opened, the food eaten, and the
decorations taken down. In my daughters
defence, is this not how most of us treat the time of Advent? We focus mainly upon the
preparation of a secular Christmas, buying Christmas presents, food and putting up
decorations. Now please do not get me wrong there is nothing wrong with getting ready for
celebrating the time of Christmas, but it is a concern when our preparations supersede the very
thing that we are preparing to celebrate. Which is the celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas,
as well focusing our minds upon the coming of Christ in our lives through grace and
theSacrament of Holy Communion; and finally, to His Second Coming at the end of time.
Therefore our preparations should have all three comings in mind. Yes Advent is a time of
preparation, and it can be a time of good cheer.
©St. John the Evangelist 2004. R.Woolbar.
Preparing for Christmas
As I write this month’s news letter we are about to enter Advent, and will indeed be in the
season of Advent when the magazine is published. Advent is a time when, as I’m sure that we
all know, for preparing and getting ready for the coming of Christmas. Something which
my youngest daughter has embraced and been preparing for since August, and reckons she is
now fully prepared for. She has bought all of her Christmas presents, including her dog’s, she
has bought all of her Christmas food that
doesn’t need to be fresh, and would have had
her Christmas decorations up in the middle of
November, if only she could get to the
decorations in the loft. Sadly she wouldn’t
have been alone in this, as I spotted a house in
Brambles Farm that was lit up like Blackpool
illuminations in the middle of November, a
sight that will become more common as we
enter December. Come Boxing Day, however,
for my daughter, Christmas will be over, the
presents opened, the food eaten, and the
decorations taken down. In my daughters
defence, is this not how most of us treat the time of Advent? We focus mainly upon the
preparation of a secular Christmas, buying Christmas presents, food and putting up
decorations. Now please do not get me wrong there is nothing wrong with getting ready for
celebrating the time of Christmas, but it is a concern when our preparations supersede the very
thing that we are preparing to celebrate. Which is the celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas,
as well focusing our minds upon the coming of Christ in our lives through grace and
theSacrament of Holy Communion; and finally, to His Second Coming at the end of time.
Therefore our preparations should have all three comings in mind. Yes Advent is a time of
preparation, and it can be a time of good cheer.